Otis College of Art and Design Reviews
Check out reviews left by other students, or leave your own review. You could win a free scholarship!
-
May
10/13/2010Reviewer is A current student here.
4 out of 4 people found this review useful. 1 of 15
Categories Comments Great for these types of students This school is great for dedicated people who haven't really decided what art major they would love to go into. (You'll have a whole year to decide.) I think this school is also great for Toy Design, Fashion Design, and Digital Media majors. The other majors are good as well, but this school is particularly good for the aforementioned majors (or so I've heard.)
Tips for prospective students * Try to get into the Honors Program. It's difficult, but quite satisfying. * It's nice to have a car, especially if you're in housing and you want to explore the city. (You might not have as much time as you like, but just in case.) * There's no official cafeteria, so learn some basic Korean words. (It'll make sense if you come here.) * Try to buy used course readers and textbooks from students, not online. (It's much cheaper this way, trust me.) * The closest art store is Graphaids, but if you have a car, look for another one. This particular Graphaids overprices their items. * Don't be a procrastinator. This school is great if you want to change these bad habits. * Keep doing what you love.
Bang for the buck The teachers will pile up a LOT of homework on you. Be prepared for sleep deprivation (yes, even as a freshman), but be prepared to learn a lot as well. You will also be spending more money on art supplies than you expect.
Am enjoying being here Since each section is small, the teacher can really help you as a unique individual. Your section mates are stuck with you in every studio class, so it's not hard to make new friends. The school itself has a pretty nice campus (though small) but I wish there was more of a artsy vibe in the buildings. Also, do not come here if you want a traditional college life. There are no extracurricular clubs and no foreign language classes. There will also not be much time to explore the city.
Am learning a lot In Foundation (freshman) year, you will be learning a lot of technical skills, but it really depends on who your teachers are. Foundation students are divided into sections, and each section has it's own set of teachers with their own style of teaching. I'm in section D, and I really like the teachers in this section. In this year, they are not necessarily teaching creativity, or rather , the amount of creative activities you will do is a tad limited. However, once you get pass the basics, it should get better.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Hi from Los Angeles, CA
07/16/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
4 out of 4 people found this review useful. 2 of 15
Categories Comments Campus Safety Safe. Otis is open 24/7 with numerous security guards. Security guards will even walk you to your car at night.
Greek Life Art School. 'Nuff said.
Clubs and Activities No such thing. The school is so small that everyone knows each other. There's really no purpose for clubs.
Great for these types of students Extremely talented, devoted, passionate, and gifted students. Otis will chew you up and spit you out if you weren't meant to do great things. You MUST be a great artist to start out with, Otis will not make you into one. Otis is ideal for the exceptional.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Cigarettes. Everyone smokes. It is virtually impossible to get away from those cancer sticks. There is a graffiti room, a student lounge with a microwave and a ps3/xbox. Otis gives out free dinners during finals week, often korean food. Honestly, around 70% of students are korean. The two most used languages on this campus are English and Korean. Never take the elevator to the second floor, unless you wish to be yelled at by other students.
Bang for the buck The best art school one can get their BFA at. Otis cranks out geniuses and the next leaders in their fields. Graduates are currently employed at Vera Wang, Anthropologie, Armani Exchange, basically everything in the design field will have an Otis Alumni behind the wheel. It is worth the extensive amount of torture and pain the student will inevitably go through.
What to do for fun What is fun?
Food and Dining Food is overpriced. 'Nuff said. The cafeteria owner takes full advantage of the fact that no Otis student has time to even cook. Although the food there is very unhealthy, it is hearty and wholesome and will probably be the only place your money will go. And will probably be your only meal of the day, unless you are fortunate enough to live at home.
Dorm Life Not the traditional dorm life. People will treasure their sleep, so please be quiet. Dorms is in the Five star luxury complex called Playa Del Oro. Comes with a 24hour fully equipped gym, sauna, lockers, jacuzzi, pool, basically everything you will never have the chance to use due to the academic rigor Otis demands of its students. RA's will demolish any hopes of partying, although it isn't as if half dead sleep deprived students will want to party.
Academic Rigor No sleep, no time for food, makeup, walking zombies of death haunt the halls of Otis. The only sunlight that these students get are when they're sucking on their cancer sticks (cigarettes) during their short fifteen minute breaks in class. Freshmen year (foundation) will be the single most hardest thing you will ever do.
Tips for prospective students Otis is notorious for Fashion Design, being the third best fashion institution in the WORLD. Digital Media is also famous, with some of the hottest concept artists in the industry; many graduates have worked on movies such as Transformers, worked for Pixar, and such. Toy designers are a guaranteed job out of college, due to Matel sponsoring Otis. There are many majors, and Otis has such a great reputation that there's really no way to fail outside of college. Unless of course, you decide to go into the blackhole of fine arts.
In three sentences A very prestigious and expensive school, hell bent on sucking dry your health and social life. A student's average night of sleep consists of probably three to five hours. So many many many hipsters.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Mollie from San Diego, CA
12/22/2010Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 3 of 15
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Otis is good for those who like to work hard and with intent. Most Otis students (at least the ones who are doing well in their classes and having fun) are dedicated and bent on learning new things.
Tips for prospective students If you were expecting a typical college freshman experience, go elsewhere because there are a lack of clubs or fancy sorority-esq activities. Otis, among many art colleges and general universities now-a-days cost both arms and a leg, so be sure you want to invest your time and money in your education. Check out plenty of loans and scholarships available here or on other websites like fastwebs.com.
Bang for the buck I came to Otis expecting an in-depth study of multiple types of art studies, particularly life drawing, which is exactly what I got. It isn't focused so much on artsy personal expression so much as it is a development of skills. With time I am noticing however we are allowed more say into the projects and am expecting next year to really kick off with personal expression and artistic input.
Am enjoying being here In your first year all the freshman are split into small class sections (I'm in section J). You will become close to a lot of your classmates which I have and am enjoying the new friendships very much. I also live in student housing and love being able to do as I please and create my own schedule (freedom is great). I do wish there could be more clubs or sports activities, something to unite the students more.
Am learning a lot The good thing about Otis curriculum is that they offer multiple classes coming from all areas of art. You will learn about painting, color theories, wood working and 3D design, life drawing and much more during your Foundation (freshman) year. You may be familiar with many things, but there is always something you will learn. Personally I am learning new things about myself, my work habits, and how I interact with the art world.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Veronica from Torrance, CA
08/26/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 4 of 15
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Hard Working, Not Complaining about working and reworking work.
Tips for prospective students Make sure you work hard and turn your work in. A lot of people think Art School is like high school. Or community college. Professors don't know how to get it across and become frustrated what part of 3 days missed, or don't turn in your work do people not understand. If you are not up for the challenge don't waste your parents money.
Bang for the buck I transfered from a community college and have seen how my artwork has improved over two semesters I came in Spring/ Summer. Which is very brutal and I don't reccomend people doing.
Am enjoying being here Some professors need to learn constructive criticism other than that I enjoy being here. It is my first and only choice. I don't regret coming over. Transfering as a foundation student was the best choice of my life.
Am learning a lot I have learned so much over the past two semesters. ( I came in Spring/ Summer) Which makes me a sophomore in the fall. I learned so much more than I could at a community college.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Nicole from Los Angeles, CA
09/08/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 5 of 15
Categories Comments Great for these types of students This school is great for students interested in art you really crave a sense of community. You are divided into sections during your foundation (freshman) year and this really sets the tone for your next years at OTIS.
Bang for the buck It can be pretty expensive, but as an art school student, it's pretty much par for the course. Try to plan ahead and spend carefully, I'm sure that you'll spend a lot at the close by Graphaids.
Am enjoying being here The faculty is all very nice and you really feel like they are all approachable. Even within the first couple of days of being there, going through the registration process and so forth, people that I talked to the day before actually remembered me and details about my situation after only a pretty short conversation.
Am learning a lot OTIS is an amazing place, I went to a few other schools before settling down here and I learned more in the first weeks at OTIS than I did in and entire year at some other schools.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Erick from Omaha, NE
11/16/2011Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 6 of 15
Categories Comments Bang for the buck it is expsensive so apply apply apply for scholarships
Will enjoy being here i am very excited to hopefully attend this school
Will learn a lot THey have been so helpful in the college application proccess making things so much easier for me
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Jessie from Moorpark, CA
01/23/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 7 of 15
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Driven, creative, intelligent individuals that want to be the best in their field of study. People that want to speak to their teacher on a first name basis and have classes as small as 13. This is serious but fun business.
Tips for prospective students Stay on top of your work. Do it ASAP because you WILL only get more. I find writing a lot of To Do lists help. Also I am trying out an app on my iPod called iHW and it has your class schedule and hw assignments for each class. Check your school email!!
Bang for the buck This is a private art school. There are also unforseen expenses for art supplies or projects that you will be assigned. My best advice is to find another student that wants to split the cost of materials.
Am enjoying being here At first it was a hard environment to adapt to. I was commuting over an hour daily to get to school which was a very difficult situation. As far as a socializing environment there is something called a section and depending on what time you want to have courses puts you in a section. For the first semester I had most of my classes with the same students. Now in second semester I have only a few of the same students in my other classes. This gave me the opportunity to get to know other students and make some friends!
Am learning a lot As a first year student there are very specific guidelines for projects but that makes projects with a little lenience even more exciting. You are taught how to be a hard-worker and successful. If you do not work hard, you will not succeed in your classes.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Kurt from North Las Vegas, NV
12/17/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 8 of 15
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Students who are hard-working dedicated and passionate. Students should be ready and willing to learn. Students should be humble and respectable towards others. Students who have dreams and goals that they know Otis will help them achieve.
Tips for prospective students Time management, have supplies ready, try to get a lot of sleep and eat healthy.
Bang for the buck Otis is located in Los Angeles and there a lot of great companies in the city. Otis offers great programs to train you to be ready in the professional environment.
Am enjoying being here Otis focuses on the technical and conceptual sides of art. Otis often has guest from companies and famous artists to speak to the students. I enjoy learning new things every day inside and outside of Otis.
Am learning a lot I learned so much about what I want to do as an artist through friends, instructors and faculties. I even learn new things through class works, group works and life events.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Bevin from Santa Fe, NM
01/06/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 9 of 15
Categories Comments Campus Safety It's good.
Greek Life none
Great for these types of students Hard working friendly ones.
Bang for the buck This school is very different from the first art school I attended. This one will help me find a job that I will enjoy.
What to do for fun LA is a vast learning ground from its museums to its galleries and beaches!
Dorm Life Don't live in a dorm.
Academic Rigor I get all the help I need.
Tips for prospective students Be sure to plan on having extra money for all those art supplies.
In three sentences This is a real-world college experience designed to help students find work in their chosen art majors.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Jessica from National City, CA
03/07/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 10 of 15
Categories Comments Campus Safety 24/7 security guard that will lock the gates and let you out at night. the campus is open 24/7, so the take safety seriously. all labs have techs there for assistance.
Clubs and Activities slightly off the radar, but they are available for all to join!
Great for these types of students artists, of course!! anyone creative and hard working.
Bang for the buck we gain connections, have access to the latest technology, and have professionals in the field as instructors.
What to do for fun the classes are fun and we have some club activities. the student activities always have something planned, usually including free food!
Food and Dining the cafe has good homemade food, is slightly expensive and small.
Dorm Life i don't live in the dorms, but they are located in a luxury apartment complex.
Academic Rigor really challenging and makes you think and plan ahead. worth every min.
Tips for prospective students be ready to work and build yourself up to what is expected of you. don't procrastinate and always give everything your all. retain a positive attitude and just have fun!
In three sentences otis is amazing and challenging. the staff are helpful and eager to teach. wonderful experience even though hard, very rewarding experience.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Alison from Los Angeles, CA
09/04/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 11 of 15
Categories Comments What to do for fun It's literally by the beach! And if it's not beach weather, there's always Koreatown.
Food and Dining Restaurants, food trucks, fruit stands, coffee shops, you name it.
Dorm Life Housing is held in the really nice Playa del Oro apartments down the street. It's only open to first-year students, but there are plenty of other apartments in the area that are close driving distance.
Academic Rigor Time management is the key.
Tips for prospective students Get ready to work hard! It's pretty easy to get in, but it's whether or not you can survive the workload.
In three sentences At this school, you get a lot of individual attention from your mentors. Classes are small, and you know everyone in your class. You can always find a way to mold the curriculum to get what you want out of it.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Fran
01/12/2013Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 12 of 15
Categories Comments Campus Safety Security guards on campus all the time. Anyways, you have enough weird art tools to use one someone in case anyone jumps you. You're good.
Greek Life I don't think so?
Clubs and Activities I haven't really seen or heard of any clubs. Activities, maybe, but not clubs.
Great for these types of students Artistic, weird (weird is good, don't worry), ambitious, passionate, can run on no sleep, adventurous, and organized.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus I'll get back to you on that once I find out. Well, I guess there is one thing. apparently our mascot is an Owl? That's pretty cool.
Bang for the buck Very pricey, so make sure you have means of some financial aid. The price to pay is worth it in the end though.
What to do for fun It's an art school, what DON'T you do for fun? haha. Interesting people there, so there's never a dull moment.
Food and Dining Haven't really dined near there, but I love food all the time.
Dorm Life Pricey, so if you live near it's best to just commute.
Academic Rigor The instructors make it clear that they want to put their students working at a professional pace, even at day one.
Tips for prospective students If you plan on attending Otis, make sure you understand what you're putting yourself through. You need the drive, the passion, in order to make it here. I have not yet started officially, but I will in a few days. From what I heard, I have the biggest challenges ahead of me, but I'm willing to jump all those hurdles in the way.
In three sentences Otis is a very challenging art institution and the students sacrifice a lot in order to achieve their goals there. In the end, all the hard work pays off, and these students turn into the artists they have always dreamed of becoming. Furthermore, they change the world one medium at a time.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Rudy R.
11/29/2012Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
0 out of 2 people found this review useful. 1 person found this inaccurate. 13 of 15
Categories Comments In three sentences Do they have any 3D Design or Game Design majors?
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Taeho from Torrance, CA
03/24/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
14 of 15
Categories Comments Food and Dining We have cafeteria but not many people use it because of the high price. Yet, there is a Ralphs right next to Otis.
Dorm Life Otis college provides you dormitory but the rent fee is expensive. It is about $11,000/ a year. And it is prepayment. But the facilities are excellent.
Academic Rigor In my opinion, Otis is somewhat flexible to accept variable as students change their mind in terms of transference of major. So, until the end of sophomore year you can change your major as long as you know what to do for sure.
Tips for prospective students The foundation year at Otis college of art and design is a stage when students can build up their basic skills. It is, of course, good for you to know more than the school expects as freshmen but it isn't necessary to worry about it because of the foundation year.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
JoVee from Whiteriver, AZ
06/07/2013Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
15 of 15
Categories Comments What to do for fun Take trips to the near by beaches and get a taste of what the beaches of California are known for.
Food and Dining Downtown Los Angeles is filled with so many experiences it's going to be an adventure.
Dorm Life I am not a dorm student but I do hear that the environment is well worth the time spent.
Academic Rigor The courses are tough, the gain is worth every accomplishment.
Tips for prospective students Be willing to learn. Be accepting of the environment around you. Apply yourself to this moment and transform this opportunity into what you believe to be YOU.
In three sentences The hallways have an energy that enlightens my imagination. The Classrooms inspire me to let my imagination come to life. The senior fashion show at the Beverly Hills Hilton put my heart in a place it has longed to be for so long, I feel I am meant to grow at Otis.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
