Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, CA, USA

Reviews

Art Center College of Design

Daniel from La Crescenta, CA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Art Center has provided me with not only the skills to excell in my profession, but more of a life lesson. Our school takes pride in simulating the real world. Currently working professionals to state of the art equipment, this is the place to not only learn but to pave your future.
Tips for prospective students
Practice, practice and more practice. At first everything may seem overwhelming, but remember the best of us started out as amateurs. Do not be afraid to fall, because when you do, you will stand up taller. School is meant to make mistakes, because if not, then you won't know whats right or wrong.
Academic Rigor
Art Center College of Design is known globally for there fundamentals. If you ever heard the saying learn to crawl before walking? Well, this is the department where Art Center specializes. Countless all-nighters and coffee, but the results of your work will make other's jaw drop.
Dorm Life
There are no dormitories for our campus. The school focuses on utilizing their time solely on education. This can be a Pro or a Con for some, but for me it's a plus. As a designer you want to explore the world around you, not confine yourself to a little campus in the beautiful city of Los Angeles.
Food and Dining
There is an onsite cafeteria and the hours are from 8am-8-pm. (and the food is great) Vending machines are equipped with a variety of drinks and snacks. The only problem is being located on the hillside of a mountain, any other type of food requires a lengthy commute.
What to do for fun
Having a campus in such a beautiful location, there is not much else you would want to do, beside watching the beautiful landscape. There is a basketball court on campus which allows us to interact with other majors. We have tons of clubs catered to a variety of different interests. Remote Controlled vehicles have been a recent hit. There is a hidden little trail which contains an awesome track for off-roading a little monster truck. Mountain biking is a must! Beautiful scenic trials within a small distance. If your not working throughout the night, then you'll definitely having fun otherwise!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
It's a must that after every midterm or final, we all get together and celebrate. The choice are very firm. It's either Korean BBQ or Taco Trucks. You can not break the tradition!!!
Great for these types of students
Any type of student is warmly welcomed. We have student from the age of 17 to the age of 56. All different ethnicities and interests, there is no such thing as a minority. I never thought I would fit into this school when if first drove out here from New Jersey, but I was wrong! I've met the best types of people here. Everyone truly cares and helps each other out.
Campus Safety
First off, no one can every find the campus. Its a long drive up a road hidden inside plantation on the mountain. We have great security who constantly guard the premisses every second of the day. Also the wild life around us seem to protect us!

John Ives. Pasadena

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Very impressive alumni list. great career opportunities and connections for students. High level of education from instructors that are currently working in the disciplines that the teach.
Tips for prospective students
check it out!
Academic Rigor
I am currently in orientation week, where the staff and host students have made it very clear that my time at Art College Center of Design will be rigorous. In my few times having toured the school i have seen students intensively working away on projects often times pulling all nighters and it is not rare to see students sleeping on couches in the halls of school.
Dorm Life
We are not offered Student housing at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Which is the another reason i need help funding my education there. If you are not familiar with Pasadena it is located just north of Los Angeles and rent is not cheap. most single room apartments range from $1000 to $2000 a month
Food and Dining
Ive have one meal there so far but from the turkey sandwich that i bit into it was very good with fresh ingredients and they kept good nutrition in mind. Plus the cafeteria is open 24 hours on school days due to the intensive programs.
What to do for fun
Its an art school everything is fun! There are so many activities to partake in from study abroad programs, yoga, hiking, to school activities. The best part is that we get to go to school to learn how to turn our passions into our careers.
Bang for the buck
Its not cheap. But if arts what you want to do its the place to be. So its the price you pay to get the best possible education in you field.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The whole facility is unusual. Built on a hillside with unique architecture, a ravine that runs under the building, Hiking trails around the campus, and wildlife that consists of deer, bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, and rattlesnakes.
Great for these types of students
Anyone who is focused and willing to put full effort into any form of art.
Clubs and Activities
Too many to mention them all. But one more interesting program the school has developed would but Design matters and their project Safe Agua. Where a group of students went to a town in chile that had no running water. They studied all issues people had with getting safe drinking water, such as people with disabilities, or lack of filtration so on and so forth. They researched the data and designed solutions for the town that were cost effective and with products that were easily accessible.
Campus Safety
Results may vary. Art students are poor students. when funds get tight supplies goes missing. Aside from theft there seems to be no problem other than attacks from wildlife i.e. rattlesnakes, bobcats and mountain lions

Aaron from Canoga Park, CA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The best art school on the West Coast. Great faculty, great campus, great resources. Expensive, but at this private non-profit, you get what you pay for.
Tips for prospective students
Go to the campus, talk to faculty. Making the physical connection to the place and the staff will give you the best understanding of the program and give the staff an opportunity to match your face with your application when it comes time to apply.

I applied for a graduate program and started investigating the curriculum, the staff and the students a year before applying. The caliber of work at graduate level is quite good, and portfolios and essays are required, so give yourself ample time to research before applying.
Academic Rigor
From what I hear from my undergraduate friends and graduate students in the program that I am starting, that the rigor is quite strenuous. The staff and students advise against having any other job while attending. Be prepared to immerse yourself in the academic lifestyle.
Dorm Life
No dorms, but Pasadena has a good amount of young people and is close enough to L.A. to offer other social life options.
Food and Dining
Food on campus is available. Finer dining is available in Pasadena's affluent Old Town, adjacent to the South Campus.
Bang for the buck
Expensive, but provides a world class education that employers take note of. If pursuing fine arts, gallerists are also taking notice. While attending, exploit the great resources of the campus!
Great for these types of students
Creative, hard-working, work well under pressure.

Alfonso from Panorama City, CA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I am not a student yet, I got accepted. I'm an now working on the hard part, paying for it.
Tips for prospective students
Work on your portfolio and take it serious. Work hard but dont worry too much.
Academic Rigor
It seems like academically, it will be extremely demanding.
Dorm Life
There is no dorms.
Food and Dining
Food and dining is great. There's food dispensaries and machines all over campus. The cafeteria makes awesome food.
What to do for fun
It's outdoors so you can do so much when you have free time. From playing a little bit of sports, to picnic, to photography to painting/drawing.
Bang for the buck
At the end of it, any education pays off.

Art Student

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
At Art Center you will get a massive bill for the education. However, it is worth it. Your skills will be top quality, most people graduating from here get jobs before they graduate or immediately after, and the experiences and friendships here last for a lifetime.
Tips for prospective students
Visit the campus and schedule a meeting with a counselor to go over your portfolio. They are very helpful and will let you know what you need to do to improve or if there's a scholarship deadline.
Academic Rigor
Very challenging, so be prepared to work 40 hours a week or more! You may have to pull all nighters, but once you're settled, you'll get used to the work load.
Dorm Life
No dorms available!
Food and Dining
Food it okay, sometimes they do something new every week. Culture week is when the cafeteria introduces international dishes like Korean BBQ or sushi.
What to do for fun
Yoga, contests around school, clubs, school events. There's also a hiking trail behind the school. Old town is also full of shops and diners if you get bored.
Campus Safety
Very safe, security is on top of things and will notify you of any activity you need to look out for.