<p>//Having gone to SCAD I have noticed things as an incoming student about not only the facilities but also about the city. Yes it is high in crime. Small city big city problems. Robbery is very high so is rape, if you go there you may want to invest in a few kick boxing lessons. Walking alone at night is not advised, there are timely warnings every few days about theft and rape in school parking lots and such. The SCAD bus system is very poor with drivers who care not for timing and who are quite rude at times. The city is dirty in areas with many ghettos that just pop up. You are walking down the street and all of the sudden you are in a bad area with questionable people.//</p>
<p>It is a shame that students have to be worried about crime in the city. When you have impoverished people living in proximity to facilities, there is friction. You cannot blame the college for this, but the city does need to do a better job. My observation is that the college has gone to great lengths to protect the students. I don't think there is a crime problem on SCAD property (the campus). You can look up the stats on their web site. I don't know about the quality of the SCAD bus system, but the buses seem to be everywhere.</p>
<p>//The education from what I can tell is not the best. The art education is very intense but all other classes that are not artistic are non existant. As an example students are required to take very few classes that are not art based like basic algebra as a requirement for math, and other classes are not far better. Students are admitted freely with or without artistic strength just for the school to make money, whether or not they succeed or fail is not a concern to the college. What they are concerned with is money.//</p>
<p>It's a private college, and a business venture. However, I have been impressed with the amount of money spent on facilities for students. I doubt the college has a large donor base of alumni because it is still a relatively young school. Money is spent in order to make money, but when you look at the facilities and tuition in comparison to the same at other art colleges, I think SCAD offers a very good value. </p>
<p>I have no idea why anyone would take general ed courses at a private art college when they can be taken a community colleges, and would encourage parents to consider keeping their kids home for one year after H.S. and send them to a local community college.</p>
<p>SCAD is an art and design school. Many kids who do not do well in fine arts classes become exceptional students in their majors, like photography, performing arts, architecture, and even graphic design, etc. Keep in mind that the college does admit students with limited experience. Many kids might not have strong H.S. art programs or be able to attend pre-college summer programs so there skills may be less developed. You did state that the art education is intense, that sounds great, yes? I don't know what you mean that the college is not concerned about whether the students succeed of fail. If students are booted out because they are not maintaining their GPAs, the college is the one losing money.</p>
<p>//The professors are not too bad, there are a few good professors that are really well experienced and are good professors who want to teach. Then again there are those who don't care about teaching and who have no desire to help students. There are professors who single out students and play favorites, and brown beat them. Most of all there are professors who put students down and take away any desire they may have to pursue their chosen careers. Students end up not sleeping for days, going to counseling sessions.//</p>
<p>Sounds like you are speaking from personal experience? Criticism can be difficult to accept at a young age, and some professors may be a little harsh. I had a drawing prof. at another school that used to tear Drawing I drawings off the wall and into pieces causing students to cry. College is not H.S. I don't think there should be hand-holding. The most important thing however, is that faculty provide students with the means and resources to develop their talents and skills. If they don't do that, that is a problem, butI have no problem with them being demanding.</p>
<p>//If I were a parent I would strongly look into other institutions that are accredited. This institution is not accredited probably for very good reasons.//</p>
<p>It is accredited by SACS. SACS ensures that all the appropriate policies and procedures are in place to provide the appropriate level of education. SACS accredits many highly regarded institutions, like William and Mary and Georgia Tech for example. SCAD is not NASAD accredited. Is this a problem? Per P.R., yes, but having looked into SACS and NASAD requirements as well as attended and worked at the college, I cannot put my finger on any issue of significant difference. I do not know why the college has not pursued NASAD accreditation though I suspect it goes back to issues that occurred +/- 20 years ago.</p>
<p>//As far as facilities go..This institution has no computer stores, no basic printing facility that doesn't suck money out. Be prepared to spend a lot of money not only on the education(which in my opinion is overpriced for what you get) but also in the access printing and books that are required. There is also no place to keep student's belongings on campus. Basic amenities provided by public institutions and some private ones do not exits in this institution.//</p>
<p>I purchased my computers and software through SCAD and received educational discounts. When I attended, there was a print facility on campus. I believe most students purchase their own color printers. I did. It makes life easier if you are pulling an all-nighter and printing 30 minutes before the project is due. You will spend a lot of money at any institution for books and supplies. I do recall that the photo building had student lockers for students, but most kids carry their supplies around in their backpacks.</p>