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I saw an ad for iadt detroit. I had been looking to go back to school and thought fashion design may be a fun field and went to check the school out. I went there and was met by my admissions rep. She asked me about my college history. I told her i had my associates degree in liberal arts. She says, "oh great. So you have an art degree". I know i should have walked away at that comment. She asked me a few more questions, walked away for a few minutes, had me pay her $50 and shook my hand congratulating me on getting accepted at the school.
A few days later i had a meeting with financial aid. I met this guy, he set me up on a computer and ahd me fill forms out. I had asked a few questions and he was really weird about answering anything. I wonder now if it was protect his own butt. So i get approved for financial aid and I'm told everything will be covered. I was told to come back in a few days and I'll get registered for classes.
When i went back to "pick" my classes i was pretty much told what classes i was going to take. My schedule was class four nights a week for six hours a night or 16 credits a semester. It really was way too much. I was so worn out by my second week of school. There was also a two absent policy. If you missed more then two classes your instructors were calling you wondering where you were.
After a really rough semester i was burnt out. I did well and got a 3.7 gpa. I was sent a letter telling me i was on the dean's list (what dean?) - and decided i was going to take two classes nest semester. When i went to register for the next semester and told them i wanted to take two classes, i was almost harassed. I was informed we could only go part-time one time for the whole time at the school. Part-time was still four nights a week and four hours a night. I also decided to switch my major from fashion design to interior design. I was given flack for that as well. With that semester i got a 3.8 and the dean's list thing.
Next semester comes and i have a full load - 16 credits, four nights a week, six hours a night. It gets to be too much to fast and i decide i want to drop one class. I was told i am not allowed to drop a class unless i have a really good reason. My husband was sick and in and out of the hospital. I set up a meeting with the registrar at the school, since my admissions rep had been let go, and talk to her about my issues. Her way of helping me was to pull out my transcripts from the community college i went to and starts knocking out classes i don't have to take because they "transferred" to the school. I thank her and tell her i still want to drop my class. She refuses and tells me to sweat it out. I found out later their policy is if you drop after the second week you can't get money back, i was talking to her the second week of school. I got sick of being told i couldn't drop a class and decided to stop going. When i got my paperwork about my dropping classes the dates were all wrong, to cover their butts so i wouldn't get any money - at this point it wasn't about the money -
A few months later i was checking my grades. I was given an f in all my classes. I asked why and was told i didn't follow the rules they had about dropping classes. I explained my whole story and got nowhere. I went to talk to the register, and had to wait for her to "come back from lunch" when she did come back, she was told she had someone waiting to talk to her, her response was "that's too bad, i don't feel like talking to her" and walked away
I fought this school up and down about my grades. I went from a 3.8 to a 1.7. When i decided to go back to school last winter i was banking on my high gpa from iadt to guarantee me a scholarship. I was told by my school iadt wasn't even recognized as a school in michigan. I also found out their financial aid is owned and run by the same people who own the school. I attended that school for two full semesters and two weeks and my student loans are $23,000. The education I'm getting at my new school isn't going to cost anywhere near that
Iadt is not a school. It is a money pit. The amount of students that get jobs after "graduating" is very low. If someone graduates from iadt and gets a job in retail because they can't do anything else, it's considered "in their field". Their job placement rate is about 20%. The school is crap and their "instructors" are crap. It is a scam. If you are thinking about going there or sending your child there, rethink your decision.
to the person who defended IADT up and down, left and right, I believe Heather was the author, here is my response to your laundry list of items:
1) I did say I thought Fashion would be fun, that doesn't mean I picked the school on a whim. I picked the school because I saw an ad for it, one of the degrees they offered was Fashion and I am very into Fashion and am very interested in it. I didn't know everything that was going to be involved with getting a "degree" in Fashion from IADT
2 & 3) picking my classes: were you there when I was told what classes to take? you weren't? that's what I thought. I WAS told what classes to take. I WAS told I would be taking four classes and NOT given the option to take less than four classes per semester. if I had be given the option or even told I could take three classes, you can bet, for the sake of my sanity, I WOULD have taken three classes
4) I didn't complain about the attendance policy. I knew what was expected of me as far as attendance was concerned. what I did say is when I decided to drop out because it was too much for me, and I told my teachers what was going on through email, I was still called and almost harassed by teachers I didn't even have asking me where I was at
5) I was indeed sent a letter telling me I was on the Dean's List. unless you were looking over my shoulder, reading the Dean's List letter, I doubt you know exactly what I received in the mail. I did not receive a "great achievements" letter, it was a Dean's List letter. not sure what location you attend, but maybe things are done differently in Detroit? who knows.
6) full-time/part-time shouldn't matter. what does reconfiguring my payment have to do with anything? there was no "payment" to worry about. the loan I obtained paid the school - the school I attend now doesn't harass the students if they go from 16 credits to 8 credits, it's completely up to the student to decide how many credits to take. the school is still going to get their money either way - there was no lack of dedication on my part, I wanted to be in school. I did get burnt out and I did need a break
7) we agree about the Registar. good. I knew the policy of the school about dropping. what I had a problem with is that I wanted to drop a class and I was flat out told no (this would have been going from 16 credits to 12 credits - still full-time right?) I was told I wouldn't get my money back. I didn't care about getting my money back. I was two weeks into the semester, the semester got to be too much for me, I said something and was told no. I'm sorry, I'm an adult, I can make my own decisions on if I want to drop a class or not
8) IADT is not a recognized school in Michigan. my rep did not ask me about intending to stay at IADT, she was too excited to have bagged another victim. maybe your admissions rep knew more than my admissions rep. I was not asked anything about passion or dedication. I was unable to hve any of my credits from IADT transfer. if I went to another IADT location my credits WOULD NOT have transferred. I would have to start all over again - that leads me to believe IADT is not accredited ANYWHERE
9) the idea of job placement is a joke. their "Career Services" department is a binder with pages of fast food jobs. selling a $1.00 burger is selling, and you're wearing clothes, that must be considered "in the industry". if I had continued at IADT, graduated, moved out of state and applied for a real fashion job in say, New York, I would have been laughed at - not only because of the school I graduated from, but I'm sure I would have been completely behind with industry knowledge. my friend is working at Kohl's and just graduated from IADT, she is considered one of the school's success stories
10) again, what location do you attend? the lack of experience from my instructors was painful. I heard more about their person lives than anything else. no one had their own line, no one was a designer for movies and no one owned a franchise of any kind. good for you for having such experienced instructors
all in all I do not think my difficulty with the school had anything to do with my own "difficulty". how can a school function differently than other schools? college is college. if it's a school of design, engineering, social work or psychology - it's going to have the same basic function. yes, some things will be different than other schools, but there is a basic way schools function and IADT did not function like a normal school.
good luck with your forth (probably now fifth or sixth, since it's been a while since you posted your rebuttal) of your three year - did I read that correctly? a three year degree? I didn't know those existed. must be one of those "unique" things IADT does as a school. again, what location to you attend?
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
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ADT left me a msg on my cell to notify me that my alarm was going off and motion is detected in my home. When I called them back, they asked me should they send the police. I'm not sure what I'm paying ADT for if they are waiting for me to tell them to send the police to my home. Also they stated that they call my home first. Why would you do that, are you hoping to speak with the burglar? This is the 3rd burglary @ my home this year. Each time, ADT waited for me to tell them to send the police. Well by the time the police gets there, the burglar is gone and no body has been caught yet.
Our contract was sold to ADT by Counter Force about a year ago. Never has worked properly. They have been out to fix it at least 4 times. Still does not work. They call to collect, even though we have no service. We have asked to be release from our contract, so we can get a company that will provide service, so we can have some protection, and the reply was that we had to pay 150.00 to get out of our contract, even if they have not provide the service they are suppose to provide, which is protection. I would like to know what to do. Can anyone help? My husband and I are retired and we need to feel that when we are home we will have some protection. Thank you, Irma Gonzales
I have never in my life (and that's a while) received such shocking service before. This company is unprofessional, unreliable, incompetent and lacks honourability and integrity. If I was a person looking for a alarm system to be installed, knowing what I know now, I would look somewhere else.
The call center and Sales people are great BUT the installation department are hopeless. Getting through to any of the management team is more difficult than getting through to the State President.
Shocking that such a large business can operate like this. Last chance to see if the MD will contct me.
On Sunday of last week I was burglarized, the perpetrator was in the business for two hours, the alarm never went off. After contacting ADT requesting a Tech to come out and check the system, a Tech arrived and did a complete check on the alarm stating; that who ever installed it never knew what he was doing, the sensor was defective, the system in the door was not wired correctly. After showing the Tech the videotape he stated; where the burglar was walking around the system should have went wild sending signal after signal to ADT, which it never did. Be aware of this company, take my advise don’t, I repeat don’t do business with ADT, this is not an isolated case after the burglary I was telling all my customers and three of them said the same thing happened to them.
I had a door to door salesman knock on my door for the ADT Monitored Security System. They said my home would be the model so all the installation fees would be waived. I signed up for a 3 year contract. I can’t believe it would be this hard to deal with idiots on the other side.
They can’t get anything right. My phone numbers were wrong, the system decides when to work, and I can’t update my billing information. One problem after another. The endless cycle of idiots.
I decided just to cancel the whole process, and in the contract I have 6 months to decide. I am still under the 6 month threshold. I’ve “cancelled” twice already and I’m still having problems. I don’t want to be charged for something I no longer receive.
This company is nuts. No one ever has the answer to your question and when they find someone that would, that person is out of town! Safeco is not safe guarding my finances or my home. These people are so unprofessional its outrageous! I will never deal with a company like this ever again. I get the run around from both sides of this mess.
These A-Hoes don't get it that they are totally crooks.
People to make a long story short. How about adding up all the advertisement around the country, put it in a Postal Due Box, and send it to the Home of the CEO Truck loads of advertising, and a bill to pay for the shipment, perhaps she/he will get the message. Enough of their trash mail.
Oh by the way, we shall NOT put any Naughty words when complaining, as that kind of Behavior will not be displayed.
For ANY IADT students past or present looking for a lawsuit there is a law firm in Tampa, Feldman Morgado who is working on one. Please call Candice Canales at [protected] for more info and to schedule a free 30 minute consult with the attorney. I went to their Vegas school and have nothing good to say.
I go iadt tampa for graphic design and I've had no problems with the school. Even when my gi bill was messed up by the government they were super understanding and allowed me to attend classes with no bills for 6 months until the government figured out my gi bill.
As for a lot of these complaints I can tell most of these people are not artists of any kind . The thing about art school and the arts industries in general are you have to be a artist, it's not just something you can just randomly decide to do because it seems like a easy career path. With that said regardless what art school you go to even advanced classes are technically only beginner to intermediate level stuff. It's impossible to teach every pro secret and advanced technique in photoshop in a couple semesters.
So if you go in with zero knowledge in your specific chosen program you'll most likely fail after graduation regardless what school you go to. Art schools in general are more of a hiding place for real artists to mostly hide out from the real world and focus on their own work while being exposed to other artists, styles stuff like that.. And pick up a little knowledge here and there. Me for example I was already doing a high level of photography and focusing on advertising, so I decided to go graphic design just to learn that side of the industry. I already specialized in composite/conceptual type photography so I didn't learn hardly anything from my photoshop classes but the little tips I did learn completely changed my workflow. So while they didn't make me a better artist exactly they did make it possible for me to work faster and cleaner. Or the traditional art classes I've taken helped get me started in other areas of art like digital painting that I was then able to transfer to my personal photography. If anyone has questions from my personal experience message me on my fb fan page Facebook.com/CaseyMoorephotodesign
I would advise students to NEVER enroll at IADT.
To be perfectly frank, these for-profits are not respected in the professional creative world; in fact, going to one of these places will wind up being detrimental to your career and reputation (AND your credit). These schools are not respected in the professional world, they are the brunt of jokes. If you want to find yourself unable to transfer credits to a reputable program and broadcast to prospective employers "I am gullible and didn't do my research" by all means, enroll away!"
If you want to bulk up your portfolio/improve your cv before entering a legit course, you're far better off working for free on student/low/no budget productions, interning at/with a gallery/museum/label/production house/art director/design firm/publisher/etc or taking individual courses at a community college/artist-run. You wont have to go into debt with these options, you will demonstrate your possession of hustle/drive/creative thinking and your CV and portfolio will bulk up with legitimate experience/work. You can usually do these things while working, helping your finances in the long run.
My advise for choosing an institution/course:
* research instructors/professors you would like to work under, whose work and methods you respect, and use this as a guide. Mentorship in the FineArts/Creative Industries are incredibly important for accessing future jobs/opportunities and for personal development. A good school with also have bios for their instructors. Try emailing and seeing if you can meet with ppl you are interested in working with.
* email someone in the industry/career path you are interested in and ask them for a meeting. See what route/school they would advise.
* look into respected national/international institutional rankings (Times Higher Ed/Macleans in Canada/QS World/NewsWeek/Forbes) - but take this info with a grain of salt.
* sit in on a class (most good unis/colleges will let you - if they don't, *warning*).
* know that at the moment, online courses are not as respected as traditional classroom ones (esp in the creative fields)
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REMEMBER: IADT does not have regional accreditation, thus many regionally accredited schools are unlikely to accept their credits in transfer or recognize their degrees for entry into graduate programs
More Information on IADT scandals.
2nd Class Action Lawsuit against IADT:
http://www.educationfraudlawsuit.com/current-investigations/2nd-class-action-lawsuit-against-iadt/
Some documentaries/reports on the scandals surrounding on for-profit schools:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBZXQ_pocFE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmmYKlPx3Sw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLZygLDIfQA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zvqn4K_IhM
http://news.yahoo.com/man-blows-whistle-profit-college-152357622--abc-news-topstories.html
It was the technician's fault, not the company.
Hello Everyone,
I too went to IADT in Tampa, Online and feel that this was a waste of my time. I found the school online, talked to the register and decided to attend there. I was looking to get a degree in photography, which they do offer. When I registered the consular told me that the best way to do this was to start with degree in graphic design, which when she was explaining it to me I would have computer design classes and several photography classes. Then transfer majors to photography only So I was really excited. I had just been laid off at my job and thought that this would be a great way to start over. Registered...new start...WRONG. I attended classes, did fairly well, then with only 30 credits left to get my Bachelors in Graphic design (totally not what I was told it was as they did not offer photography online told me they thought I was going to move from VA to Fla. what?) they told me that I was not going to be able to finish with the help of financial aid, so I attended these classes even though this was not what I was looking for I still could not graduated. My student advisor told me that I had enough credits to get my Associates, so I felt that I needed something to show for the massive amount of money that I am going to have to pay back. Now I graduated in April of this year and still have yet to get my Degree, was told that it would be 6 to 12 weeks before I would get the actual paper work. But when I called yesterday they said the diplomas have not been ordered yet. Most places have them when you graduate. Or at least that is my experience. I was also told that I could carry the credits to any school so that I could continue my schooling and gt the actual degree that I wanted i the 1st place. But when I went to our local community collage I was told that these credits would not count and I would have to repeat them all over, I am 40 and have a family I can't do this again. I do agree that the students need to unite and find a lawyer to make a class action and see what we can do to help us now and others in the future from falling in this trap.
Hello everyone,
I got to IADT of Orlando and from the start I should have seen the warning signs, from the uncleanliness of the bathrooms and lounge area to the display boards of students who graduated many years ago. There was no updated boards. Now a 1 1/2 into my degree and I can only register for night classes because of my work schedule which is a 9-5. They tell me and i quote
"At IADT we always try to offer flexible schedules, but we cannot offer customized schedules for each student. Unfortunate for you most Interior Design students need morning/ afternoon classes and we create the schedules based on total needs. Please let me know if you have any questions, as I know this is not the answer you are hoping to hear." Unfortunate for me they say, it wasn't unfortunate when I registered and was told ooh we have flexible schedule to work with you. Does this sound like they are working with me? The Financial Aid department in our school was let go also. I hope a lawyer see this and helps out all I want is to either finish school or file a legal complaint so that others do not fall for this.
At Feldman, Fox & Morgado, we are investigating several for-profit colleges, universities, academies and their parent companies for fraud, misrepresentation and violation of Unfair Trade Practices Acts. Visit our new site and even if you do not see your school listed, we may already be conducting an investigation and want to hear your story. We look forward to discussing your case soon.
EducationFraudLawsuit.com
IADT Truth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wel2J-RviWQ
I am a graduate of the International Academy of Design & Technology in Toronto, Ontario and I can tell you that I never encountered any issues whatsoever, I completed all the courses and received a diploma in Advertising Design. It was not easy - it was tough few years and quite a few students complained about the work load, but intimately you need to do all the work in order to graduate. The school closed in Toronto after opening a flagship location downtown - this was very mysterious, especially since a lot of money was spend in opening and transferring from the old location(s) to the new. I am quite happy with my experience going back to school to train for a new career. The only regret is that, I should of took the Interior Design Diploma Program - that is my ultimate passion.
Robert in Toronto, Ontario.
Bahaha, I like Emily's comment.
8, 000 dollar loan at 14.8 percent. saying the interest is 18, 000 dollars.
Im sorry honey but i understand why ur not in school. Should go back to 5th grade for a semester and relearn math!
8, 000 x 0.148 x 4 years ( assuming ur going for a bachelors) = $4736.00
So unless your going to school for 16 years i think you will be ok.
As for loans, all my interest is paid by the government. Its called... NOT GETTING PRIVATE LOANS :D
WOW! is all i can say with a might LMFAO!
I personally go to IADT Detroit and Absolutely NONE of Ur statements are even close to being true.
Yes you will have to pay 50.00, its your application fee.
Financial Aid will do everything in there power to get you the money you need per term. AND i got to pick my classes!
For the Courtney chick up at the top, are you really sure you were at IADT and not Central next door? lol
Seriously full o CRAP.
Full time is 12 credit hours, and part time is only 8. Each class is 4 credit hours, which means 3 classes is full time.
I don't know where your getting your 4 days a week for 6 hours a night, Classes are only 2 hours long, some 2.5, and senior classes are anywhere from 4-6.
I can see 2 days a week for 6 hours a night.
I currently am full time and am in my 3rd term so far this year and i have gotten to pick every class and pick the times.
Not once have i ever been told the classes are full, Iv seen maybe 30 students at the most in my class at one time.
I have been absent way more then 2 times and never have gotten a call from anyone from the school. YOUR PAYING FOR THE CLASS, they could care less if you come! There not your babysitters.
People, don't let a bunch of baby's who obviously know nothing about college or responsibility tell you different.
Its an awesome school and i have learned amazing things and the faculty is awesome.
It IS an ART SCHOOL, it IS something you HAVE to be PASSIONATE about! Not just drop in and think, "Oh that might be fun"
That's what the damn tour is for, DUURR!
If your passionate about any type of art wither it be Fashion, Interior, Graphic, Game.. etc.. Check it out, you wont be disappointed, just ask them questions.
Online though is FAST and Furious, dont bother if your not already very skilled or have college experience. Personally stick with the GEN. EDS online and do your career classes on campus.
Its cheaper then Art Institute and tech you all the same stuff. Plus you get a Bachelors of Fine Arts, not some Piece O Crap Bachelors of Business.
If i wanted a Bachelors of Business i would have went to a university.
Other than that, have fun
the alarm system doesn't STOP burglaries, it is a deterant. I work for the company and I myself do NOT commit to a specific time for the fact that the techs may not be able to get there at THAT time. Grow a brain.
I had the same problem with IADT in Seattle. Only I was the first of 42 students in the gaming program, after the first semester, I was 1 of 28, after the next there was only 9 of us left. Guess that should say something . They could not provide proper teachers or lessons. Imagine trying to be taught physics by a 92 year old Pakistani that barley speaks English and can even remember what he taught you. All in all a very terrible con artist school. wish I could sue them.
ATTENTION! Do not waste your money and time going to this school. I am a current student at IADT Las Vegas but I soon will be transferring to The Art Institute. As I started out at this school, things seem to be going fine and it seemed like I made a good choice of choosing a school. Unfortunately I did not make a good choice and I fully regret wasting my time and money attending this unprofessional school. Before I continue my review, I will fully admit it was my fault for not doing any research and for rushing into starting my education. If I would have done my research and visited other schools, trust me I would have never attended IADT. The staff all walk and act as if the school is a mortuary, ever since they started there Audio Program the school got ghetto. Students were stealing equipment; students were fighting on school premises. They finally hired “security guards” to walk around and do nothing all day. I will start off with the very first time I had seen this school. I went in to get a “tour” of the school and to check out their Interior Design program. An admission representative that instantly brought me back to her office to discuss the school approached me. I never received a tour; I was not even offered to take a tour. As we sat in her office and discussed the school, she even tried to get my boyfriend to sign up. I was at uneasy the whole time, I felt pressured into signing my life away, which I did. As I mention earlier I fully regret doing this, I was in such a hurry to just start my education. When I started out in this school in June 2009, IADT had a logo; I believe in January 2011 they lost their logo due to an art school in San Francisco having a similar logo. I do not know the full and accurate story, but I do know that IADT does not have a logo at all. Since then all students had to re-take their photos for new ID’s, which we had taken in January and till this day none of the students have received their new ID’s. All the good teachers have either left or had been fired due to student-instructor conflicts. A year into my education with this school, they pulled me aside and told me my high school diploma was basically a fake. In their case they were wrong, they told me since it was “fake” I had two options. First option was to drop school and all I had to pay back was the books I had already purchased. Second option was to stay in school, and re-take my English and Math proficiency test and start off where I left off. This was such a disappointment since I knew my high school diploma was legit, and because it has been already a year to my schooling and now IADT has discovered this “problem”. Even when I had the manager of student service confront me and tell me this, she seemed like she didn’t care about me (the student). Unsatisfied and disappointed I confronted the President of IADT. He basically repeated everything the manager of student service told me, which was no help. Since he knew the “professionals” at IADT made a mistake by not being on top of their “business” he offered me a part time job. I was so stressed out and disappointed about the whole situation, I did not know what to do. The very next day I was rushed to the hospital due to an ovarian cyst popping due to stress which was caused by my dilemma with IADT. Into that day, I was contacted by the president and informed that they were wrong and I was right, my diploma was fine. Amazing isn’t it? All that unnecessary stress and pain and don’t forget the hospital visit, for nothing. One disappointment after another, I started to come to my sense and realize how unprofessional and unorganized this school really was. As I mentioned before the president offered me a part time job for the scuffle. This was in October 2010 when I was informed about the job. November was when I actually got the part time job and was suppose to start the paper work. It was not till December when I officially finished my paper work, and the only reason why it was taking so long was because the woman who was in charge of my paper work could not send me all the confirmation papers to my email because she had my school email address wrong the whole time. Which we discovered together when I went to go see her in person since this was taking way to long. WOW. January 2011 was my first time actually working, three months later! Till this day I had only worked three days and today’s date is March 14th 2011. I never got a set schedule, I never got an employee badge, if I wanted to work or find out when they needed me, I had to email my instructor. I was told I would work 20 hours each week, which was a lie, I was told personally by the Chairmen of the program that I would work for him a few times, which was also a complete lie. So since nothing was changing and I was not taken serious, I stopped contacting my instructor for work since it was inconvenient and simply unnecessary. I was promised all these things that I never received which once again disappointed me, especially since the president himself had offered me this job for their mistake. So right after that disappointment, I took a class with the Chairmen of Interior Design. This was my very first class with this guy; I did not know what I was in for. Throughout the term he made it seemed as if I was on the right path for a good grade in his class. I always strive to get an A in every class and to do my very best. Our final project comes about, we all had to present out models and discuss our project. That very same day, right after I presented my project I took IADT class/instructor survey. I was 100% honest and reported how he was obnoxious and unprofessional when he would get into conflicts with the other students in the class. How he asked for WAY too much from the students when he himself did not even bring half the passion into his teachings. As I mention before, this was an “anonymous” survey, which is reviewed by the chairmen’s of each program and the instructor. Since he was already the chairmen and the instructor he got to access the survey and most likely unrevealed who had taken it. I know for a fact he had taken that survey to heart, got sensitive and graded my project off my survey. I basically failed that class, receiving a D for my overall grade for the class. Which was totally unfair and inaccurate, I know for a fact I would have received the proper grade for my project, but since I was honest in my survey he gave me a D. He knew he could not fail me since I was in class everyday, on time and I always did my work. So since he could not fail me, he still wanted to get even and give me a D. I was in disgust when I found out about my grade; I contacted him and asked him why I had received such a low grade. He gave me a bucket of [censor] and told me I basically did not do well enough. I knew it was all due to that damn survey, which made me even more disgusted. Out of the blue I was contacted by the Director of Education of IADT, she sat me in her office; discussed what was the problem and that was all. She only offered me a proposition where I could have gotten my project re- graded by a different instructor. I simply told her I did not care that much about the grade, it was the fact that he graded me off my survey because he got hurt. It was unprofessional, uncalled for and totally unfair. Oh by the way, the so called director of education also told me herself that grades and GPA’s did not matter at all when graduating and pursing your career. HA! What a joke, she only said that because I had told her I never strive to get low grades and that I took my education very serious, and her responses was that. What a joke this school turned out to be, especially after that incident. Soon after that I once again got closer to realize how unprofessional this school was. I was supposed to have a grade change in January 2011, and till this day my grade for a specific class has not changed. I contacted the Registrar, she replied as if she cared and knew what she was speaking of, which she didn’t. I had to contact the instructor who was responsible for the grade change, she told me she had already filled the forms out for my grade change and she herself did not know why it was taking so long. What a mess, things never got done properly and things were never done on time. I got fed up, decided to take a tour of the Art Institute of Las Vegas and I fell in love. I got an actual tour of the school, which was beautiful and I got to actually ask questions. I am so glad that I will be soon transferring to an exceptional school. After all was done, and I decided that I was transferring to AI. I decided to contact the President of IADT once again and let him know what has been happening and how I was transferring. I knew I would not get a reasonable response since he failed to do so in the past, but I just wanted him to be aware of what has been happening in his school. In responses to my email I only simply received this:
Sorry to hear you have decided to leave us. I’ll check with Trampas and Jazmin on these and see if we can get it corrected.
Best,
Jason
As I mentioned many times before, I am so glad I will be transferring over to AI. What a nightmare I had with this so-called college. It felt like high school half the time with all these so-called professionals walking around as if they cared. No one cared from the beginning and no one will start to care, as long as they get paid they will be humble. If I had to rate my overall experience at this school from 1 through 10 I honestly would give it a 2. This school is a school for introverts, I promise if you were to go to IADT and ask a student who is currently attending, why they go to that school; they would either give you two answers: “I did not do my research, I just saw this school on a commercial and decided to come” OR “ I wanted to go to a school with small classes, I did not want to get lost or see a lot of people” maybe if you are lucky you will be the combination of both answers. Why would you want to go to a school that lost their logo to another school, it just shows you how lame this school is. I can go on and on about how my experience at IADT Las Vegas was distasteful, but I rather cut it short now. I simply wanted to discuss my mishap and prevent future students to going through what I went through. I seriously and highly recommend everyone to do their research before entering any school, make sure they give you a tour and ask many questions. Thank you for taking the time in reading my review, I know it was a long review but it was all in honestly of helping others. GOOD LUCK, AND REMEMBER TO DO YOUR RESEARCH AND TAKE TOURS AND ASK QUESTIONS!
Honestly? I'm not sure what the original poster was hoping for.
IADT is a for-profit school, and they make no attempts at hiding this. The accredidation isn't accepted universally, true. But if you don't transfer and actually finish the workload, which honestly if you know how to set up your classes isn't that bad, its fine. As far as their admissions, yes they will take anyone. But not everyone will make it through. Eventually (hopefully) the weaker animals will realize they are outclassed and withdraw, or sadly will just get stuck with a degree they have no talent for.
Keep in mind that this is an art-based school. Most of your hiring jobs aren't looking at the name of the school. They're looking at what you can and cannot do. They're looking at your portfolio proving you have artistic talent as well as the piece of paper. I've gone to a much pricer, accredited regionally and nationally, NICE private arts school for 3 years prior to IADT, which I'm basically using for the game design piece of paper. Some of the instructors at IADT not only graduated from that private arts school, they also taught there and some teach at both places part-time.
You don't go to a for-profit school if you are expecting a fast, easy ride. You don't go if you're expecting cheapness with strict eligibility for the people enrolled. You go there to learn the programs, techniques and materials you will need to make what's in your head a reality. Whether or not you fail or win? That's up to you.
It is really a shame that so many people have had such horrible expirences with IADT when mine has been great so far. I don't know what the blogger was talking about that mentioned that everyone always got A's and B's because I am in the Fashion Merchandising Program in Detroit and in the few terms I have been here, I have already witnesses students that have failed their classes. I believe that you get what you give to the school. I see a ton of students that don't take the school seriously, disresptct their instructors because they are "grown", and for them school is a huge waste of money. If you ask me, I'm paying too much for my education to not learn. The networks that you make with the instructors there are awesome. Don't underestimate them, even the wierd one's can teach you a thing or two if you just listen to them. As far as unemployment rates go, that's an issue that is effecting our country. My boyfriend graduated from Ferris State University which is regionally accreditted, and yet, it took him three years to actually find a job in his field. I wasn't his degree that was the problem, it was the economy. I am currently working in my field, retail, and am looking forward to being promoted soon. The District Manager fully supports my decision to attend IADT and is even willing to work around my school schedule to the best of her ability realizing that my attaining my degree is an investment for myself and the company.
I think those that were unsuccessful shouldn't blame the school or their education, only themselves. And for anyone with passion, determination, and drive, IADT will be an excellent choice for you. Use the staff and your instructors as resources and if you do, it will be worth it in the end. You determine your success, not the instution you attend.
"They don't allow you to know how much you'll be paying until you actually enroll but they said this is to weed out the people who aren't as serious."
That is the strangest thing I've ever heard. Apply that logic to anything else you were purchasing. Would you think that was acceptable? Absolutely not!
In fact the opposite should occur...anyone who is serious should run fast from an adviser who won't ALLOW a student to know the tuition cost until enrollment. No legitimate school is run this way.
It sounds like you have made up your mind so, I am sorry and best wishes.
I signed up for the online school and they were nice. They said they'd take care of my application fee if I enrolled in November. That didn't work for me so I agreed to start in January. They don't allow you to know how much you'll be paying until you actually enroll but they said this is to weed out the people who aren't as serious. The staff has been very helpful so far. I'll post more when I start my classes. I'm waiting for my ebooks now. If anyone has advice about how to succeed at IADT online, let me know. (:
In all fairness to everyone, right at the bottom of your contract, where you signed, it clearly asks whether you'd like ADT to call you before or after the Police Department is notified.
The Rep then marks whatever your instructions are, and that's how they have it on their files and screens!
So if you forgot what you asked for, don't blame those guys for it.
After my third semester I knew this school was shady so I went to the local branch of the state university. They would not accept any classes for transfer. The Dean of the Architecture School said regretfully "We get you people in here all the time, " talking about IADT students who realize they are being scammed and want to transfer. He said definitely no public college in my state would accept credit transfers, and most likely no public school in the country. When joining IADT I asked about accreditation, and said I wanted to pursue a Master's Degree later. They lied to my face about their accreditation. Everyone really must check for themselves do not take their word for it! They are vultures, they only care about your money. I walked away with $12, 000 in debt and nothing to show for it. Better 12, 000 that 60, 000.
To those currently at IADT, good luck. Your diploma will be worthless. When you go on interviews (if you are asked on one in spite of your IADT diploma, straight A's and all) you will probably not get the job. You will be up against people from legitimate schools with portfolios that blow yours out of the water. Not that you lack talent or potential. But IADT's admittedly great teachers are forced to dumb down the classes to accommodate the lowest common denominator so that everyone gets an A so that nobody will get mad and will continue to give money to this joke of a "school", and if you still can't pull off an A the administrators falsify A's for all of the B-F students. Look around. How many B-Fs do you see? Be honest with yourself. Were you a B-C student in high school and now you are a straight A student? Hmm. And everyone else in the class too? Really?
When and if you see the light and try to transfer to a state university...none of your A's will transfer. None of your credits will transfer. You will have to start from scratch because the school you are going to now is fake. So you can either cut your losses and start over or keep forking over your money and hope that none of this is true and that the job offers will come pouring in. But they won't. IADT has a very bad reputation throughout the country that precedes it and you will be looked on with pity for your wasted time and money. Bury your head now or pay later.
IADT has a couple problems:
1. Most of the students are idiots, they are lazy, show up late to class, and complain when they are given projects designed to help them learn. Guess what, you get out of this school what you put into it.
2. The recruiters lie to the students and will tell them anything they want to hear. Unfortunately, smart prospective students see through the BS and go elsewhere. But, if you are not very bright, or overly trusting you may actually enroll here. There are lots of ex military and stupid army wives here, teen mothers, meth heads,
3. The teachers are almost all extremely good, Most have worked in the field and have been recently laid off, they try to cut through the BS, and give you what you need, but there are so many students that just waste the teachers and my time, it is really hard to learn anything.
4. The administration and the company don't care about our education, they care about numbers, and money. They force us to stay in class until 11 pm, they change the schedule, hold our financial aid money until the last minute, and sometimes don't pay their teachers on time.
5. Once they get here, all the students hate the recruiters and the administration, get the teachers alone, they will mostly say the same thing. all complaints fall on deaf ears. A degree from here will get you absolutely nothing, paying attention to your teachers and working hard will.
6. I went to school here for 2.5 years, and dropped out last year because of the administration, the politics, and the stupid students. I am now enrolled at a real live, state University, and am paying half of what I was paying at IADT. That being said, the actual hands on graphic design and drawing skills I learned are really helping in the graphics classes I am taking at my current school.
Do yourself a favor, go to a real college, even a community college, any of these on line, for profit, art or design only schools are a joke, a waste of time, and a waste of money.
DON'T CALL NOW! STAY ON THE COUCH!
spainobain1234-
No matter how talented you think you are, companies are going to see that you graduated from a farce of a school instead of a real college/university.They will toss your resume out when they see you went to a for-profit school.The problem with IADT is that you don't have to accepted to any of their programs you just sign up.
The people who who are complaining on this thread are not uneducated.Most of them are still in school but realize you have to take the harder route instead of just wasting time at places like IADT that takes eveyone.
DEAR NEGATIVE BLOGS
I Am pursuing video game design.
All of you "blogs" are completely uneducated.
Have any of you graduated or have you just based your knowledge off of F***N Rumors and dropped out because you have nothing better to do.
What a waste of your time and life.
I am great at what I do, and I will succeed.
You fools-- on the other hand, expect the easy route in life.
IADT is a wonderful challenge that none of you could continue to fight.
If you would have stuck in the program and been the first one to write on this blog that you were successful, I am sure you would feel much more proud than you are now, sulking with your sopping negativity.
How about the next time you write something about a college, you consider the other readers.
I can tell you now that this college has taught me more things than any of you know so far.
I know this because of the way you people write.
You are like the newbies who start out fresh at IADT, and if you continued your education, I am sure you would have progressed beneficially taking your steps toward a bright future.
Good luck in your scrambling, and please do not spread rumors that destruct the hopes of those who actually wish to benefit from this college because my friends and I have learned wonderfully at this college and are progressing thoroughly with goals, education, and great chances of receiving an outstanding career.
Thanks again, and remember to listen to your gut feeling when it comes to staying in school, and if you do not have one, than get to know about your personal confidence level before you destroy the chance for somebody else.
Sincerely,
Ben Hartman
I went to IADT Chicago and got mixed views.
The school is a scam...no doubt about it. I only attended two semesters at it. During that time, I actually did my research by phoning other school and colleges...because I had second thoughts by quarter 3. They dont even accept the school as a school. My credits are worthless to other places and employeers. I even contacted Midway when they we're alive to see if they accepted graduates from there and Westwood and they said they did not even think the schools we're still around. Apparently...they have denied all applicants from IADT and Westwood.
By the time I took five quarters...I ended up leaving the school with a $10, 000. Luckily...my dad has offered to pay the loan from IADT until I get a job so I wont have to worry...but I am fighting desperately to obtain one. I dont want my dad paying for my responsibility. My dad wants to see me get out in the real world and having a debt isnt a great start. (im only 20 and I cant find a part time job so its real hard on me right now). I am currently now attending a Community college and going to a university by the time I'm done with college.
However, despite this faults...IADT does have great people who worked there. All of the people there who I had as instructors did work in the field they taught before. Every instructor I know knows people in the business...and I have their numbers so I have always have a shot at getting an internship...plus...one of them is like my buddy. The people at FA are very flexible with payments so my dad won't have to worry much.
Heres the scoop: If you really are dumb enough to go this hellhole...not only are you gonna have to work your [censor] off in it...your also going to have to do achievements in your field outside of the school...that has no connection to IADT...Also...be ready to search for jobs on your own because job placement is really that bad. And most importantly., .read the fine print before you sign for anything.
You are so right. I pay ADT for at least 10 years. I was married when I ordered ADT. The bills were coming in my husbands name only, when we both were there to sign the papers. My husband had been gone for at least 8 years, but I continued to pay for the service. I then put the house on the market and sold the house. I wrote, called and did eveerything I could to discontinued the service. Nothing worked. After 2 months of selling the home ADT continued to send bills (to old address, but through changed of address thru the US Postal Office they routed them to my new address). Then I started to receive burglary alarm calls, that the alarm was going off. Again I tried telling them the house is sold, I no longer own the house. They totally ignored this request. I even spoke to an agent who told me "I don't have anything to do with you selling your home. Do you want the police to come? I told them Yea. Send the police, but I'm not paying any charges. This went on for 7 months, after a letter explaining that the house was sold. They kept insisting that my husband had to cancelled. My husband and I were legally married, with the same last name, but ADT said I could not cancel the agreement, even after telling them I have the contract, and that I'm Mrs. Whoever. I had to contactg the States Attorney Office to settle this matter. Don't deal with ADT again.
I agree this school is a piece of manure... They will use scare tactics when you want to do things your way, but guarantee they will work with you when you speak with their admissions rep. I myself, attended for 2 semesters, and accrued approximately 19000 in student loan debt which I'm currently paying off because I believe in atoning for my mistakes.
They will practically accept ANYONE because if they cannot get you Fed Loans, they will make sure Sallie Mae approves anything they request with a cosigner on it. Secondly, their instructors are about as professional as a bear on a tricycle. Pathetic.
I had an instructor tell me in [Web Design I], that I was "showboating" because I built a basic HTML site before she could even teach the rest of the students how to build the body frame. ... Seriously? So I told her let me test out of the class, and she denied it saying the class had to be completed to gain the credit... WTF? So I have to sit in a class with a bunch of rookies. I only went to IADT because I wanted the piece of paper saying Bachelor's.
If I was only smart and went to VCC... oh well. I plan to go back to school @ VCC and start over, and just deal with it (Considering Florida doesn't consider IADT an accredited institution. GG society for pushing fresh 18 yr olds to hurry the [censor] up and pick the first school that accepts you... Argue what you want, that's what happens parents. Be careful. Don't attend this [censor] institution.
I attended IADT in Orlando for Interior Design and graduated in 2008. The school had great instructors, but the school itself is very shady. The lady who signed me up got fired after I started because she kept telling everyone the school was accredited and that they would place me in a job making at least $60, 000. That was definitely a lie! I haven't been able to find a job in Interior Design at all. I did well in school; graduated with a 3.8GPA and really enjoyed working on the projects and other assignments. It's totally lame because they MAKE you take stupid classes like Algebra and College Success and waste your money. I feel that the school is a total rip-off and that future employers see the college I attended and for that, don't hire me. I have heard things about the school not doing so well here in Orlando now and has fired a few really good teachers, for speaking their minds. Whatever you do, DON'T PUT YOUR MONEY INTO THIS SCAM/SCHOOL! I really truly regret even going to college, now that I owe $100, 000 and am in so much debt I can even see straight! I wish there was something you could do... news wise or something to make them stop scamming other people.
As a former student from IADT-Chicago, I can honestly say going to this school was one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made. This “school’ is a complete joke! My admissions rep. (A.E.) lied to me! He assured me this school is accredited and I can transfer classes to another college. This of course is a lie b/c IADT is privately accredited. My classes are useless and colleges/universities will not take them.
One of the biggest problems with this school is they really don’t teach you anything. I was paying too much for a very poor education. I took a class called College Success-a completely worthless course that is designed for teaching kids how to be successful in college! The class taught us how to take notes-something most of us have been doing since elementary school. It was a complete waste & of course the whole class got an easy A. My program field was visual communications and I had to take more useless classes like Digital Photography & Design Fundamentals. I didn’t learn anything from either of these classes. One course teaches you how to take pictures (you don’t need to be in class for this-just read your camera manual) and the other we just played around with paint and markers. I was at IADT only for 7 months and I’m glad I got out! After taking 6 courses in a very short amount of time, I didn’t learn anything I didn’t already know. I’m going to a community college and it’s much better!
For anyone considering going to IADT, I really hope you reconsider. Learn from other people’s mistakes! We are posting complaints to help create awareness!
Having taught at an IADT school in the past, I can wholeheartedly agree with the original poster. These schools are first and foremost in the business to make money, NOT educate.
The fact is, these schools (and others like them) focus on luring students who cannot get into real fashion/design/technology colleges and universities. IADT generally charges significantly higher tuition than one would have to pay at a typical in-state university. However the marketers behind IADT are aware that there are a lot of young people who want to become designers, etc. who do not have the grades to get accepted at actual design schools. Thus, they jack up the prices and pretty much accept anyone, regardless of grades or experience.
Additionally, a "diploma" from IADT is almost next to worthless in the real world. I know that's hard to hear, but the fact is, there are numerous design/technology graduates from real universities. These are the people who will get the jobs.
My advice, as someone who knows IADT from the inside as a teacher: Don't waste your money on imitation schools. Attend a community college, get your grades up, go to a real 4-year school.
I think it is a great school, It is alot of money, but you will be making alot when you are finished. My husband goes to that school, in san antonio tx. He love's it and so do i. They help him alot with any problems he has. He has been going for 3 years and has 1 more to go. He works 40 hours a day and goes to night school for 6 hours. So how could you get beat, when most people work and go to school. If me and my husband can, so can you. And we have a 3 year old not in school. They have great teachers, students and staff. If anyone loves art, design and fashion. This is the school for you!
After reading all of these complaints, I am worried. I have just enrolled and signed my FAFSA and all of the other promissory notes they required. Now I am thinking I should just pull out now, before any classes start. Will I still have debt if I haven't even started? I don't want to have be a million dollars in debt for the rest of my life.. :(
Current (and potential) students, please read the following questions and then ACT on them:
1. What percentage of students in your classes attend regularly and/or seem capable of passing? If not over half, this is a potential red flag. Low or no entrance requirements and pressure from management may contribute to "questionable" students in your school. These are people who have no chance of earning a degree, which lowers standards, create chaos in the classroom, and ruins school reputations. The school goes on your resume so it needs a decent reputation.
2. Have you met alumni from your school, and if so, what do they say about the school and job market? Ask your career center about their alumni board (a group of grads). If they don't have one or give you the run-around then this is a very bad sign.
3. Do you wish to go to grad school? If so, the lack of regional accreditation in your school can potentially make that VERY difficult. Call a few graduate schools from a random internet search and ask them if you don't believe this.
4. Have you read current job market statistics for your chosen field? If not, do that now! For example (as of the date of this post), Interior Design firms are laying off, not hiring, and the game design is VERY difficult to get into, no matter what degree you have.
5. Are you going to be able to pay back those loans? How so? (See questions 1-4!) $100, 000 in student loans will cost somewhere in the $600-700/month range and you can't get rid of that debt in bankruptcy.
You need to know exactly what you want from a school and how to get it. Think about taking all gen-eds and basic courses at your local community college? You can save thousands that way and transfer community college credits into most any school.
IADT is a scam and a ripoff. If they weren't, why do you think they keep getting sued and their branches keep CLOSING? Unfortunately this is the downfall for for-profit schools. If you apply for jobs, they won't take you because the accreditation agency that they are under (which is an agency which all for-profit schools are under by the way. No regular college university is accredited by this agency) is worthless. I went to IADT from June-Dec a few years ago have transferred and got a big stamp from a university that said Not regionally accredited (which is what colleges/universities go through) and it doesn't take much to get aid from the federal gov't, which is why IADT can do so. When I found out what a scam they were, I basically transferred out right away. Obviously taking Math that you should already know by the time you hit college (middle school and probably before that even) shouldn't even be offered as a class at IADT and I was insulted and should've been red flagged when they picked your classes for you instead of being like a normal college and selecting what classes you wanted to take that fulfilled the requirements of your major. They trick you into making it sound cheaper than it already was and they went through two presidents in the 6 months I was there because one got kicked out for some reason(crime related I can't remember exactly why). Anyway I pulled out a ridiculous sallie mae loan that i was surprised I got approved for with a high interest rate just to pay for that stupid school for 6 months and i'm stuck with it but I'm glad I got out of there when I did and I feel sorry for those that found out way too late. Honestly legit schools for fashion for those that are suckered are FIDM (and they are legit. They run programs through UWISC) for example if you are seriously that passionate. Talk to graduates because the closest you will get to fashion from that school is ringing up a register at Target.