Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University

Must say I am beyond disappointed in this school. My son did his first year there and lived in the lofts at 5 Lyon. Donor recommended living there either! There was ZERO communication with the school administration or the apartment admins. My son went without heat in the winter, had plumbing issues, had no washer or dryer for weeks. My son moved out in May and was charged for June and July and denied 2 appeals. So we paid for 2 months that he wasn’t even in Grand Rapids. As far as the school goes, you can call or email, you won’t get help. Him and I were both trying and got no where. It is August and still no response on his living, his cost, his classes, and supply lists aren’t a thing until you’re in the class and need something the day before. My son is now transferring out of KCAD due to the complete lack of communication which is extremely unfortunate considering his dream was to go there for years. Their loss.

Professors were wonderful and I loved every one of them. They were the only saving grace of the school. Don't recommend going there. School and administration feel very politically run and don't make things right when they make mistakes. I had to take an animation class for my program. It was a required course where we had to learn a specific animation program. The course syllabus specifically said students would learn this particular program. The professor they assigned to us for the course did not know a single thing about this program, and told us on day one our learning would be up to us Youtubing how-to videos. Our class was outraged knowing that we were paying thousands of dollars for one class just to rely on Youtube. We wrote a letter to the Dean and others in Admin asking for some sort of reimbursement or to find a professor that could actually teach us, or not require this course since they didn't have a proper professor, but they refused to acknowledge anything and we had to keep the course, learning virtually nothing. This is just one example, but there are many other instances as to why this school is a joke and people should think twice about spending THOUSANDS for a mediocre education when they can get the same education at a much cheaper place. They say "the name of the institution means something and the more prestigious education you have, the more likely you are to get hired". I'm here to tell you that's a joke. If you have any art degree from any institution, it carries the same amount of weight in the real world.

As a student, I was treated pretty horribly there. The disability services failed me to the point of costing me thousands in class fees that I failed without my accommodations. Do not go here if you are disabled.

I am an alumni and came back to look at the student work. Nice artwork in there. The building has changed since I went there but looks fantastic! You can no longer walk through the building without an escort. Kendall is working hard to keep students and staff safe so if you want to look at the artwork, you will need to have someone show you around. Makes sense these days.

It was once a great art school, but ever since Ferris took over it has gone downhill, if you are serious about your degree look somewhere else.

It's a mess. A week before our Scholastic Awards Kendall withdrew as host and sponsor. The organizer told us the decision was President McCrackin's and she didn't see a benefit any longer. I remember her speaking last year and she was embarrassing. Apparently Kendall wants fewer students to visit.

The only program I can speak for @ this school is the Graphic design program. Coming here was one of the best choices I made. I felt unready and unprepared with only an associates and now that I am graduated with a BFA my portfolio and my body of work within it perfectly shows my design style and reflects my abilities. Many of the professors are willing to do anything to help you succeed, all you have to do is initiate that conversation and where you feel you need help. Like any school tho their are a few professors who are only their for a paycheck. However I gave the school 4 stars not because of my experience with the program but because of the admissions offices. The people who work on the 7th floor are some of the rudest people I have ever met in my life. Even many of the professors have admitted to not being impressed with the admissions office personal because of issues not being handled properly or unprofessionally. Likewise the school does not have a career center. Though a lot of kids don’t need a career center as KCAD offers many opportunities to network and work with local business’ in the graphic design department, many students in different programs could benifit from such a office where jobs might be tougher to find. Overall, the school offers a lot of great opportunities within the city of Grand Rapids and the GR community knows the work that comes out of the school is high quality. So you have a slight upper hand in the community because of the name on your degree when graduating. So take advantage of the schools connections when given the opportunity.

Lots of art from students of every kind of background. If you get a chance to come to one of their events, definitely go. Also check out The Spark, a little shop that sells all kinds of works from local artists- students included!! It is open to the public, so stop by!