Savannah College of Art and Design

Scad is allegedly and IMO a scam. I unfortunately wasted 3 years of my life there and countless dollars. Get a masterclass membership (it’s like 160$ a year or something) and you will learn much more for WAY LESS and from more notorious teachers. Scad offers “therapy” sessions for students, but it’s really just a way for them to see if you’re thinking of leaving the school and not giving them anymore money. They also keep a record of what you come to speak about in your “therapy” session and all the staff who work there (in the therapy office at least) can read your chart and see what you told the “therapist”. I also needed SCAD’s medical urgent care once as I had the flu or something and they made me wait for over an hour in the patient room, no doctor ever came to speak with me so I walked out and they had the audacity to ask me to pay for my visit even though they had done NOTHING but just stick me in a room. If all that isn’t enough, you have to walk everywhere, there’s no parking. Half the professors are weird egotistical jerks. The idea that it’s a top school is allegedly a marketing ploy, they let in something like 85% of people who apply, if you can take out the loans to go there, they will 100% let you in (allegedly). IN MOST CASES YOU DO NOT NEED AN ART DEGREE (or at least not one this expensive) please thoroughly consider other options before choosing this school. I can say without a doubt that my time at scad was the WORST time I’ve ever experienced (I obviously have a negative bias because of my experience, ofc trust your gut and your own judgement though) but if I could go back in time I would never even apply. I can’t tell you how amazing it is to leave this review from my perspective, I hope this can be a warning for someone and I hope you make better decisions than I did!

I’m an alumni from SCAD, the professors here literally helped me get my first contacts in the art industry that lead to my full time work in my dream job! Now SCAD has their CAS (Career and Alumni Success) office that has a large full time staff whose job is to help students and alumni find full time work. Most schools DO NOT have this resource!!! If alumni are complaining about scad not supporting them, they are not being proactive in using this ANAZING resource. On top of that SCAD hires professionals as their professors. Who can teach from years of experience. The 1 star reviews are from students who didn’t apply themselves or didn’t take advantage of the many resources you get for what you are paying for.

Despite all the bad reviews SCAD is a great school with amazing professors and countless learning opportunities. They are constantly offering workshops, activities and different events that aim to help the growth of their students. Yes it is pricey but thet offer many opportunities for scholarships and grants. I graduated with a BFA in painting and now I’m going for my MFA in Fibers because SCAD is an amazing institution.

Amazing college. We are here on a tour. I hope my son attends this school in the Fall.

This school's reputation is much better outside Savannah than it is in the town where it exists. Many students graduate deeply in debt, but without the qualifications to make good money. The trust fund students do not have to worry, obviously. SCAD's reputation rests mostly on its own, very aggressive PR machine.

I studied Graphic Design and Painting at SCAD many years ago when it was a smaller school. Although I did enjoy the fine arts environment and made some lasting friendships there—I do not think the school did a great job of providing its students with real world skills that would actually pay off in the market place. My recommendation to prospective students is to talk with industry professionals that are doing the work you eventually want to do and get a feel for the job itself and also the salary it will pay. The high price of this school does not provide a good ROI (return on investment) for it’s students. After I moved to Atlanta and attended a different art school I got the skills I needed to have a productive career, I stayed busy and could not only pay my bills but do much more. I would strongly recommend taking a look at the practical side of the education you are looking for and diligently explore your options.

Run!! if your transfer advisor seems irresponsible and lacks knowledge of the academic programs. They might place your taken credits into any courses as if they are organizing their fridge and might even intentionally provoke you.

SCAD is merely a marketing operation. You can save your money and be an art or design major at a state school instead. Besides, SCAD does not help students or graduates find jobs.