Art Institute Online

[xXys0seriousXx]

This is more of a slight rant/looking to get opinions possibly. I had inquired with the Art Institute Online division in the Pittsburgh area to look into online classes for web design. I went ahead and spoke with an admissions counselor and did all the up front meet and talk about what I want etc etc. I then began to fill out the online application and stopped part way through simply because I was too busy with other stuff for work primarily. That and the fact that I am not 100% sure I want to do online courses with AI.

Over the course of 2 weeks I think I received almost 50 calls (no exaggeration) from AI (nearly all of which I ignored as I felt that I would contact them when I was ready and sure I wanted to go there). A day or two ago I finished up the application (finally) and stopped at the payment screen as I wanted to be sure I was 100% sure I wanted to do this. Within 5 minutes of closing out of the payment screen (to go back later to) I was getting calls AND emails from the admissions person at AI... not just 1 or 2.. I got 4 emails all saying "CALL ME NOW!" and 6 phone calls within 40 minutes.

I emailed the admissions person back (no way I was calling them) and told them flat out if I got one more call or email they could consider me as not going there... it got to the point that I was so irritated with them that I am 99% sure I am not going due to the fact they have been basically stalking me for 2 weeks. The admissions "director" emailed me back to apologize and said the admissions person I was working with was " a bit over zealous"... a bit?

Am I over reacting here?

[dead.cell]

Nope. Sounds utterly ridiculous to me for them to behave in this manner. Would've done the same thing.

[xXys0seriousXx]

Yeah I thought it was a bit too intense... sad because I would have liked to have checked it out. But this experience left a bad taste in my mouth with them.

[TheKindred]

They are acting like they get a commision's off of students. lolol

[xXys0seriousXx]

I know tell me about it. I was pretty turned off by this experience with them. It's a shame.

[Emily_June]

Certainly not over-reacting. No one likes to be harassed, and that's exactly what they're doing: trying to harass you into making a decision that you'd prefer to take your time with.

I looked at the Art Institute of San Francisco, a couple of years ago. They sent a few catalogs which, truth be told, I rather enjoyed looking through--they were very well done. However, they kept sending more and more stuff, and eventually started e-mailing and calling as well. It wasn't quite to the level of what you're experiencing. I received maybe all of 7 calls in 3 months, some of which I answered, some of which I ignored. I'd receive maybe one or two e-mails every other week with upcoming seminars and what-not. It really wasn't too bad, but even with that much I was getting irritated. They have since stopped calling, sending mail, and any e-mails I might have gotten have gone to my junk folder.

They're somewhat like leeches; very difficult to shake off. You certainly should not let them bully you into making a decision, and I think you handled the situation perfectly.

-Emily

[MasterC]

I go to the Art Institute of California, Orange County, and when I was in the process of applying a year and a half ago I didn't get that many phone calls or emails. I think it's rediculous that they kept calling you, and I don't think that you were / are over reacting.

[HTF]

i did the same exact thing, i talked to the admissions counselor, then i filled out the app half way, and just never got back to it. and i literally got 2 calls a day for like a week or 2, then they would call like every couple of weeks. not to mention all the emails i got about how i didn't complete the online app. they hassle people big time.

[xXys0seriousXx]

I am glad I am not alone in this over reacting.... I mean seriously... it is ridiculous.

@HTF: What did you end up doing for school/design?

[HTF]

nothing yet, it kinda got put on the back burner. need a new car. and i just don't make enough money right now to be able to go to school.

still kind jumping around on what i really want to go to school for. cause i like computer, electronics, science, ect. lol. i've taken some classes on universalclass.com.

[Edrick Smith]

Let me tell you schools like that are all about the marketing, Full Sail is no different I go here for the Film Bachelors Program. I also work for the Behind The Scenes Department a major monthly event they put on for prospective students and parents where they'll fly on down here and check out the school. In the Questions tent which is where you go after your tour for food and questions they've got tons and tons of flat screens just to show the name of the department those people represent. But it's all fancy stuff you'd think it was some type of trade show. They have commercials made, and whole intro sequences and everything. These types of Technical schools are all about the money they can bring in.

[xXys0seriousXx]

That is crazy man... but, to be honest, if I had the money and the time I could afford not working, I would totally do Full Sail.