Full Sail University

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Kizmet, Oct 3, 2013.

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  1. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I ran into a WebAd for this school and realized that while we have mentioned this here and there I had never actually looked at the website. Maybe it's because I think the name is rather unfortunate. In any case, I decided to take a peek. I was pleasantly surprised with what I found. While it has some relatively conventional degree programs (Business, Communications) it also has some rather unique programs such as Film, Gaming, Art and Design, Web/Tech, etc. The primary focus seems to be a mix of tech and creativity. Pretty cool, I thought. Appealing to a niche DL market. I didn't look at prices and am betting that they are at the higher end. This school is not for everybody but it seems they're not even trying to be for everybody. Refreshing.
    Take a minute and check it out.

    https://learn.fullsail.edu/Full_Sail_4a?mncid=412&mnckeyword=full%20sail%20university&utm_medium=INS&utm_source=Google&utm_term=full%20sail%20university&utm_content=Full_Sail_4a&utm_campaign=branded&step=input&gclid=CPvk4du9-rkCFYWf4AodYGoAMw

    ***I am not affiliated with this school in any way.
     
  2. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    I always hear good things about this school. The name is brutal though.
     
  3. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    Their actual website is www.fullsail.edu. I agree with Kizmet, Full Sail caters to a niche audience. I had been intrigued with Full Sail since reading about them in the mid-1990's. As a Full Sail alumnus I'm extremely satisfied with my experience at Full Sail. The classes were great, relevant, fun and extremely challenging as well. The only cons about the university are the prices-very expensive-the lack of RA, and the name. God the name blows.
     
  4. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    When I was in Mississippi for 6 months, Full Sail ran ads every morning on the AM news shows on TV. Catchy commercials. They have some very cool sounding degrees and at the time (2008) I remember looking into their programs and being shocked at how expensive they were.

    Probably still pretty high price. Especially for a non-RA school.

    One of their notable alumni is a guy named JD who does media stuff on the Howard Stern Show. Interesting kid (*weird*).
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 3, 2013
  5. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    Yep, they are still extremely expensive. Let me use my program as a example:

    MFA-Creative Writing(48 credit hours), total price $33,150. Included in the price are the following items:

    * 15" MacBook Pro Laptop
    * Microsoft Office Mac 2011 Media Set
    * iWork
    * Final Draft Pro (price for this software alone is $899)
    * BeeDocs (download)
    * Storyboard Pro (another expensive software)
    * All books and materials

    It's nice that they include these items, however, the tuition is still pricey. I was fortunate to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill to pay for the program.:banana:
     
  6. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    The thing that really gets me about their name is that their logo is a plane, not a boat. :wtf:
     
  7. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    lol,i agree. Their old logo did have a boat in it, however, I don't know why the change to a DC-3. :nono:

    [​IMG]
     
  8. rebel100

    rebel100 New Member

    I live near their main campus and know a few instructors and support staff that work there.

    I really feel like they do a disservice to many of their students in that they sell the flashy glitzy movie biz yet provide an expensive degree program that leads to far to few actual jobs.

    The place bills itself as the front door to the entertainment industry yet this area seems littered with grads who inquire about my need for french fries...with that said they are a far better school today than when they opened, enrollment seems robust, and they are hardly the only school out there selling a "better life" to potential students.

    IMO they are little better than U of P...but at least its a little better.
     
  9. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    That old logo was pretty groovy. It makes me want to pack up my VW bus and go to a Grateful Dead show....
     
  10. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    There are two sides to every story, Full Sail grads have and continue to work on major production, here are just a few:

    38 Full Sail graduates worked on the production of seven different Academy Award-winning movies.

    Full Sail Grads on Fall and Winter’s Biggest Game Releases.

    Full Sail Alumni on 55th Annual Grammy Winners: 61 graduates were credited on 47 projects nominated in 36 categories.

    It is true that many graduates end up working less desirable jobs. However, this is also true of many university graduates across the country. I once met a Duke grad working at a Starbuck, it happens and it sucks, such is life. Do you need a degree from Full Sail to succeed? The answer is no, if you are dedicated enough to make it into showbiz, then you would have gotten in regardless of where you went. And that is the key. Full Sail grads that do make it into their fields get it, they know that they have to work their butts off in order to make it. Many students think that just by having the degree alone jobs will come looking for them. It just does not work that way.

    At the beginning of my program search, my Full Sail rep made it very clear what this degree (MFA) was and was not. I understood it, however, I was 37 at that time. I don't know if most 18-year olds listen to their reps when getting information from Full Sail, my guess is not that many.

    I agree Full Sail is not for everyone, it is extremely expensive, degrees fall within a certain niche, NA instead of RA. Having said that, if the person understands what they are getting into and is willing to work hard, then going to Full Sail is not a bad choice.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 3, 2013
  11. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    LOL. I'm curious to know your gripe with UoP. You seem to hate it more than I do.
     
  12. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    The bachelor's program in "Music Management and Merchandising" at Full Sail University has been identified as one of the worst degree programs in the United States from the "gainful employment" standpoint. This rating is based on the amount of debt taken on by graduates of the program, vs. the amount of income that they earn after graduating.

    For graduates of this program, debt repayment takes 29% of their annual income (the maximum acceptable level is estimated at 12%). Not surprisingly, only 24% of graduates are still repaying their student loans (in other words, 76% are in default).
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 4, 2013
  13. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Degree in game design/programming? Well, if you're serious (and can get over the fact that every 12-year-old aspires to this field) you can get a really first rate degree in game technology, here in my part of Canada. A 4-year Bachelor's in Game design will set you back about $32,000 at Sheridan College. Game Design | Video Game Development | Sheridan College

    This is a great school. Maybe I'm a little prejudiced in its favour - both my sons are Sheridan grads. :smile:

    We don't have the NA/RA problem here. One province did let a few DETC schools start up, not many years back. The degrees of such schools were legal, but did not have "mainstream" standing in Canada and there were a couple of abysmal school failures - I'm talking Meritus & Lansbridge, here. Unlike the US situation, there is really no "second tier" of accreditation here.

    The fact that Higher Ed. here is generally of a very good standard - and is more affordable than in the US - has had predictable results. We have 50% more US students here now than we did a few years back - despite our miserable winters. :smile: Welcome to Canada, eh?

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 4, 2013
  14. expat_eric

    expat_eric New Member

    One of my employee's sons went to Full Sail. What he told me is that he spent $100K in the sound something or other degree. It is essentially to be one of the sound effects people on movies and such. The kid graduated a few years ago and has been unable to land a job using the degree. I don't know how typical this is, but $100K for a very specialized BA and then to not get a job scares me.
     
  15. Afterhours

    Afterhours Member

    They are very expensive and it's well known that they will admit anyone. The name alone would turn me off, coupled with the logos that are as lurid as a chain restaurant or a theme park.

    They are also a for profit school. There has to be something better out there.
     
  16. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I think there is - besides the Canadian school I mentioned - and that one doesn't do degrees by DL anyway, as far as I know. This school is now RA - University of Advancing Technology . It certainly picked a better name than Full Sail, at least. It doesn't have the Disney-glitz about it, but it does provide game technology degrees, if that's what's wanted. Campus and distance offerings.

    Still a for-profit school. Can't help that.

    Johann
     
  17. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    'Tis a pirate-ship of a university, matey. And 'tis not even rated Arrrr-A! :smile:

    Hoist the yellow plague flag on this 'un. And bring yer skipper another mug o' Barbados rum -- there's a good lad! :smile:

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 5, 2013
  18. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    These are the programs I've found for audio engineering. A degree in this field is not really important.

    SAE is not accredited in the U.S., but it is approved to operate in a few states.
    SAE Online | Online school for learning audio, animation, games, music, business, film, media, web

    Berklee offers online courses and certificates.
    Online Courses and Programs in Music Production, Guitar, Songwriting, Music Business, & Music Theory - Berklee Online

    Midlands Technical college offers online courses.
    Audio Engineering Online Courses Midlands Technical College Corporate & Continuing Education

    There was another school in the UK that I found, but I can't remember the name.

    In game design:

    Mesa Community College offers an online Multimedia and Game Technology program.
    Multimedia & Game Technology - Programs & Degrees - Mesa Community College

    Westwood College offers a program, but they are also expensive and only nationally accredited.
    Video Game Development Degree, Software Development Schools, Online

    The Art Institute is nationally accredited.
    Game Art & Design Degree (Online Bachelor's) | The Art Institute Of Pittsburgh Online Division

    Post University is regionally accredited.
    https://www.post.edu/online/degrees/game-design-certificate/index.shtml

    IADT is NA.
    Game Design & Production Degrees | Online & Campus-Based Programs at IADT

    Southern New Hampshire University.
    Game Design Online Degree | BS in Game Design & Development | SNHU

    Academy of Art University is RA.
    Online Game Design Schools | Classes | Academy of Art University

    Almost everything else Full Sail offers can easily be found as online programs at other schools.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 5, 2013
  19. rebel100

    rebel100 New Member

    Not a personal experience really, I just feel like its a predatory lending/education model focused not so much on profits (which would be OK) but on maximizing costs to students through taxpayer backed and funded financing options. I think UofP is a shark tank. I feel like Full Sail engages in the same sort of predatory practices.

    when I see Uof P on someones wall or in a resume my personal bias rears its head...I think these people are incapable of visualizing the big picture, unable to think through moderately complex problems....they aren't people I typically want around me or on my team.
     
  20. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I feel much the same way. To my knowledge, there is not a single degree program offered by Phoenix that can not be had less expensively from some (many) other school. It makes me think that the person just didn't do any research at all. Enjoy the red socks, they cost you thousands of dollars.
     

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