Comments on: Is Full Sail a Scam?

By: FOR-PROFIT

FOR-PROFIT — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 11:11:51 +0000

People are commenting that graduates from Full Sail are left with a large amount of debt and no job. Some are responding that if the graduate can’t get a job than it is the graduate’s fault.
Why is a school graduating people who are unqualified for positions? It is a scam because they allow everyone to graduate. Doesn’t matter if you can do the job or not. They are happy to put you in massive debt.

By: Craig

Craig — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:57:46 +0000

Is Full Sail a scam?
I feel like I am in a good position to rate this school, as I have been to a regular state university for 2 years, and Full Sail, both for music. I have also played the piano for 20 years now. I will do my best to give you an honest opinion, yes its an opinion, of the music programs. We need more of those, right?
I will graduate from Full Sail in 6 months from the 29 month campus music production program. The school is much different than the regular school I previously went to. The classes are a month long which I thought was strange, at first. Full Sail is big on working quickly, and moreover, creating a portfolio. That is exactly what some months are dedicated to at the school. You work on a project that could be used to get work in the industry, or put out into the world. Different teachers work in different facets of the music business, but many have music on ESPN, Netflix, Hulu, the list goes on and on. For one of our classes he wrote a track with the same tools provided to us by the school, and the same techniques he showed during the course, from start to finish, answering any questions along the way. A couple weeks later he informed us that the track was picked up to be used on television. I don’t know how much more job specific you can you get than that. It was more than the techniques he displayed that motivated me, it was also the possibility that I could do this with the things I learned, and complete it in a matter of hours. Some of the classes I found easier than the traditional school I attended, and some more difficult. Full Sail classes often spread the information into multiple classes, so you are always using it, and working on your craft. It is also a very hands on school, and not just devoted to classical music theory. Full Sail is very progressive and is always changing. 20 years ago the school was just a couple rooms, and they did Audio training. Im from this area and the campus seems to grow every few years. Full Sail accepts the GI Bill (which is a good sign) and is nationally accredited but not yet regionally accredited.
The state school I went to is pretty much typical of any other 4 year school. The credits transfer to “better” colleges in many cases, which is a plus. They rarely ever mentioned the word portfolio, or audio, they were more focused on the student learning a single instrument and a lot of music theory to go with it. I don’t have any negative comments about the traditional college, other than that it is similar to an education one would have received prior to the onset of any kind of technology. Its a good school if you want to do say, solo voice, cello, or classical piano teacher. Things like that. Not near as industry related as Full Sail. You wont touch a computer either, unless you buy yourself one.
Im not going to make this an in depth study or anything, but schools generally teach the same things. When you learn Audio 101, its pretty much the same everywhere, and only how the info is presented thats different. With the internet you can learn absolutely anything for free, so their really are no excuses to the amount of knowledge you can attain. Im going to do my thing no matter what school I go to. Hey, if you are worried about credits transferring, than maybe its not for you. Maybe school isn’t for you. Maybe you can go to Harvard and be a doctor. I don’t know your situation.
Full Sail is most definitely not a scam, but yes it is different in the way they operate.
I wish you all the best.

By: askland

askland — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 20:05:27 +0000

Hi Megan,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am so happy that so many students are having a great experience at Full Sail. For the record, again, I have worked with many audio techs on pro shows that went to Full Sail. I realize that different people have different experiences, but for me, seeing “Full Sail” on a resume is a green flag, not a red one.

By: Megan Freitas

Megan Freitas — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 18:16:52 +0000

Hi I’m currently a student at Full Sail University. I had a transfer from a different college because I changed my major from cybersecurity to Game designer. I’m a single mom and I work 2 part-time jobs and got school full time online. my GPA is 3.75 at this school. I have never had my GPA that high before. Full Sail is a wonderful college to go to.

By: Aaron Bishop

Aaron Bishop — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 09:24:01 +0000

Oh boy, I was going to stay out of it…but, dude in the beginning said his business regards a Full Sail degree as trash and anyone can work at Domino’s especially with a Full Sail degree. First, I live in Gainesville Florida which is very close to Full Sail. It is awesome and I have always regretted not going. A high schoolmate did and she is booming right now and has been from the moment she stepped out of Full Sail. She did it though, not Full Sail, not whining or blaming or crumbling in the face of obstacles. I came across this looking for lectures of Full Sails or used texts. If you want to get a feel of what it’s like subscribe to them on YouTube and watch some lectures. Never forget though, don’t be an asshole because not everyone can work at Domino’s. Make the most out of all of your choices.

By: Marguerite Ellen

Marguerite Ellen — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:06:27 +0000

Full Sail is what you make of it.
I graduated with my BFA in February 2016.
I moved to Los Angeles, California last month and I am working in the industry.
My education at Full Sail is my only experience in the industry.
Your destiny is in your hands.
Hard work pays off.
If you want it bad enough, it will happen for you.
Full Sail is not an easy University to go to but, if you actually read everything required and do all the assignments, you will learn something.
Good Luck!

By: jackaspen

jackaspen — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 17:42:58 +0000

I was the first graduate of the super program 93 Recording arts/ Video and Film Production despite a slow start ended up graduating with a 3.8 overall gpa worked free interning for a couple years many small short term free lance projects after and finally had to give up and get real job. When I attended the instructors were good the equipment was top notch but the school was a joke. Even instructors were not being paid but john had a brand new 780 benz.
Obviously clear that nothing mattered except marketing and money. If the school was 1/4 the price maybe it would be worth it. But instead it is ridiculous and absurd and a ripoff. If I had it to do over I would of gotten a degree in something medical and bought the nice equipment for my home studio

By: askland

askland — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 17:56:01 +0000

Thank you to all that have contributed their experiences and thoughts since I first posted this blog article back in 2009.

I don’t have any new personal experience about Full Sail to add, either pro or con. But I did have something related I wanted to share.

There is theater and performance school (which I won’t name) that has a long time reputation as being a scam and a money mill. I recently had a friend roped into the school – given lots of awards that fed into their insecurities and their desires to make it as an artist – they went to the school and dropped out after one quarter because it’s “not for them”. I gather the truth is they realized the money machine that they had gotten rolled into.

Yet, at the same time I am working on a high profile show and both directors attended this same school. The directors are excellent, one of them possibly being the best director I have ever had the privilege to work with.

So, does cream rise to the top no matter which cup it’s poured into? Something to think about. While this blog post was focused on “Is Full Sail a Scam” – that might be the wrong question. The right question might be “Can this school provided the opportunities to learn the craft without prior experience” or similar to that.

In any case, whatever you decide, I know that for people starting out in the arts it’s a long and difficult road. I’ve worked in the arts for 40 years now, 30 years as a full time living. It’s not an easy road and I wish the best to each and every person who has the dream to pursue it.

As always, we appreciate your experiences and feedback here so prospective students can make the best choice for their studies.

By: tony t

tony t — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 20:12:09 +0000

wow a lot of negative comments claiming that they don’t have enough time to study, that the courses are too hard for online teaching. really? the classes aren’t that hard. if you fail out of full sail, then yes it was a bad choice for you. try community college? at least when you fail out of that, you won’t be owing so much money. pathetic.

By: Beverly Booth

Beverly Booth — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:17:18 +0000

I find it interesting that the individuals who say Full Sail University or College is a scam; never went there or flunked out. If you check out any University and ask is it a scam you will get replies. Here are a few that have scams wrote about them: Harvard, Babson, Brigham Young, UCLA, Berkley, University of Rochester, Georgetown, University of Miami, etc.

This school was founded in the 1980’s for audio and is the home of Platinum productions. The alumni were involved in over 75% of the Grammy’s and Academy Awards. It is one of of the most progressive schools in the country.

My son found the school in the back of a Game Design magazine, ironically I gave it to him. We flew down in April the year he graduated. I told him he could stay home, I would attend! We both laughed. He graduated June 24th and started on June 30th, At that time they were not a University and only offered Associates. His teachers included founder of “Myan Computer Games” Shack O’Neal is the only one who can place his arms reach across the entire sound mixer. Would Shack go to a scam school,? I don’t think so.

There are many famous musicians, game designers, stars, groups who have attended, taught or performed at Full Sail. It is the home of Platinum Productions. Check this out yourself it’s all online.

As far as cost. Expensive and well worth it! Thousands of Grants and Scholarships are available, you just have to search and do the work. Instead of a dorm there are hundreds of apartments in walking distance. FS even provides a free roommate match up. Instead of spending money on dormitories they spend it on education.

Do not be fooled and miss the opportunity of a lifetime to visit this school.