Columbia College Chicago Reviews

"Disgustingly terrible administrative help. If you want to study anything that requires technical expertise, look ANYWHERE else. The teachers themselves are very kind, knowledgeable, and professional educators. However, the college is a money hungry institution that will try to squeeze every penny from their students. Their administrative services like admissions, academic counseling, or their treasury department have a blatant disregard for the students, and will make the process as inconvenient as possible, taking up to a week to respond to a simple email. My academic counselor would not let me change my major even though I would be able to complete the changed major in the same time. The treasury will take at least a week to get back to you, so if you have ANY issues that are time sensitive with your scholarships, student loans, or academic transcripts you are going to be on the losing end. If you want professional expertise, great administrative services, and not have to be drowning in student debt (I received scholarships and still have loans), go to almost any other school in the Chicagoland area (College of DuPage, UIC, DePaul to name a few). Unless this is your LAST RESORT, I would not recommend going here, practicing your craft by yourself (unless you cannot afford equipment) would be more beneficial than this college."

"I really liked my fiction writing program. It turned me into a better writer. Becoming student body president helped me to become a leader. Overall my gratitude to Columbia is great. However, if I was not provided with many scholarships, I do not know if I would have the same feelings. Fiction writing is no longer a part of my career, but it gave me deep empathy and understanding that I plan to bring into my counseling career. I had some of the best educators of my life at Columbia College Chicago. They were understanding, talented and could teach that talent which is not an easy feat. I am disappointed to hear that many programs have been cut or merged for the sake of budget cuts, especially the fiction writing department. That department was special and uniquely why I applied to the school. While I loved going there in the past, I don't know if I would have the same urgency or energy towards that ideal now. Though I do admit it is pretty cool that they finally finished the student center they always talked about building. I hope that it breathes new life in the teachers and students, but especially the administration. We deserve to have an art school that is affordable, mindful of its students and encouraging of creativity and individuality. That's what I signed up for when I went, though I don't know if you can say the same now. Ultimately, I would recommend this school because the faculty deeply care about their students and that helps art grow."

"Columbia College Chicago provided a hands-on learning experience in the heart of Downtown Chicago where the city was my entire campus. My professors for the duration of my time there were all approachable; had office hours where I could come in and discuss whatever questions or ideas I had about assignments. Each semester, there were always great speakers who would come to campus and provide valuable information and insight on careers, the arts, and world affairs. For a majority commuter school, the offerings in the form of student life and entertainment on campus were unrivaled. There are several places to study on campus and with parks and transportation options making every campus location accessible; computer labs, the library, and the many gallery spaces made every day an adventure for me as I worked and learned from working artists across various disciplines."

"What a great school to attend! I was very happy with the staff and programs Columbia College had to offer me. If I could go back and do it all over again I would! Columbia College opened so many doors for me, I couldn't have asked for a better college experience."

"Columbia College Chicago is an institute dedicated to encouraging and celebrating the talents of individuals who do not aspire to fit a specific mold but rather intend on creating his or her own mold in a world that trivializes the arts. It offers a learning environment that is collaborative and without boundaries while being taught by professionals who are still participating in their fields - a fundamental pro that not only provides students with trending knowledge but an advantage that opens doors to internships and other post-grad opportunities ensuring success in all fields. Futhermore, Columbia College Chicago cultivates a bright, welcoming, and inclusive community that inspires its student body to support, uplift, and value one another through partner projects and Manifest Urban Arts Festival - a popular and annual celebration that implements a platform for students to showcase their work. It is a college that will provide you with the necessary tools needed to reach personal, professional, and academic success but more importantly the ability and confidence to be extraordinary."

"This school no longer offers a Master's in Art Education, sadly. It was a wonderful experience and I am a successful art teacher because of the education I received there."

"Going through Columbia's Arts Management grad program prepared me to work in multiple disciplines across the arts. Ample networking opportunities existed, and I left feeling prepared to work. The program does require you to have a lot of self-direction, though."

"Take advantage of all the services and special departments. Columbia College has many hidden gems like the Center for Black Music and the Print Shop & the Photography Center. Remember that Chicago is your campus! Go out, listen to music and eat good pizza and make great art."

"The Cinema department is fairly excellent, and those of my friends who have pursued employment in the film industry have done well. I left to join to the ASL department, and was not nearly as satisfied. It is a small department, and cattiness is a problem. The method of assessment does not adequately test the skills of the student, and if one fails, they are left with few options and very little guidance. The program itself is good, but students should be prepared for a lack of support by the staff."

"You get out of this school what you put in. Network, network, network. Focus as much as you can on specific classes and teachers who can offer you things you want in your future work. It is a place which you can either take the easy way or really put in your own effort and get an amazing arts education."

"Columbia College is a great school if you want to live in the middle of big city, and you're seeking a campus filled with diversity. Specifically, if you're in the Advertising program - the staff and faculty are always there to help you and give you real world experiences. If you ask, they are willing to help you find scholarships and internships with great companies. Columbia is also always offering networking opportunities so that you can meet with company representatives as well as other students who you can work with throughout your college career. All of the teachers I met worked or were currently working in the field that they were teaching. Columbia is a great school and the people there are passionate about what they do."

"Columbia College is a good art school that has mediocre job placement It certainly makes sure you get the experiences and education you need to pursue your field but it fully expects you to be doing everything you need to outside of class to ensure your future, it's never too soon to start a portfolio and learn how to sell your abilities and worth as an employee or artist"

"The class sizes were small and it allowed teachers to focus on teaching at a good pace for the class while also being able to help individual students if needed."

"Strengths: Outstanding professors, diversity, events Weaknesses: High tuition, not many scholarships available, difficult to find a job in the field"

"It was a great place to learn. It was a creative environment with small class sizes"

"The MAT Visual Arts K-12 program at Columbia College Chicago has proven their stellar reputation for networking their pre-service educators with seasoned teachers throughout the Chicago-Land area. The resources and connections provided for their students is second to none. The student advisory department, however, tends to be disorganized and inconsistent in their delivery of vital information such as deadlines and extra-curricular requirements for completion of the program."

"PROS: AMAZING and competent professors, excellent location of study, strong connections within the community, strong curriculum/course of study, nice studios. CONS: not a lot of support for quantitative research, education regarding licensure is very late in program course of study."

"Faculty are involved and engaged throughout graduate studies, this is very helpful as you develop professionally, through internship opportunities."

"My graduate program makes a sincere effort to discuss culture and diversity. The program could grade harder or more realistically. At times it feels like everyone gets the same grade; this is frustrating for (healthy) competitive learners."

"I feel like the abundance of technology and avant garde teachers is amazing and worth the high tuition and cost of living in the city!"