Review Idyllwild Arts Academy
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Jason S.: For years I have wanted to express my opinions about Idyllwild Arts Academy, but I have found no online venue in which to do so. Not to sound vitriolic, but I am glad there are some places online now where parents and students can read reviews about this boarding school that paint a more full-bodied picture of what it is like to attend Idyllwild Arts. I hope these reviews will encourage parents and students to make a more educated decision in whether or not Idyllwild Arts in a worth while venture for them.
I started to write a review about my experience as a student at Idyllwild Arts, but by the time I was finished, it turned into a four-page expose that the Idyllwild Arts organization would probably try to sue me for. This does not make my claims any less valid or untrue mind you, I would just rather they not try to come after me or my family.
So here is my review in a nutshell: (this is coming from a graduate of Idyllwild Arts- Theatre Program) DON NOT GO HERE. This place an absolute sham. IT IS NOT worth your money and the faculty (for the price you pay) is a highly under-qualified bunch to say the least.
They feed you a great sales pitch about how selective they are, about all the astute artists that convene there, and about all scholarly work that goes on at the school, but in the end, that is really all it is: a great sales pitch. The truth is they will accept any kid just to make a quick buck, and most of the untalented cash cows they accept are nothing but burn-out delinquents that have been kicked out of every other boarding school in the country.
The theatre faculty consists of washed-up bullies and has-beens. The academic faculty is a joke as well; some of them do not even have college degrees.
If you are a teenaged student looking for intense training in the performing arts, I would look at the Walnut Hill School or Interlochen School for the Arts.
Also, if you would like a more in-depth, detailed review of my experience as a student at Idyllwild Arts please read it on Wordpress my username there is dontgotoidyllwild.
I started to write a review about my experience as a student at Idyllwild Arts, but by the time I was finished, it turned into a four-page expose that the Idyllwild Arts organization would probably try to sue me for. This does not make my claims any less valid or untrue mind you, I would just rather they not try to come after me or my family.
So here is my review in a nutshell: (this is coming from a graduate of Idyllwild Arts- Theatre Program) DON NOT GO HERE. This place an absolute sham. IT IS NOT worth your money and the faculty (for the price you pay) is a highly under-qualified bunch to say the least.
They feed you a great sales pitch about how selective they are, about all the astute artists that convene there, and about all scholarly work that goes on at the school, but in the end, that is really all it is: a great sales pitch. The truth is they will accept any kid just to make a quick buck, and most of the untalented cash cows they accept are nothing but burn-out delinquents that have been kicked out of every other boarding school in the country.
The theatre faculty consists of washed-up bullies and has-beens. The academic faculty is a joke as well; some of them do not even have college degrees.
If you are a teenaged student looking for intense training in the performing arts, I would look at the Walnut Hill School or Interlochen School for the Arts.
Also, if you would like a more in-depth, detailed review of my experience as a student at Idyllwild Arts please read it on Wordpress my username there is dontgotoidyllwild.
Submitted by a Former Student on Aug 8, 2011
Idyllwild Arts is an awful place. The academic and arts education is subpar for the amount the school charges. The administration is hypocritical and have a hierarchy among students. Full pay students come first, and everyone else can solve their own problems. Additionally, the theatre teachers are disrespectful and also just plain mean to students. The creative writing department is dry and most of the works are whiny and not well written. The library is understocked and disappointing. Further, there is a high use of drugs among the IAA community. Many of the students even smoke on campus or in dorms. The academic teachers have no respect for students' art or the fact that theatre productions, dance shows, etc. take time from the evenings and do not grant extensions. The financial aid department is irregular and unprofessional. It is great that Bill Lowman is retiring because he does not respect parents or students. He is impatient and mean. Many school policies are contradictory and unfair. The students have no rights. Do not come here. It is not worth 50 grand. Most people do not return due to extreme unhappiness with the school. It is NOT all its cracked up to be.
Submitted on May 20, 2011
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