There is not a single day, or single quarter that goes by when I don't hear complaints about FIDM's administration, politics, and policies.
You hear it every day, Alumni not being able to find jobs, students complaining about tuition, teachers complaining about the curriculum and yet this seems to be the topic of discussion that reverberates throughout the institutes hallways, relentlessly.
It's almost as if our school anthem has become the students complaints followed by disregard by our administrators that echo back with a tour for prospective student's who are witnessing the same false promises I dreamed of not too long ago.
I can't help but think of where my own education stands as a graduating student and why outside these halls, my pride falls short when I state the name of my school. I think of the competition that my peers here at FIDM will face from other schools, and if we are up on the same level as students graduating from other universities. I can't help but think this because, this is the security that FIDM did promise me when entering this institute, and now I am doubting if I could even compete with students from other schools?
I think the reason for th
is is doubt comes from our schools structure itself and the fact that it is a for profit university. Although I do believe that there are good, and qualified instructors at fidm, I feel as if though the problem is the lack of interest, as students learning enrichment and education to be the schools top priority. I think of how the school is more focused on expansion of endowment, instead of the cultivation of their current student body. Do not get me wrong, again, I believe that FIDM does have instructors who are great not only at their profession in the industry but in educating students as well but, I believe that the numbers of these instructors fall short. For what we pay for in tuition, and for our own school being an accredited university, I believe that every single one of our instructors should be an outstanding educator, and professional. I am baffled by some of the instructors, and even the curriculum that is taught at FIDM. Since FIDM does run as a for profit, it has the ability to higher professionals who have industry experience even if they only have an Associate of Arts degree. Although I do believe that many of these teachers are great in the industry, many of these instructors do not have the formal educational background, or a Masters, and in some cases even a Masters Degree. I can't help but think of how we are supposed to compete with schools, even HIGH SCHOOLS with more educated and qualified educators. I can't even begin to fathom how difficult it was for me to find out that my own classes at FIDM were not transferable, and that I had to take another year at a Junior College to apply to a 4 year university.
What I don't fully understand is that I do believe FIDM does have student's and instructors who are passionate, and most of all, it has every possible resource to change and be at a competitive level.
What I don't understand is why there has not been opposition, or at least why no one has exposed the school for what it actually encompasses, I can only hope better for current and prospective students, and that one day FIDM will be able to not only teach industry practices, but challenge them on an academic and intellectual level so they are not only preparing students for the industry, but for a well rounded education as well.
~ FIDM Advanced Studies Student
you should've seen kelly and bethany going at it. to say that there's major drama... would be an understatement.
i can remember so clearly the early days of visiting, touring, and meeting with my admissions advisor at FIDM. i was excited beyond measure. fidm felt like a dream come true. everyone was so nice, everything was so beautiful, and they really made me believe that i belonged here...
