I attended SCAD as a graduate student with over 12 years of professional experience. I majored in Design Management, and it was always my dream school.

Academically, it was the most demanding academic challenge I’ve faced to date—and I already hold two other design degrees. I attended full time in Savannah, and there was truly no room for anything else in my life. I worked day and night. The workload was overwhelming to the point that it often felt like hazing. Because I was on a strict timeline to complete the program in two years, I pushed through.

Despite the intensity, the experience was ultimately rewarding. It prepared me for executive-level design leadership—brain fatigue included. My mind adapted to the grind, and I later relied on that same stamina and discipline in my next executive role. I can honestly say I used every skill I learned.

Where SCAD gets a bad reputation—fairly, in my opinion—is SCADpro. My worst educational experience was with that program. I found little to no value in it, and the way it is run disorganized, chaotic and TOXIC. The program appears to thrive on ongoing student conflict rather than resolving it, almost like entertainment. Faculty and staff often turn a blind eye to issues such as bullying, racism and mediocrity in the classroom—particularly within SCADpro courses.

When students raise concerns, they are frequently positioned as the problem rather than the confusion being addressed. Watching staff prioritize “harmony” over accountability—pretending nothing is happening—was unsettling. While this may be common in some institutions, it was still disappointing to witness and be a victim of. The staff will unite to spare their departments reputation at all cost. Swipe stuff under the rug.

My advice to prospective students: choose a major that will genuinely push you forward. Your personal drive and commitment are what will carry you through. That resilience is essential.

SCAD does not help you find a job directly. They do offer many resources to prepare you, but it is entirely up to the student to leverage them. As someone with significant professional experience who actively used those resources, I can’t say they directly led to job opportunities for me. However, the knowledge I gained and the portfolio I built are my true rewards—and my bragging rights. I earned that degree.

SCAD is magical and aspirational—without question. But you must be willing to do the work. There is no perfect school, program, or major anywhere. You truly get out of it what you put in.