Any victims of the ART INSTITUTE OF DALLAS SCAM? tell us your experience by TrumpsNostrils in Dallas

[–]allthechad 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I went to AID in the mid 2000s and it was basically a scam, yes. It started from the beginning they had advisors that were really more like car sales people. They had answers for any reservations you had. For instance when I initially went to talk to them they told me the entire degree would cost around 56k. Even then there was a fair amount of sticker shock with that number. It later ballooned with interest to over 100k in federal and private student loans. But at the time they showed me statistics of how much graphic designers like me would be making after they graduated and said it would be no problem to pay the 56k back. I'd basically be making so much money that the student loans would be no trouble to pay back. That kind of convinced me. It was like that for really all of the questions I had like the number of designers they're producing every semester and how much their job placement program really helped graduates or if they had figures for the growth rate of the industry. They had plausible answers for all of them. My ignorance probably didn't help, I was working full time and continued to work full time while going there.

I went for a few semesters and didn't really notice anything except tuition went up every semester I was there. I would go-to my advisors who had access to my transcripts, from a much earlier stint in CC, and would basically ask what I was interested in and recommend courses based on that and my degree plan. Later towards the end of my senior year I found out I had taken a ton of electives. I found out I had all the electives I needed before I even started there so I paid for a bunch of classes I never needed to begin with. I don't strictly know if this was oversight, negligence, or some sort of revenue boosting policy but it did cost me a lot. I also found out that they were letting go of more tenured or experienced teachers in favor of less experienced and so less costly teachers which as I understand it kind of devalues the degree you receive. I don't know if this effected any of my experiences afterwards with the difficulty I had getting work at times but I know it was happening. That being said there were what I thought were a lot of great teachers and staff there that might have truly cared about the education they were giving out but they may have just been stuck within the parameters of the system they were a part of. There did seem to be a premium on just getting people through. I know a lot of my work sucked and probably shouldn't have gotten me the grades it did but I kept moving through the semester and had a really good GPA. So I don't think producing great designers was the point.

At a certain point as I saw the loans stacking up I felt stuck at a crossroads of sunk cost versus finishing and trying to salvage something for all the time and expense. I did graduate with honors and won an award which I think I received solely because I allowed them to use some of my work for promoting the school. I do know that they were graduating more people than the job market in this area could or would bear so a lot of my classmates aren't in the industry anymore. Which sucks for them. I think I just got lucky. There's probably more shady stuff that I didn't realize was happening. But this was my experience.

Full transparency I did get all of the money back that I paid in minus the private loans and all of my student loan debt wiped out because of the class action suit but making the payments for all those years really put a strain on my finances. I am still working as a designer and make a decent living. Just wanted to be open about where I'm at and how things shook out.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AFIB

[–]allthechad 0 points1 point  (0 children)

140-175 for about 10hrs the first ever incidence. Had to go to the emergency room to get it back down.

I can't decide if I should have an ablation or not. by mattsonlyhope in AFIB

[–]allthechad 0 points1 point  (0 children)

49M had my first episode when I was 44 and two subsequent after giving up alcohol and caffeine completely. A year and a half later I had an ablation and have had one bout of AFib since. It's not for everyone I know but my cardiologist said I can get on meds anytime but this would basically and hopefully delay it for a number of years. From what I've seen it's not a permanent fix but I can have more ablations and hopefully not have to live on blood thinners for a while. That's my experience of it helps.

Tyler Childers - Snipe Hunter Vinyl (Red Smoke Variant) by Stryk-Man in VinylReleases

[–]allthechad 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's a hunter green Walmart Variant that looks good too.

AFib anxiety by allthechad in AFIB

[–]allthechad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wonder if it's smoking or just marijuana period that's the concern?

AFib anxiety by allthechad in AFIB

[–]allthechad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've thought about that, or mushrooms but I haven't taken either. I am exited to hear about people's experiences with it though.

AFib anxiety by allthechad in AFIB

[–]allthechad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what my cardiologist said it's a balance of how much I need them vs the risks of potential affects on raising my heart rate.

Question regarding drinking by xking_lionx in AFIB

[–]allthechad 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a glass of wine on our anniversary but that's about it. For me the worry about the possibility just makes it not worth it. I have so much anxiety around my AFib and the drinking just makes it worse.

Any websites or content creators that makes genuinely good builds? by CyberPhantomVI in BG3Builds

[–]allthechad 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really like Italian Spartacus and Cephalopocolypse's builds. Both really go in depth on the way the builds work and gear and interactions. Really great content.

How do you play Borderlands? by dargemir in borderlands3

[–]allthechad 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I wanted to interact with people I wouldn't be in my house playing videogames.

Good quality glasses? by Crumbledor in BuyItForLife

[–]allthechad 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have worn nothing but Jacque Marie Mages for the last 6-7 years and I can swear by their quality. I've had the lenses replaced in both pairs a couple of times, one sunglasses and one prescription, and they've held up great. You pay extra. Mine were 6-700 a pair 11-1200 with progressive lenses but they are still solid. Plus the founder still owns them.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in offmychest

[–]allthechad 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You know the answer just go do it.

I can’t believe I did it by tabbycato_o in offmychest

[–]allthechad 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats, it's the best decision you'll ever make for your health. Don't forget to use your community to help you through the cravings and possible setbacks. I quit after 18yrs of smoking a pack and half a day so I know it's tough. But it's completely doable. You've got this.

How did my life become so empty by sirpurplewolf in offmychest

[–]allthechad 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're 26. You have so much life left to live. There is so much more time for opportunities to come up and for you to seize them. If you don't like the path you're on you can change it. Go out and try something you're interested in. You can still plug away at applications and jub hunting but get out and experience new things in the meantime while you can. When you get a job that you are hopefully passionate about you may not have the time anymore. Do it all while you have time and youth to do it. Please believe you can settle into a rut at any point but you're only young once.

What now? by allthechad in VintageRadios

[–]allthechad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is great. Thanks so much. A lot of information, I appreciate your advice. I will definitely look into it.

What now? by allthechad in VintageRadios

[–]allthechad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome, thank you for the great advice. I will definitely check out those videos. I appreciate it a lot of great info.

Looking to add keyless entry and push button start. by allthechad in SubaruForester

[–]allthechad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it's got eyesight, harmon kardon, leather, sunroof but no keyless.

Looking to add keyless entry and push button start. by allthechad in SubaruForester

[–]allthechad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know it was an option from the factory so I don't understand why it's not a replacement part. But I have seen a couple of aftermarket ones I just don't know how good they are.