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Tribeca Flashpoint College Reviews

  •      32 Reviews
  • Chicago (IL)
10% of 32 students said this degree improved their career prospects
13% of 32 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

CK
  • Reviewed: 4/20/2014
"We were built up throughout our time at the school, being told that Companies were just ready to snatch us up as soon as we graduated. However as soon as we did, Career Services picked favorites and only helped a select few to obtain a job. Mostly of which were students in the Film department, as the Career Services people all had backgrounds in HR for the Film industry. They knew nothing about Game Development. The campus however was cutting edge, it gave us the correct tools, but execution of the education was very lacking. Non-motivated students were allowed to remain in groups instead of being repremanded to "cut the fat". They were allowed to stay to boost numbers early on in the school while motivated students were left to suffer doing all of the work with nothing to show for it."
Tribeca Flashpoint Academny
Responded: 8/28/2014

Hi CK!

We're glad to hear you liked the campus, and sorry to hear about your feelings about your peers. Like every college, we cannot guarantee employment for every student upon graduation. Many of our hard-working students find work in their desired field shortly after graduation, but none of our students are handed jobs. The industries that we train students for are very competitive. In addition to earning your degree, landing a job requires that you take advantage of the networking opportunities presented to you, work hard to create a solid portfolio while at TFA, and put in lots of independent effort into the application and interviewing process. We do our best to set our students up for success, but getting a job is ultimately the responsibility of each student. To take advantage of our alumni resources, including our alumni-only job board, please feel free to contact Career Services at 312.332.0707.

S.M.
  • Reviewed: 4/16/2014
  • Degree: Video Game Design
"Throughout my time at Flashpoint, the curriculum changed so frequently that all the students became familiar with several programs (that we had to pay for) but never became more than a novice at anything unless they took the initiative to teach themselves outside of class. As a programmer, we learned one of the least useful languages which ended with no job offerings after graduation. Everything I know now is self taught."
DP
  • Reviewed: 1/14/2014
  • Degree: Visual Communications
"In my time at Tribeca Flashpoint, I was constantly slowed down by the professors and faculty. I quickly learned that if I was to get anything done, I would have to do it externally. What then is the point of paying $50,000 if I can learn and do what I'm doing in class not only outside of class, but in a more timely manner, with better quality, and more efficiently? Is it the vast array of coast to coast contacts they boast about? In my time here I've met only a hand full of industry professionals, and all in the Chicago area. Is it the access to the latest and greatest technology and programs? Every student must buy their own computer and programs, as all the computers in the class rooms are 8 years old, and they lack any kind of render farm which cost me literally hundreds of hours rendering out my own projects. The Career Services department is demeaning and condescending, acting as if they have to bend over backwards to provide you with anything more then guidance in writing your resume.  "
Tribeca Flashpoint Academy
Responded: 8/28/2014

We love hearing student feedback, so thank you for taking the time to write this review. We're sorry to hear that you don't feel that your money was well-spent with us. We pride ourselves on helping students turn their passion for art, storytelling and digital media into a real career. We do our very best to ensure you're getting the most bang for your buck at Tribeca Flashpoint Academy.

-TFA

JoeyB
  • Reviewed: 12/12/2013
  • Degree: Video Game Design
"If it was an option, I would give this school zero stars. Tribeca Flashpoint is a terrible waste of time. Do not come here or send your children here; the price tag is too high and you come out without much of an education. Your time is wasted on classes that are truly unnecessary and teachers do not listen to concerns, in fact, they spend their time justifying the "reasons" why the teach the way they teach. Their "career development" classes and their job fair are a joke. It is unclear to me how many students got jobs out of those scams but, judging by the amount of unemployed graduates, I can assume it's rather low. Upon seeing how past graduates are faring, I am not looking forward to searching for jobs on the field I've studied. If you're passionate about the fields that this school "teaches", do yourself a favor, get a monthly membership to either Lynda.com or DigitalTutors.com and learn from them... you'll be learning faster and more, not to mention you'll be saving a lot of money."
Tribeca Flashpoint Academy
Responded: 8/28/2014

Hi Joey!

We love hearing student feedback, so thank you for taking the time to write this review. We're sorry to hear that you don't feel that your money was well-spent with us. We pride ourselves on helping students turn their passion for art, storytelling and digital media into a real career. Our tuition costs are based on what it takes to keep industry-standard equipment at our students' fingertips and seasoned pros at the helm of the classroom. We do our very best to ensure you're getting the most bang for your buck at Tribeca Flashpoint Academy.

Please know that the Career Services team is always at your disposal. Feel free to call if we can help: 312.332.0707

Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 7/14/2013
  • Degree: Video Game Design
"Tell us about your college experience.The school is a challenging one, and you will be pushed to the limits almost every week. If you want to learn about a particular field, this school is great, but the job will not follow. The career services team is insufferable, and will drive you to the edge of insanity. All they want is a quota (placement in field) average from you, and once that is met (it won't), they will stop contact with you altogether.Would you get the same degree if you could start over?I would NEVER choose TFA if I had a chance to start over. The school likes to mention that every school has the same type of career services program that depends on the student, but I know graduates of other schools who we're basically handed jobs before they even graduated (mostly real universities such as Purdue, Ball State, etc.). You will learn everything you need at the school, but you won't get a job from it.What advice can you offer other students?Do not choose a trade school, they are awful. Tribeca Flashpoint Academy boasts a 73% placement rate of students, but it requires 70% to even be considered a school, which is pathetic really. On top of all of this, you will be $50,000 in debt, with an 8% interest rate, for a TWO year school, with an associates degree. Don't waste your time, go to a real university."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 7/8/2013
  • Degree: Computer Animation
"While the instructors are good and very knowledgeable what i learned while there it was geared towards west coast studios nothing here locally uses what I studied.what they don't tell you is NO studio hires students right out the gate you have find your internship some where and gain experience but who is really hiring ???Very few if that and more graphic design based than what you were expecting and as far as job placement they download job listings and email them to you ??They do no real work from what i seen other brown nosing companies to visit the campus they have these misleading advertisements claiming we have worked with real world clients thats a lie...the tours are lies ask how come the only do the tours when school is closed and financial aid is a joke there was only Sallie Mae loans they barely got FASFA these last couple of months. YTes the school is still developing its only 6 years old it maybe a great school someday but for now stay away the staff is brilliant but the powers that steer that ship are strictly business men who haven't the foggiest clue about cutting edge education the classes are made up the only classes that have any real structure are the english,speech and math courses your discipline classes are a hodgepodge of criteria and you really don't get proficient till the end near graduation ,so stay away go some where else they talk a good game but really cant deliver trust me."
Tribeca Flashpoint Academy
Responded: 9/5/2014

We're glad to hear that you feel the instructors were knowledgable. We absolutely hear your frustrations with the staffing and management. As a young school, we're making the changes that we need to make in order to provide the best education possible for our students, both short-term and long-term. Undoubtedly, there will be growing pains, but we are doing our very best to provide our students with the best experience possible, which requires changes. We are sorry you felt that it affected your experience at TFA and we assure you the changes we are making are for the benefit of our students.

Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 4/3/2013
  • Degree: Film Production
"The faculty only sees you as a waste of their time, and seems to think of all students as below them. On more than one occasion I have seen faculty yelling at and belittling students in the middle of a class.Often time when working on a project the faculty or staff will never reply to you attempts at communicating, and when you cannot complete the project aspect because of their incompetence, they will blame you.Most of your in class time will be spent doing nothing or listening to lecture. All the talk about hands on is simply for show, it never actually happens.All the fancy equipment they are always talking about? Yeah it's over 7 years old. you can go buy a macbook pro and t3i and be better than what they have.Connections the school brings? None. the only time you'll make a connection is by researching the people yourself, and simply use being a student as an excuse to contact said person. Almost all the time they will have never heard of the school."
Tribeca Flashpoint Academy
Responded: 9/5/2014

Hi there,

Thanks for your review. We truly appreciate it. We are sorry to hear you feel that no one cared about you during your time at TFA and that you did not secure connections from the school. Our aim is to provide students with practical training they'll need to take their passion and turn it into a career. This requires a lot of time in the classroom as well as many hours spent outside of class practicing. The Career Services team is always at your disposal as an alumni. If ever we may be able to help facilitate a connection, please reach out: 312.332.0707.

Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 2/27/2013
  • Degree: Film Production
"You would be better served throwing your money into a barrel and setting a match to it."
Tribeca Flashpoint Academy
Responded: 9/5/2014

We're sorry to hear that you don't feel that your money was well-spent with us. We pride ourselves on helping students turn their passion for art, storytelling and digital media into a real career. We do our best to ensure you're getting the most bang for your buck at Tribeca Flashpoint Academy.

Debby Borg
  • Reviewed: 6/17/2011
"We took a tour of Flashpoint earlier this month (I am the mom). They stated many times that YOU, the student, will be free lancing and YOU will have to go out and find jobs within the industry. With a portfolio and networking that takes place for two years, students have a better chance of landing something as opposed to getting a traditional four-year degree. There are no guarantees with any college degree--especially in this economy. Your review sounded more like sour grapes to me! If you have talent, motivation and a passion for media arts, then this school is a stepping stone to your career. Don't expect to be handed a six-figure salary job the day after graduation."
Tribeca Flashpoint Academy
Responded: 9/5/2014

Hi Debby!

Thanks for your review and your support.

-TFA

Howard Tullman
  • Reviewed: 6/1/2011
"This school is a joke. It doesn't matter how much they teach you of whatever they believe is "cutting edge" technology education, because you won't find any work once you graduate. They also don't tell you that you will be completely free lance and on your own to find work. That is IF you can find any at all.This school, and the film industry in general is a lost cause. There are WAY too many people looking for work in the "business" for someone just starting out to make a name for themselves. Flashpoint will tell you that you have to move to L.A. In order find any work. The problem with that is, you think there are a lot of people in Chicago looking for work, just wait until you get to LA. And if you don't have money, how are you going to make it in California?Basically you are better off going to Colombia college where you will receive a more well rounded education with more opportunities at finical aid, and your resume will look more impressive if you actually go to a school that people have heard of and has some accreditation. Forget about Flashpoint. You'll just end up working in a gas station or Starbucks these days anyway."
Tribeca Flashpoint Academy
Responded: 9/5/2014

Like every college, we cannot guarantee employment for every student upon graduation. Many of our hard-working students find work in their desired field shortly after graduation, but none of our students are handed jobs. The industries that we train students for are, like you said, very competitive. In addition to earning your degree, landing a job requires that you take advantage of the networking opportunities presented to you, work hard to create a solid portfolio while at TFA, and put in lots of independent effort into the application and interviewing process. We do our best to set our students up for success, but getting a job is ultimately the responsibility of each student. To take advantage of our alumni resources, including our alumni-only job board, please feel free to contact Career Services at 312.332.0707.

Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 4/14/2011
"The school was just recently built in 2007 so of course its not strong enough to be on its feet and provide the amount of financial aid that any older, larger school could. They do offer scholarships and aid, you just have to earn it, i.e. writing deserving essays, providing a strong high school work portfolio, and having letters of recommendation on hand. The school thrives on giving the benefits to the students who TRULY deserve them. I have always been told that its not the school nor the degree that gets a student the career, its the work and effort the student puts into the degree and/or school. So enough about everybody rating and back talking schools. If a school has finacially rigged someone and stole money from them illegally, then of course that school should be reviewed and shut down for that matter. But otherwise, leave the schools be. Its the students that make the school what it is. So I support Tribeca with its gorgeous facility and its ideals. Its a great school for students who really have that desire to be a part of the digital industry. Also, in today's digital and animation industry, its not about whether you have an associates degree or a bachelors degree, its about what is in your portfolio. Enough said. 99% of the businesses you apply for after graduation will immediately look for a portfolio filled with projects and work all through college and even high school. Yes, the degree helps, but the difference between an associates and a bachelors degree will make no difference if you have a remarkable portfolio."
Former student
  • Reviewed: 1/26/2011
"The school offers hardly no financial aid. Because the classes take place all day, students can't work a full time job to pay for tuition. Talented kids without much money really don't stand a chance. The students are mainly white males from the suburbs. Hardly no diversity whatsoever. The teaching staff is very good but their financial aid sucks."
Tribeca Flashpoint Academy
Responded: 9/5/2014

Hi there -

Thanks for taking time to write a review. We heard student feedback, and we are always working to be able to provide more financial aid to students so they can make their dreams a reality.

- TFA