Brooks Institute of Photography?

I'm looking into attending this school, I've already received the

information packet with application forms. Is anyone here attending

this school or have attended? My main concerns are cost (of

surviving) and the acceptance process. They appear to cater to

people with little to no knowledge in photography at all (because so-

far I haven't seen anything asking of a portfolio) as well as

experienced long-time photographers. All based on just how

interested and dedicated one may be to attend the school.

 

Financially speaking, tuition isn't much of a problem because I

receive VA tuition waivers (thanks to my dad) but will financial aid

be enough to even cover everything else? (Price of living, books,

fees, equipment, transportation, etc).

 

If anyone can offer me any information on this institute, I would be

very VERY appreciative.

 

Thanks!

Alana

Brooks has a good reputation. You should graduate with a good business sense of what

you have

to do to succeed. I had a friend who graduated there, and he retired well off. Costs to live

should be moderate compared to San Francisco. I visited the place and it was beautiful

and had a nice feeling about it. The surrounding town is sort of small or moderate, so

you should be able to walk to school, or bicycle. Rents should be lower than San

Francisco!

 

Brooks is likely regarded as in the top 5 photography schools in the nation. Somehow, I

doubt that you will be buying many books. I think you will like it there. The faculty told

me that their students continue to love photography as a career.

Alana,

 

How much do you already know about photography? If you know nothing, than any photography school would be great for you. You don't need to go to a "well" recognzied photography school to learn the trade. I attended Art Center College of Design here in Pasadena, CA for photography and didn't really learn anything new that I didn't already learned from a junior/communtiy college. Actually, I probably learned more from a junior college than I did at Art Center. Anyway, many say that photography schools aren't what they used to be. From the people that I've met and spoke to, instructors and alumns, they all say that it was great several years back...way back, like when TIMBER'S (previous post) friend attended...that's why he could retire well off. Also, the tuition is alot higher now than it was back than...around 10,000 per term (3 months). Would your VA cover tuition plus supplies and equipmental expenses? Timber is right, no text books. But majority of your $$$ will go to film, paper, and equipment. AND majority of the film and paper would be wasted because it would go toward experiments and testing. You might think film is cheap and paper is inexpensive but all these things add up. Eight terms of this, you'll graduate with a debt that even your VA benefits would have a hard time covering.

 

Heck, you could pay me and I'll teach you everything you need to know. From black and white developing and printing to digital retouching to lighting.

 

I'm not trying to burst your bubble. I just want you to think harder and do alittle more research about the school. Go to the campus and talk to the students and get some feedback, good and bad, from them.

 

Also, are you sure you don't need a portfolio?

I just spent two and a half years at Brooks...

 

First: Forget about walking and/or biking. There are three different buildings in Santa Barbara and one in Montecito that make up the campus in Santa Barbara County. All four are apart from one another and two of them are up VERY large hills. Plus you will be hauling around large amounts of equipment and supplies. While I did spend one year bicycling, it was exceedingly difficult and not by choice. This would only work if you decided to go into the Visual Journalism program that is now based in Ventura, 30 miles south of Santa Barbara, but then again with the amount of equipment you will be hauling around a car is a must.

 

Second: As the previous posting explained, the amount of money you will spend just to live in SB and on all of the equipment and supplies may not be covered just by financial aid.

 

Great school, incredible instructors, great place to live....and I may go back to complete my schooling, but if I had to do it all over again, I would go some place else.

"Great school, incredible instructors, great place to live....and I may go back to

complete my schooling, but if I had to do it all over again, I would go some place

else." -alison

 

I completely agree. If I had a choice of doing it over again, I would never go back and

pay the amount of money that I did. In my opinion, it's just not worth the $$$. I left

Art Center early because the tuition was getting way too high. Try you local

community colleges first...see what they offer. 40 bucks or less for a semester is a

whole lot cheaper than 10K+ plus expenses, supplies, and equipment per term or

every three months. If your work is good, than it shouldn't matter where you learn

the trade from. If you do attend, even with your VA benefits, be prepare to be in

debt...that is the reality.

Alana, If I can offer some advise - In choosing a photography school - first ask

yourself what type or area of photography you are interested in working. I

know this might not be an easy question to answer at your stage but it can

save you much time and $$$'s from choosing the wrong institution to start in.

Brooks has a varied reputation depending on which program you decide on

and there are numerious other schools that specilize in specific areas that are

as good and better. I realize that money is always an issue, but try not to

make it the final determining factor on where or how you choose.

Look at www.ccsf.edu for a community college with lots of photography courses. It isn't

pretty like Brooks, but the city is pretty, and you could maybe assist for a pro here in the

city.

Alana, I'm a litlle late here just found the site. I have to say that there a re a lot of good ideas here. I graduated from Brooks in 1996. It was a great experience, I learned a lot, met great people and wouldn't trade my experiences there. I also had a two year degree prior to that which helped me when I entered Brooks. As for the cost's. Santa Barbara is not cheap to live in if you are going to go at it alone. Apartments run from $650.00 (cheap, check out the neighborhood first type) to $1500.00 for those who can afford it. I was just back there a couple of years ago after Brooks was sold to a private company. I know that the structure has channged and is going digital which might be to your advantage, saving some film and paper costs. I think that the most important issue is finding a program that suits your needs, in a school that you aggree with. You will know the right program and school for you when you get that "feeling" that tells you that, you've found the direction you want to go. Brooks was good for me and continues to be a great school for photography. However, after being out in the profession for some time, I have met a lot of people who have taken many different paths to get here, some through schools and others through on the job training. Whatever you do have fun with it! Good Luck! Bob

I am currently working on my Masters degree from Brooks. It is a very good

school for learning the technical side of photography. If you plan on going

into a more professional side of photography, like commercial or photo-

journalism, then it would be the school for you. If you are looking for a more

art-base format, then a normal art photography school would be a better

choice. It is fast-paced and the classes are intense but the teachers are all

professional photographers and know what they are talking about. The tuition

is higher than most schools and the cost of living out here is extreme (Santa

Barbara is the mecca for the rich and famous). Some-times you can find

rooms available that are reasonable for this area. Don't go through the school

housing (R-N-R) they will cram you into any old dump. Brooks has an

excellent under-water photo program and I hear the portraiture classes are

the best. I am a nature photographer and can honestly say I learned a lot

from Brooks. Hope this helps you a little, Holly

The two contributors at the end here both registered at March 16 with a few minutes apart - and they have no photos here on photo.net. Are you guys real or are you just school reps who are trying to promote the school? Some proof of identity (website, photos etc) could be fine.

Yeah, those just sound like made up names.

Anyways, I'm seriously considering the advertising program at Brooks. Would you recommend it for me, I have free housing and meals, and am willing to bury myself in some debt. I'm assuming a successful stay at Brooks can and will give me career opportunities other schools may not.

So my questions are: Money aside, is Brooks the best CA photo school for one looking to be successful in a photo career?

And: Well okay, what does tuition cost anyways (ballpark)?

Hey james megagee What is brooks good for then? ANd what schools have better programs that brooks has?

anyone?

The tuition at Brooks for a full year is around 20k now.

 

I have the same info pack and have kind of toyed with the idea of going for a couple of months now, but the total tuition thing is what's got me to looking around. I'm in love with the place, though and was a little upset that people questioned the positive feedback of Brooks because the posters had only posted a few minutes after registering. I just registered a few minutes ago too so I could ask a question of my own and participate. It's up to you, I guess, to decide whether or not my name is fake.

 

Otherwise, the info in here is extremely helpful. Thanks!

Brooks Institute is indeed a great school to attend. When you decide on a school, ofcourse whether or not it's expensive plays a role but the people on here are acting as though that's the only factor that matters. I feel as though if you truly have a passion for photography and you know that that's a career that you plan to pursue in the future then you should just focus on completing the steps neccessary to get you into the school. If tuiion is a huge problem then stop being lazy hop on the internet, start doing your research, their are over a million scholarships out there with some of the simpliest qualifications. Ofcourse you have to pay for paper and film and etc, but that's also something that you will have to pay for throughout the years that you are actually fulfilling your dream once you've graduated from college. So, you paying for it at brooks is just a minor preparation for some of the things you will have to pay for once you start working at a real studio. Who knows you might even be buying more equipment than you did while at Brooks; but atleast it won't come to you as a surprise. Brooks may be expensive, but it is indeed a great school; but at the same time it all depends on the person I could visit Brooks and decide that it's worth the money, just because of my level of passion for photography; but at the same time you could visit the school and decide yeah it's a great school but it's not worth the amount that it's requesting. So visit the school and talk to others personally so that you can get the one on one info about Brooks so that you can make sure that it's really worth your bucks!

Alana, I'm a graduate from Brooks. Prior to Brooks, I was a wantabe National Geographic Photographer. At that time, it was all film and NGS was a dream job. The NGS suggested I go to school and I was living in Santa Barbara, so it was easy to check it out. It was DAMNED expensive, but I put together some funds and was accepted. I decided to become a Motion Picture Cameraman and set my sites on a degree. They taught me things I didn't think I'd ever need and more. By the last year, the NGS suggested I work in News and I applied to the local TV station for a job. I was hired, without question, and the news director was stoked to have a Brooks Student. After I graduated I worked in NEWS another year and then went to work for the NGS. So, the point of Brooks Institute is 'credibility'. I've traveled all over the world and lived on Maui for 25 years. Today, I live in NW Florida; I'm an accomplished Architectural Photographer and still use the increadible base of knowledge which I was giving from attending the best photography school. Please check my website. daveterryphotography.com Lastly, any school, or job, is what YOU make of it. Brooks is the West Point of Photography. Dave Terry:>)

Hey, I've been looking into Brooks as well. I would just like to know what you have chosen to do. Thanks!

<p>Hello, I just applied (and got accepted) to their visual journalism program in Ventura. The tuition for me, for all 3 years, is 82k.</p>

Financial Planning Assistance is available to all enrolled students at Brooks Institute. These professionals are available to assist you in exploring funding options, completing paperwork, and meeting filing deadlines.Financial Aid is available for those who qualify.

 

In case of scholarships and grants,Students may apply for a Presidential Grant each award year. Grants may range from $500 to $2,000 and will be distributed within the award year.

 

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