brooks college or fidm (Long Beach: rental, bad credit, student loans)

[kkjjrr]

can anyone help me? i have been accepted to both brooks college and fidm i just can't decide which one to attend. I want to study fashion merchandising/marketing. i need to hear peoples opinions about these schools thanks

[Paula Lynn]

I don't about the other school, but Brooks is in a great area of Long Beach, next to CSULB (Cal State University). Close to shopping, food and nice rental properties. As far as Brooks itself, I don't have any feedback. I know 20+ years ago it was an all female school, but since it has added more majors, it is now co-ed. Hope this helps some.

[renngrrl]

I'm a grad of FIDM and Cal Arts. What is the tuition at Brooks now?

[Bethannart]

Hi,
I graduated from Brooks but wish I had gone to FIDM. I think it is more respected in the industry. However my major was Fashion Design. FYI, I am now a graphic designer. Brooks was not able to help me find work in the fashion business and being their graduate didn't seem to mean much when job hunting.
My 2¢

[Paula Lynn]

Originally Posted by Bethannart

Hi,
I graduated from Brooks but wish I had gone to FIDM. I think it is more respected in the industry. However my major was Fashion Design. FYI, I am now a graphic designer. Brooks was not able to help me find work in the fashion business and being their graduate didn't seem to mean much when job hunting.
My 2¢

I also heard that. There was an article in the Press-Telegram that recent grads were upset because Brooks did not follow through with their job-placement promise.

[drycounty3]

In my own opinion do not go to Brooks. I attended Brooks college in 2000 and feel it was the worst decision of my life. They have a bad reputation and even have a nickname "Crooks college." They were also one of the schools focused on in an episode of "60 Minutes" on CBS because of illegal false promises made to its students. They try to sign students to fit a quota and they pretty much accept anyone who applys as long as they can make money off of you. Also, the credits earned at Brooks do not transfer incase you ever wanted to earn your B.A. Also if you're planning to live on campus, then please don't go to Brooks. I don't know if it's changed since 2000, but when I was there the air conditioning was broken, roaches were everywhere, pigeons flew in the cafe doorway. And the staff... that would require another paragraph. I should have seen the signs. They advertised like crazy on t.v. just like a business. If a school has a great reputation on its own, they wouldn't need to advertise. Congratulations for being accepted to fidm. AS for myself (after paying off the student loans from 7 yrs ago for nothing) I am looking to transfer to a university. Good luck, I wish all the best that you deserve!!!

[drycounty3]

Here, I found the link to the CBS story I mentioned.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/...in670479.shtml

[guide]

Daughter has been accepted to Fidm. Her mother and her looked very carefully, and it appears to be a good school, a bit pricy I think. But, She is already working on a fashion project for admittance.

[kellee26]

I suggest you go to FIDM and Brooks College. Brooks college is a scam okay. I went to this school for 1 monthto find ot that they denied me financial Aid so I will have to pay out of pocket. So I stopped going. About 2 years later I decided that I wanted to go To Long Beach City College and I tried to apply for a credit card and they told me that my credit was high risk. I decided to order my credit report to see that Brooks College had 6 student loans taking out in my name from Sallie Mae. Luckily I was able to dispute it and have them investigate it and it was wiped off my credit. Not only that Brooks College had recieved a Pell Grant for $3500 dollars and I didn't get a damn dime. Alot of people is in serious debt because of them. and on top of that no one has a job after they done spent everythig they had. There's no future after brooks college. That's your decision. Fidm might be a little better. I don't trust these private school they almost never find anyone a job after they went to the school for 2 years took out about 3 loans to pay for this school. and after their finished all they have to fall back on is a bad credit report and low credit score. Keep that in mind.

[kellee26]

i'm with you on that one! they are crooks. They put so many people in debt it's a shame. I went to that school for only a month. They told me hat my financial aid was denied and I would have to pay out of pocket. I left. 2 to 3 years later I decided to check my credit report. I look and seend that Brooks college took out 6 loans from Sallie Mae in my name. I recieved a letter from The Commission Student Aid somethign like that I can't think of it now. Saying they was going to keep ,y income tax and start garanishing my wages, so I told the current school I attend and they was able to get information stationg that Brooks college recieved A Pell Grant for $3500 dollars and that's how much they calimed I owed them in loans for the month that I was there. They never told me that recieved a pell grant for me. See I'm cool that school is a scam to get your money, they don't have good teachers. It"s a waste of time. They do nothing for you when you graduate. You might as well go to a community college that's legit. Brooks college should be investigated and hut down. People care about their future enough to go to school, and with schools like Brooks college people think nowi t''s a waste of time to go to college cause all they do is take your money.