California Agency Alleges Brooks Institute of Photography "Willfully" Misled Students

Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California has allegedly been conducting misleading recruitment practices by promising students they could earn between $50,000 to $150,000 in photography after graduation. According to a recent investigation by California's Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education the school was given a conditional operating status after it was found to have "willfully" misled students to believe that they could find high paying jobs in the field among completion of their program.

The New York Times reported that the 60-year-old trade school had been under investigation for some time by the bureau and had sent an undercover investigator to the school.  According to the newspaper:

The California bureau, in addition to finding violations in Brooks's records, sent an employee to the school, posing as a prospective student. The report said she was told that she could expect her starting salary to be "$50,000 to $150,000" in her first year after graduation from Brooks - enough to pay off the debt she would take on as a student. "The sky's the limit," the admissions official said of her prospects, according to the report.

But the bureau's examination of Brooks's records found not one 2003 graduate at any degree level whose reported wages and employment tenure were enough to generate even $50,000 of earning potential.

Indeed, of the 45 graduates reported by Brooks as employed full time, the average income was about $26,000, the report said. The average indebtedness of this group was around $74,000.

In the official report, not only did Brook's officials mislead students by projecting high salaries, but they also presented false information on the availability of jobs.

In order for the school to continue operating under conditional approval, Brooks must now return an unspecified amount of money back to all students enrolled since 1999. According to The New York Times, the payoff to students could amount to between $21 - $43 million, which would be a drop in the bucket considering that Brook's parent company Career Education Corporation earned more than $300 million last year alone.

It is not clear which of the various programs offered by Brooks were investigated, but anyone connected to visual journalism understands that competition for entry level jobs is extremely intense and the salary poor, especially at small weeklies and dailies. Brooks began its visual journalism program in 2001 and some observers claim more than 300 students are enrolled in courses at any one time.

Daniel Sato, a former visual journalism student at Brooks, confirms in his blog what the investigation now makes clear:

I was told by the admissions adviser that Brooks had a high graduation rate and an excellent job placement rate, finding jobs for 90% of its graduates. With tuition costing around three to four thousand dollars every two months, job placement and average salary was a question that was in the front of everyone's mind heading in to Brooks.

 

It is hard to imagine where all the graduates from the Brooks program will go to find work in a field with seemingly limited opportunities for employment. The National Press Photographer's website lists about 50 universities with photojournalism program across the country. With student enrollment in the emphasis ranging between 20 and 150, depending on the institute, there are far more students graduating than there are opportunities for them in the field at present.

According to the Education Portal, in 2002 the "Median annual salaries of waged photographers was $24,040 according to the Bureau of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook."

As an educator, one of the most difficult discussions I face having with my students is what they will do after earning a degree with an emphasis in photojournalism.

I hope I am honest with my students about the prospects of this occupation and I hope they understand the situation clearly.

I hope I convey to them that opportunities out in the so-called "real world" are earned not only by mastering technical, compositional and journalistic competencies, but also through having a strong work ethic as well as good interpersonal skills.

It is no long "good enough" for students to just be photographers and take great pictures.

Students must be good writers and communicators as well. They must grasp the complex relationships in the world in order to tell compelling stories. Yes, students must be visually literate and technologically sophisticated, but they also must be integrative, analytical and critical thinkers.

Then, and only then, can students expect to "make it" in an occupation besieged by the trend toward bottom line business deals and share holder earnings.

In discussions with students concerned about their future, I find myself asking them what if photojournalism does not work out as a career. What if the dream fade?

If they cannot find work as a photojournalist after spending so many years and so much money in college, then what?  In advising students, there must always be a Plan B. Many of my students think about these things. They cross train themselves in journalism as well as political science, history, sociology, or education. My students are beyond book smart, they are "real world" smart.

Judging from the charges leveled against Brooks recently, apparently the  recruiters failed to consider the consequences of promising so much from a field that offers a median income of $24,000 a year nationwide. Apparently, the recruiters are determined to place profits over people. It's a risky game--one that they have been called on.

Promising students that they will make $50,000 or more right out college in photography is like promising the moon and fails to live up to the obligations educators have in being honest with students.

Much thanks to student Daniel Sato for the heads up on this story and to Apad's Melissa Lyttle for posting the original source links.

Comments

[Janice]

My daughter went to Brooks from 00 to 02. This was not the environment advertised. The conditions were poor - the food was horrible. And to top it off - she was constantly hit on by one of the counselers (a 37 year old male). I contacted the Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare. They could only look into the finances, but I was given advice how to handle this situation.

I received an apology from the school, and to my suprise, my daughter received a check for $2000. stating that she had overpaid for that semester.

She also went to AIU. I had to take out loans for the fancy apartment. I owe over $25,000, Not including all the other expenses incured. There should have been tighter regulations on these type of schools.

To this day, we are both trying to recover from this BIG FAT WASTE OF TIME!

[Rocio]

When I first went to brooks college, I had just turned 18. I was told that my mom was not eligible for loans but that I was. How was I eligible for loans if I did not have credit and I was not working?. The loans I got were suppose to cover everything. I was told that I qualified for FAFSA and GRANT money and I still had to pay some of my materials for myself. They were also selling Parking Permits to everyone, $75.00 per Quarter knowing that there wasnt enough parking in the school. What they were teaching was not the ADVANCE type of skills that you would expect an expensive school to teach. Some of the teachers were being fired for teaching the student the right way. Other teachers will just give you a passing grade if you showed up to class a second time for failing the first quarter. There was teachers teaching things that didnt even go with your major. Who needs psychology for fashion design? When I started the first Quarter, my class was full. By the 3rd Quarter, more than half of my class was gone. Some kicked out for "owing" money and then their were those who said that the financial people were trying to make deals with them on taking more money out from their loans and sharing with them. I happen to drop out on the 4th Quarter for not having enough money to keep attending that school, that was a personal choice, and thank GOD, or else I would owe more money than I do now. A couple of months later Brooks College sent me a letter that said I owed them money. PEOPLE! FRESH HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES. IF YOU WANT A GOOD CAREER AND YOU DONT WANT TOO WORK THAT HARD FOR IT. SO YOU DECIDE TO GO TO A TRADE TECH OF ANY KIND WHAT SO EVER!!!TYPE OF WANNA BE COLLEGE... THINK TWICE, WOULD YOU RATHER GO TO A COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR A CAL STATE AND SPEND 4YEARS WORKING HARD FOR THAT CAREER, OR DO YOU WANT TO WORK TWICE AS HARD TO PAY OFF YOUR 30,000 LOAN FOR THE REST OF YOU LIFE BECAUSE YOU FIGURE,YOUR TOO LAZY TO GO TO A REGULAR COLLGE SO THE FASTER YOU GRADUATE COLLEGE THE SOONER YOU'LL HAVE MONEY. ITS NOT WORTH IT!!!! You get nowhere in life by taking shortcuts..Go to a regular college you'll have more fun and more time to enjoy the college life.

[Tracy]

My daughter and I have been looking all over the United States for good photography schools. We looked into Brooks, the Art Institutes, and ended deciding between Pacific Northwest College of Art or Marylhurst University - both in Portland, Oregon. PNCA is pricy (80,000 after four years) but Marylhurst is cheaper in that they have a dual enrolement with PCC, (Portland Commuity College) so you can save about 20,000! Marylhurst is in the Lake Oswego area (NICE) and PNCA is in the heart of downtown Portland (a little crazy as far as parking & one-way streets) - but still a geat school. Just make sure you know what your are getting into. Brooks said we could get about 30,000 in scholarships and grants, leaving a 50,000 loan. PNCA has some private funding, so you possibly could save $$$. Hook up with FAFSA and check out EVERY government grant $ scholarship you can.

[Fallon]

I attended brooks college in long beach for fashion merchandising. I graduated with high honors. The ytold us we were the best of the best and we would be able to get any job we wanted. They said I could be a buyer. I can work sales, but I could do that in high school. $40,000 later and years of trying to make up the classes that should have transfered I still am struggling with the fact that I wasted my time. My journey was altered because of brooks. Not tht I didn't make some of my best friends, but there is a moral issue here.
Thanks Crooks:)-
me

[Andrea]

I attended BIP from 2000-2003. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Journalism, the first class of journalism graduates. When I began my course work in 2000 they did not have the journalism program it began half way through my course work. I regret making the decision to become a ginuea pig and wish I had studied a different course. My biggest issue with Brooks was that when I had started courses there the student teacher ratio was only 15:1, by the time I had graduated it was more like 40:1 and the tuition had sky rocketed, so I feel like I was getting less education for more money. Despite the obstacles of a less than perfect journalism program I graduated with an above average GPA and was very proud of myself. I went on to apply at several different newspapers for work over the next several years, I was told every time there were no openings not even an intern availability. I do believe I was falsely guided by the administration, promised the best education for the money, everything before the journalism program was quality I have no regrets, but the journalism program wasn't worth my time. Of course I could have switched degrees after I realized what a sham the journalism program was but that would have meant more money out of my pocket and by that point I just wanted to get my degree. I believe I would have been much more successful with a different degree and feel my photography education stopped when I began down the journalism path. In this case I do believe I am entitled to some sort of tuition reimbursement, I definitely did not get what I paid for.

[Thomas Tade]

My daughter went to brooks in 03-04 and she was givin false promises and hopes but in the end she was left with lots of loans to pay off she left and could not get a job so she went back to school and received a degree in teaching and now is an 3rd gread teacher. Brooks sucks big time just a ripoff like the housing department there.

[Louanne Mc]

When we spoke with an admissions rep via telephone inquiring about our son entering Brooks in 2005, all he asked about was whether we could back up our belief in our son's photography talent with a valid credit card. "Put our money where our mouth is," he joked. He never asked to meet our son, or schedule an interview or see a portfolio. That didn't matter. There was a certain arrogance,looking back over the conversation, that Brooks was in such high demand that the issue was if WE could afford them. We found out the hard way what a racket they have going with local apartment houses and teachers that have no teaching experience. It was a nightmare with roomates stealing personal items, doing drugs/drinking and leaving the students to fend for themselves because $ is the bottom line. He ultimately dropped out.

[r3]

I had some time on my hands today and decided to google "Brooks Institute of Photography", and I was very surprized and saddened to learn that Ernie had sold the institute. After reading all the comments here it seems like many are choking on the bitter pill of disillusion...please allow me to explain my perspective.

I attended and graduated from Brooks back in the 1980's. I was 20 years old when I first enrolled and 27 when I graduated. Yes, I'm a "Brookie" and proud of the fact. It took me 7 years to earn my degree (double major, Illustration and Color Technology) and it was hard work. I would attend classes for a year then take a year off to try to save money to go at it again. During all those years I shared a house with numerous other Bookies and I waited tables for a living. But, I still took photographs because I loved photography and wanted to learn as much as I could about the medium. Yes, I incurred major debt through federal student loans but it was worth every cent because I financed my whole education by myself.

My time at Brooks was an arduous and happy occassion. I managed to earn the Pentax scholarship, and I was published in Peterson's Photographic Magazine because of my hard work...nothing was handed to me on a silver platter.

After graduation I assisted for a year and learned about the art of business. I had also made some very influential contacts while assisting and figured it was time to strike out on my own and call them up. Since that fateful day I've been published locally, nationally and internationally...Here's a partial list of my clientele:

ABC Television Network - Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation - Alaska State Chamber of Commerce - Anchorage Chamber of Commerce - Arthur D. Little, Inc. - BBC Television Network - Bogle and Gates - Buy Alaska - CBS Television Network - CH2M Hill - Chevron - CNN Television Network - Cook Inlet Spill Prevention & Response, Inc. - Environmental Protection Agency - Exxon Mobil - Federal Bureau of Investigation - G. Haney Associates, Inc. - Hope Cottages, Inc. - IBM - Institute of Offshore Engineering - Media Production Associates - Municipality of Anchorage - Motorola - National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration - NBC Television Network - PBS Television Network - Peterson’s Photographic Magazine - Pini Ceramics - Port of Anchorage - Pizza Hut - Ritche Brothers Auctions - Schlumberger Industries - Tannarome’s Jewelry - Texaco - Tesoro Alaska - United States Air Force - United States Army - United States Coast Guard - United States Fish & Wildlife Service - United States Navy - Unocal - Valdez Convention & Visitors Bureau - Westinghouse International - Woodward-Clyde Consultants.

So in closing, nothing is ever easy and you can't expect to be making a fortune when you first start out in the business. Plus, just because you went to school to become a professional photographer doesn't necessarily make you a professional photographer.

[torrey simonsen]

I have been attending

Brooks Institute for over a year and a half.Although I have encountered some instructors that I did not meet "eye to eye" with,became depressingly discouraged at times and even managed to put myself on academic probation, i was able to learn from my past mistakes, get help from the few teachers that I could rely on and opened doors for
myself. sure,admissions claimed that with a degree from brooks I would be able to get a high paying career, they also said that this was an extremely difficult field and I should be prepared t work harder than I ever have before

[carmen]

I attended Brooks College, Long Beach from 10/01 to 4/03.In the 2 years I was a student, over $60,000 in loans was put in my name. Which is hard to believe because the tuition was only 16 or 17K at the time of enrollment. I believe Brooks College took out more loans in my name and for a semester that i was unable to complete because I was "tapped out" of loans.I have been searching the internet for any help with Sallie Mae, private loans, bankruptcy etc. If anyone has any information on how I can obtain my loan information and file a lawsuit please contact me at carmsr@hotmail.com. Make the attention line Brooks College.

[jordan summers]

well i am going to brooks this coming july and from reading the articles that everyone has written and how they dont tell you the truth well honestly i think you might be right because their is no telling how your life will turn out after college and the price for brooks is absolutly rediculos.. i could go out and be a doctor for how much i will be paying them for 3 years of schooling

[Max M.]

For those interested, this is the link to the information about the class action law suit: http://www.hrsclaimsadministration.com/cases/cec/

There is $12.25 Million dollars on the table but I cation you against acting on your initial instinct of settling for this amount. The New York Times estimates that 8500 students have graduated in the said years, these folks are all eligible for payment. There will also be well over $1 Million dollars in court fees. The total amount received per person will be ~$1323 [this figure assumes that all folks are eligible for 100% reimbursement which is not the case; some will get more and others will receive less but the total will equal the $12.25kk less court fees]. At best, most of you will recover between 1%-3% of your tuition expenses. In the processes of filling out this form you will also waive your right to sue the company after the settlement.

Who are the winners? The lawyers and everyone else involved in the process but you, the persons whom the crime was perpetrated against, will inevitably loose.

CECO, the parent company of Brooks, has nearly $60 Million in cash - check out their income statement on yahoo finance. They have over $600 Million dollars in assets. The lawyers aren't asking for much and they stand to make the most.

Make sure you due diligence and understand precisely what you stand to gain and lose. Contact the law firm and ask the approriate questions [how many people are involved?, how much do I stand to gain? What is the benefit of them suing the company versus you pursuing a lawsuit on your own?]

[Matthew Harding]

I would just like to say that Brooks is absolutely ridiculous in their practices. For the last 6 months of my education I was in an internship (working 5 days a week in Beverly Hills). In that position I was able to receive the UTA job list regularly, which many people know can be hard to come by. Upon my exit interview with career services I realized they had no idea what they were doing. They asked me to forward them the UTA list so they could forward to students. This went on for many months prior to and after my graduation. I find it quite laughable, for a school that claimed the type of job opportunities they did, and then to rely on a current student to supply the school with one of the most well known job lists in Hollywood. Hell competition is fierce, and in hindsight I regret even supplying the list to them.

[Jaime Beechum]

RE:::Jesse Soll

I am a former student who left after two years. Do you have any more information on the lawsuit and/or the unethical relationship between Brooks and Sallie Mae? All the blogs and posts I've found seem very muddled and full of misinformation.

Like many other former students, I struggle every day with a combination of shame and feeling I let myself and my family down, combined with anger that a school is run by such crooks. I had some amazing (and some downright awful) teachers at Brooks, but I can't een afford to begin to try to stretch myself as a photographer because of the payments I need to make each month. When i joined, I was told the same stories of high salaries and job opportunities, which I found hard to believe, But, I was also mislead/lied to about the interest rate on my loans, and also about repayment options once I was done.

Is the lawsuit still happening?

Regards,
Jesse Soll

I am in the same boat right now. I literally have no way out. I am currently writting assembly, congress, and federal personel that might possibly be able to help with any kind of federal program to pay off my loans. I would also like to hear anymore about this lawsuit. I heard, through people from work, that the charges went through and students are getting money back, if so please let me know(2006 graduate). I would love to hear more about that, because as Jesse said, we struggle everyday. I am ashamed of making the decision of going to Brooks. I work in the photography industry in Los Angeles and I am looked down upon for going to Brooks because kids come out think they are going to be handed 50k jobs right out of school. For the few of us that just straight up made a bad decision and were mislead as young students are now reeping the consequences. I am working as much and as often as I can and I am no where near paying off my loans. Now stuck with no parent help, I have nearly 100k in debt with high interest rates which will pretty much double my debt. Unfourtunatley the deed is done, but as stated before I truley believe that Brooks is getting some kind of kick back from Salle Mae. Being told there was a 97% placement rate and with promise of a sucsessfull career in photography as an eighteen year old was pretty swell at the time, but I should have known better. Now, I am held back because of the amount of money I owe and am no where near being able to start my own business because of it. I hope somthing can be done to take some of the burden off our shoulders.

Cheers,
Jaime Beechum

[Jesse Soll]

Hi,

I am a former student who left after two years. Do you have any more information on the lawsuit and/or the unethical relationship between Brooks and Sallie Mae? All the blogs and posts I've found seem very muddled and full of misinformation.

Like many other former students, I struggle every day with a combination of shame and feeling I let myself and my family down, combined with anger that a school is run by such crooks. I had some amazing (and some downright awful) teachers at Brooks, but I can't een afford to begin to try to stretch myself as a photographer because of the payments I need to make each month. When i joined, I was told the same stories of high salaries and job opportunities, which I found hard to believe, But, I was also mislead/lied to about the interest rate on my loans, and also about repayment options once I was done.

Is the lawsuit still happening?

Regards,
Jesse Soll

[DP]

So happy I happened upon this blog. Thank you to everyone here. Very informative!

[sale]

I haven't been up to much lately. So it goes. What can I say? I've just been letting everything wash over me recently, not that it matters. I just don't have much to say these days.

[Will Day]

I looked into Brooks a couple of years ago. At the time I wasn't ready to make any commitments. Recently I got in touch with the school again in an effort to explore my options. I was certainly very impressed with the smoke and mirrors and my opinion of the school was completely one sided. After reading some of these blogs, I've realized a couple of things. One, a lot of the people who complain about being "taken" need to realize that it is their responsibility to research the school objectively before beginning their studies, especially when the education costs are around a $100k for someone who completes their program. People today feel the need to play the blame game rather than take responsibility for their choices, and it's getting old. Two, a couple of people made a solid argument. In photography, you either have it or you don't. End of story. I think a lot of people complaining about Brooks went there thinking that Brooks could make them a photographer. Nobody can teach you to be a photographer. They may be able to make you a better photographer, but if you don't have an eye for it, then you have no hope. I have a friend who went to school for photography. Her portfolio sucks. And she doesn't even realize it. Needless to say, she does not make her living as a photographer. Three, even if you do have an eye for shooting, no school can guarantee you a job, whether you studied to be a photo journalist or a fashion photographer. And having a school promise you such things should have been a red flag.
Having read some of these blogs has made me realize that I'm not ready to commit to Brooks yet, if ever. There are a lot more schools out there to look into and with the cost of an education I owe it to myself to research each one. I'm a self taught photographer. Over the past five years everything I've learned has come from either books, magazines, or the advice of someone who knows more than me. I'm a firm believer in getting back only that which you put in. My work is a testament to my efforts, good or bad. I'm not interested in swaying anyone one way or the other as some of the people who've posted blogs here are obviously trying to do. I'd just like people to start accepting their decisions and the consequences entailed and stop blaming someone else. Brooks, whether their intentions are honest or not, is not to blame. Ignorance is to blame. And the reason people aren't willing to acknowledge that is because it's too personal and you can't file a law suit against ignorance.

[courier]

Sexism is, is not a problem in society

[freeman]

Mr. Dunleavy,
As a parent currently looking for another school for my son after his three years at Brook Institute of Photography, a staggering healthy $120,000.00 student loan debt, with a high interest rate and no BFA degree from the college, I am extremely upset.
My son is now 24 years old, working odd jobs, and doing some freelancing. He speaks now of Brooks Institute of Photography with feeling that he let his parents and himself down. When I ask him what happen at Brooks Institute that he had a problem, my son would say, he gotten no support from the counselors or teachers. In one particular subject m son taken 3 consecutive time; " lighting ", my son gotten no support and had to drop out of school because that subject brought down his GPA. My son is a bright student, that graduated after 12 yeares from attending a well known private school, and couldn't wait to get into photography at Brooks Institute of Photography. How can the teaching and counseling staff not give their student support? How do Brooks Institute allows their student to fail? Brooks Institute failed my son by semester year 2004/2005. My son was so ashamed that he wouldn't tell my wife nor I for a full year that he wasn't attending Brooks anymore. I wish I had know about this problem with Brooks earlier before my son had to be exposed to this failure at school and being hounded for money spend and nothing to show for it, going to Brooks Institute of Photography

[LB]

Three comments:
1) The admissions office did intentionally and unethically mislead me (and many others) with regards to promises of immediate and lucrative jobs upon graduation. They misrepresented their "product" intentionally, blantantly, and unethically. When I expressed concern about tuition costs, their comments were "not to worry...the money I would make after graduating would easily repay all my loans." They told me that they could get me all the loans I needed, which they did, and that they had a fabulous placement system and virtually guaranteed that they could find me a high-paying job. The only follow-through was an outdated list of Brooks alumni. No one wanted anything to do with me once I was not a paying customer.

2) The teachers were very good. I have no complaints with the quality of the education. However, it was obvious through subtle comments that some of the teachers had an idea about what was going on in the admissions office.

3) On a personal note, I have taken control of my life and will be paying on my $100,000 student loan debt for a very long time. I wish that I had applied some critical thinking skills to the outrageous claims that Brooks made to me. And while I accept some personal responsibility for my lack of analysis of the situation, that does not excuse the unethical behavior of the Brooks Institute admissions staff.

[Brandy]

It's not what the school is capable of doing it's how bad do you really want it and what you, as a student is willing to do. Brooks is an expensive school but you also have to remember where Brooks is located..Santa Barbara, CA. I mean that alone sounds expensive. I looked into Brooks awhile back. I was very impressed by what I was hearing. I talked to a lot of people online and all the negative feedback I was getting was through people who took visualjournalism. I was interested in that anyway so I really didn't take it to heart. However though when it came down to everything I had to take a few classes where I was from first before Brooks would accept me. Well..what it all comes down too is I never went to Brooks. Instead I learned about Hallmark Institute of Photography which is by far an amazing school. It's only a 10month program and is very costy but I believe it's well worth. I haven't heard one bad thing about Hallmark. The staff is very frieindly and honest. If you are looking into Brooks I would say check out Hallmark as well and then decide for yourself.

Regards,
Brandy

[cuechick]

I went to Art Center College and graduated in the mid 80's, I have been a working commercial photographer ever since. At the time I went to ACCD, there was a joke one of our teachers told us that was apparently common among the pros in L.A., "Art Center makes good photographers while Brooks makes good photographer's assistants." It did seem true enough at the time, since I knew of few pros from Brooks, but many from ACCD.
While driving up to see my family in S.F. on one of our breaks, my friend & I decided to take a tour of Brooks. I do not remember much, except being pretty unimpressed with there program. They offered a lot fewer studio classes and seemed way behind over all. They also had no where near the facility we had, at the time. I will admit, I was probably a little more than bias at the time and still probably am.
The simple fact is, no school like this, can promise commercial success in an industry like ours! No more than Stellar Adler can promise you will win an Academy Award. Making a living as a commercial photographer is based on many factors including; persistence, marketing, savvy, hopefully some talent (though not always a necessity) and luck. Talent alone will not do it, if your not tenacious and diligent, you will most likely fail. I have no idea the percentage of students I went to school with that our still working... I know several that are but I am sure there are far more that are not.
All any school can do is give you the tools, what you do with them are entirely up to you.

[marcel vocino]

All I want to say is if you are more then half way done with brooks and have not gotten a job as a 5th assistant or swept floors as an intern, you lack motivation and no matter how many degrees you have in photography will never make it. I cant believe some of the things I am reading, a year after grad with no job are you kidding!? how embarrassing!!!!! I am currently applying for internships with multiple photo agencies in new york. Another thing I will say is being here for almost 3 years I have met many people. I feel confident withing 5 minutes of knowing a person if they are serious or not... Id say 20% of the kids here are serious. its not the schools fault!!!

[chris]

I can't believe the comments that being posted. I wanted to attend brooks since i can remember but instead i thought that i should get "a real job" i got a "real degree" in bio-chemistry (useless monetarily). Disillusioned i looked back to photography, but listening to everyone i deiced to get into sales, i did very well, then started my own company and made millions. Now what? certainly not HAPPY or fulfilled. Does money make you HAPPY. Do you forget we live in a Democratic / capitalistic society, where nobody gives you anything. Instead of complaining about how someone took advantage of or mislead you. There are countless ways to make money with your photographic education. Portraits, travel, art, studio, etc.... the list goes on and on. Do a little research on the web. I know of several artists (that really aren't any good) that charge $500 - $3500 for photo classes and are often filled with over 10 students.... do the math.. Think outside the box. Money is not the end all be all. GET TO WORK. this will not be the last time someone misleads you, the key is to move forward. If its about money, then get into sales, 100% commission. I find to often in life people are looking for the EASY ROAD and are not willing to take responsibility for their own success. I will leave you w/ this. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SUCCESS!