Ringling - good for Disney animators
CalArts - More Disney, Pixar style also
RISD - more experimental emphasis. To go to Disney or Pixar need to really develop portfolio on your own

Artists who go to these type of prestigious schools do not go to get jobs in the DMV area. Have the talent to do more and most end up in LA or NY.

Anonymous wrote:I have also heard quite a bit about Ringling for animation. Definitely arts only, though.

Do you mind sharing what kind of things you’ve heard about it?

I have also heard quite a bit about Ringling for animation. Definitely arts only, though.

Anonymous wrote:A company like Pixar or Lucasfilm is unlikely to do much hiring through recruiting fairs.

She needs to have interviews with any and all of these schools. They all roll through DC for portfolio reviews and she can meet them then, or she can call and email the admissions rep for the area. These folks like getting questions from prospective students.

She needs to ask specific questions about outcomes for the last 5 years of graduates from the animation program specifically.

Disney animation, for example, hires out of Cal State Fullerton, but it's almost impossible for an OOS to get in there.

A company like Pixar or Lucasfilm is unlikely to do much hiring through recruiting fairs.

She needs to have interviews with any and all of these schools. They all roll through DC for portfolio reviews and she can meet them then, or she can call and email the admissions rep for the area. These folks like getting questions from prospective students.

She needs to ask specific questions about outcomes for the last 5 years of graduates from the animation program specifically.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear OP - this isn't what you asked, but I have seen several students go through RISD and SCAD and would strongly recommend that you try to interest her in a college or university that would give her the arts background she is interested in but also a B.A. or B.S. degree. She may find she can't find a job in the arts or changes her mind. Also, the drop out rate at art colleges is high. If you are in Virginia, look at JMU - it has a strong arts department, as does GMU

Thank you for your advice. Luckily, she wants to do animation/visual effects and is already quite good at animation and digital art, so hopefully will be able to find a job. She has been so determined in her decision that we can't do anything to make her change her mind - it would break her heart.

But what if she changes her mind? MY DS thought he wanted to be an engineer but found himself in love with political science and philosophy but fortunately was at a large university so could easily switch. There is merit to getting a B.A. degree over an art school degree. What if you are doling out $80K a year and she decides in the third year she doesn't want to animate?

OP here. I’d be greatly surprised if she changes her mind. Art has been her strongest and favorite subject since the age of 3. Since 5th grade, she’s worked on some sort of digital art pretty much every single day.

I would rather have her attend an in-state college because it’s cheaper and closer to home, but we need to understand the difference in future career opportunities. For example, she said that a company like Pixar goes to CalArts as their first choice of animators. Pixar will probably not visit a career fair at VCU or GMU - would they hire a VCU graduate?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear OP - this isn't what you asked, but I have seen several students go through RISD and SCAD and would strongly recommend that you try to interest her in a college or university that would give her the arts background she is interested in but also a B.A. or B.S. degree. She may find she can't find a job in the arts or changes her mind. Also, the drop out rate at art colleges is high. If you are in Virginia, look at JMU - it has a strong arts department, as does GMU

Thank you for your advice. Luckily, she wants to do animation/visual effects and is already quite good at animation and digital art, so hopefully will be able to find a job. She has been so determined in her decision that we can't do anything to make her change her mind - it would break her heart.

But what if she changes her mind? MY DS thought he wanted to be an engineer but found himself in love with political science and philosophy but fortunately was at a large university so could easily switch. There is merit to getting a B.A. degree over an art school degree. What if you are doling out $80K a year and she decides in the third year she doesn't want to animate?

PP who has some knowledge in this field: There is also a cost to getting a BA vs a BFA in the arts. BFA are more rigorous art programs and you have more studio/technical courses to get your degree. BAs often just don't have the chops that the number of hours in a good BFA program will get you. However, a BFA from a good art dept in a university can be as strong as a BFA from an art school--and if the BFA doesn't pan out it's easier to switch to a BA which may give you more career options outside the arts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear OP - this isn't what you asked, but I have seen several students go through RISD and SCAD and would strongly recommend that you try to interest her in a college or university that would give her the arts background she is interested in but also a B.A. or B.S. degree. She may find she can't find a job in the arts or changes her mind. Also, the drop out rate at art colleges is high. If you are in Virginia, look at JMU - it has a strong arts department, as does GMU

Thank you for your advice. Luckily, she wants to do animation/visual effects and is already quite good at animation and digital art, so hopefully will be able to find a job. She has been so determined in her decision that we can't do anything to make her change her mind - it would break her heart.

But what if she changes her mind? MY DS thought he wanted to be an engineer but found himself in love with political science and philosophy but fortunately was at a large university so could easily switch. There is merit to getting a B.A. degree over an art school degree. What if you are doling out $80K a year and she decides in the third year she doesn't want to animate?

GMU has an xlnt animation department. https://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/george-mason-university-art-design-visual-technology-and-new-media-programs-profile

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you, all. The information is very helpful!

Our complete list of colleges that she wants to apply to so far is as follows:

1. VCU (yes, we are in VA)
2. CalArts (reach school)
3. Pratt
4. Ringling
5. RISD
6. SVA
7. SCAD
8. RIT

If you are an expert in the field, which one or two of those would you choose?

I am wondering about #2, Calarts in Valencia, CA is not that highly regarded.

And is over $80K a year. https://calarts.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid/tuition-and-fees/tuition-fees-estimated-expenses

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Slightly off point, but I know you can get merit scholarships at VCU with those scores (no retake) and an intended arts major. They have a strong program for her interests.

Actually, my kid had a 35 ACT score and got more $ from MICA and Pratt than VCU. We felt they were rather stingy with merit $. Maybe they give more to in state students?

Of course they received more money offered from MICA and Pratt. They are private and obscenely expensive. VCU is public and already discounted by the state for both in-state and OSS.

Anonymous wrote:Slightly off point, but I know you can get merit scholarships at VCU with those scores (no retake) and an intended arts major. They have a strong program for her interests.

Actually, my kid had a 35 ACT score and got more $ from MICA and Pratt than VCU. We felt they were rather stingy with merit $. Maybe they give more to in state students?

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you, all. The information is very helpful!

Our complete list of colleges that she wants to apply to so far is as follows:

1. VCU (yes, we are in VA)
2. CalArts (reach school)
3. Pratt
4. Ringling
5. RISD
6. SVA
7. SCAD
8. RIT

If you are an expert in the field, which one or two of those would you choose?

I am wondering about #2, Calarts in Valencia, CA is not that highly regarded.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you, all. The information is very helpful!

Our complete list of colleges that she wants to apply to so far is as follows:

1. VCU (yes, we are in VA)
2. CalArts (reach school)
3. Pratt
4. Ringling
5. RISD
6. SVA
7. SCAD
8. RIT

If you are an expert in the field, which one or two of those would you choose?

Where would MICA fit in the list?

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you, all. The information is very helpful!

Our complete list of colleges that she wants to apply to so far is as follows:

1. VCU (yes, we are in VA)
2. CalArts (reach school)
3. Pratt
4. Ringling
5. RISD
6. SVA
7. SCAD
8. RIT

If you are an expert in the field, which one or two of those would you choose?

OP, my DS was graduated as a serious Game Design major from GMU. From that I know there are animation majors there. He graduated and went right into Zenimax. And he got a B.S. degree, which is better the art schools.