I don't know where to go... SVA or UCF (or Ringling) for animation? Help!

JBStillFlying
Fri, 05 May 2017 05:07:43 +0000

@cheesenachos1 my daughter ended up attending SCAD and loves it. She is finishing up her first year. She definitely had SCAD as her first choice but was strongly considering UCF and also CSU-Fullerton. UCF had the advantage due to the OOS scholarship she received but SCAD was able to come through with sufficient scholarship money to allow her to attend.

When we looked into UCF, we realized that given the curriculum and pre-reqs, she would need to take longer than 4 years so that’s something to consider. A private art school is more expensive per year but you would be out in 4 years as opposed to five.

Unlike most dedicated art/design schools, UCF doesn’t have direct-admit to SVAD. They admit you to a “pre-major” status instead. You have to pass a portfolio review in sophomore year to continue in a major and start taking those courses. This is actually pretty typical for many uni’s, although most of the ones mentioned on the CC art major threads tend to be direct-admit. When possible, direct-admit is best, although as you have discovered, sometimes it can be difficult to get into your first choice program right away (Ringling or CalArts, for instance). The best situation is to be admitted to a dedicated art/design school w/no restricted entry to the major; however, that option also tends to be the most expensive!