MICA, CCA or VCUarts?

janyhero
Sun, 17 Mar 2013 22:59:58 +0000

Hi, I’m am international high school senior with 2 years of high school education in the US and I’m wondering where to go for colleges. My major of choice is Animation, yet I haven’t done enough research on animation schools until it was too late. Now I’m left with these 3 choices at the moment, maybe RISD, don’t know yet.

First of all is CCA. This school hasn’t appeared much on the rankings, but there are Emmy winners teaching in its animation major, who are also employed by Pixar, I believe. In adddition,the geographical location, being very near Pixar’s HQ, may play a role in finding an internship there (I assume), even though the future isn’t looking good for Animators. The scholarship is 11$ a year, reducing the cost to 41k per year, which will still be a burden for my family. Then, should I go to CCA?

Then there’s VCU Arts. I applied to it as a safe school and hasn’t done much research about it. Can anyone tell me how the animation major is like here? I’m already accepted and the cost is 35k, i believe, no scholarships whatsoever.

And there’s MICA. I don’t know how it stands out on Animation though, especially 3D animation. I’ve visited the campus and it’s nice. Still, what I care about is the education offered and would like to hear from whoever has studied at MICA, or has relatives studying there. I’m already accepted with 10k scholarship over 4 years. The full scholarships will be annouced April 7th.

Lastly, RISD, “the best art school out there”. I’m waiting for their decision, and I think I might stand a chance of getting in. I have 3.8 GPA ( on the 4.0 scale), 2030 SAT, only 1 year of formal art education (which is Studio Art I) and the portfolio that had been accepted by the aforementioned school. If I get accepted overhere, chances that there will be no scholarships. Then, should I pay the whopping price of 56k per year to get the best education? How are my chances of getting a job upon graduation?

I don’t really know which to choose nor do I have an idea of which school I prefer. Again, I don’t care about the living conditions, social life, etc because right now, I’m confined in a military boarding school. All I need is a break down on the school’s education quality in the field of animation and the chance of employment. I’d really like to see my parents’ investment pay off…

Thanks in advance.