Ringling or Calarts or other Precollege?

[manicxartist]

Hey guys,

I think its about time I start filling out applications for precollege, but I can't decide between Calarts or Ringling and Ringling has an expensive deposit you need to send with the application. I was hoping that some past attendees of these programs, or of the schools themselves could give me some advice.

I tried to go to precollege last year, but it didn't work out (I missed the application dates), so I'm trying to start early this year. My area of interest is animation (I'm into storyboards, and the whole story aspect), though getting some figure drawing in would be nice, and portfolio preparation is also important to me. I'm currently in my sophomore year and I live in New Jersey. So far Innerspark looks like it will be more expensive to attend, but not by much (mainly the cost of the plane ticket, and the fact they won't give me financial aid since I don't live in California).

I'm also open to RISD or MICA (my mother would actually prefer I went there since its closer to home) if someone has good things to say about them.

Thanks for reading.

[thesinfulsaint]

If you can get into the CalArts precollege, go there. I wish I had known about it back when I was elligible. I'm not sure how great Ringling's precollege program is; I know that it's one of the better ones out there. Still, if you can do it at CalArts, don't miss the opportunity.

My friend went to RISD for Precollege, and she liked it a lot. I haven't heard anything about MICA's precollege program.

Still, I highly recommend CalArts for precollege.

[CatHicks]

I went to Ringling Pre-College. Took the Illustration and CA workshops. Going to pre-college was my moment to decide which route to take with my education. I came in leaning towards animation but pre-college hit the last nail in that decision. It's a great way to test the waters before you dive in. Lots of work. Lots of fun. I enjoyed it so much that I became an RA for Pre-College the summer of my freshman year here.

I didn't attend Innerspark but if necessary I can put you in touch with several fellow animators who did. The year I went to RSAD Pre-College I had discovered that Innerspark did not house their course year instructors for the summer program. I wanted to get a taste of the school as it was during the school year instead.

[Jollesslauds]

Since you're only a sophomore, you could attend Ringling's precollege program one year and CalArt's another. However, if money is an issue (i.e: you can only afford one summer of precollege), I would wait a year until the summer between your junior and senior years of high school. You'll be more mature, your art will be better, and as a result, you'll get more out of the program.

This past summer, I attended Ringling's precollege program and it really cemented my decision to apply for the 2008-2009 year. If you do choose to attend, be prepared to work - a lot. The program's a lot of fun, but extremely intensive and demanding at the same time (though in a good way). Use all your open studio time wisely; after all, if you're spending all that money to attend, you might as well get something beneficial out of it.

Overall, I'd highly recommend Ringling's program. If I had the chance, I'd do it again. Though it's expensive, I wouldn't be off put by the price; it was definitely the best $4,000 I've ever spent.

Also, if you're interested, here are some links to some Facebook groups regarding Ringling's precollege program. They're full of photos and testimonials from others who attended the program.

- Ringling Precollege 2007 Group (http://hs.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2265987390)
- 2008 Precollege Hopefuls (http://hs.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4682059394)

Good luck with your decision!

[manicxartist]

Thank you very much for your quick responses guys. I always know I can count on the CA Forums to guide me through the art world! Anyway, I was talking to my mother today (who still really wants me to go to Maryland), and she said that I could apply to Ringling and Calarts (although Ringling has the $300 deposit), and if I get into Innerspark I can choose later. She's a lovely person. I also do think it is a good idea to try both programs, so thank you for that.


This past summer, I attended Ringling's precollege program and it really cemented my decision to apply for the 2008-2009 year. If you do choose to attend, be prepared to work - a lot. The program's a lot of fun, but extremely intensive and demanding at the same time (though in a good way). Use all your open studio time wisely; after all, if you're spending all that money to attend, you might as well get something beneficial out of it.

Overall, I'd highly recommend Ringling's program. If I had the chance, I'd do it again. Though it's expensive, I wouldn't be off put by the price; it was definitely the best $4,000 I've ever spent.

Thanks for your input, what were your primary areas of study?

[Meloncov]

I haven't heard anything about MICA's precollege program.

I went to MICA's precollege program this summer, taking Computer Animation and video. It was a wonderful expierence, though the animation program was a bit weak. It had a very lax teacher, so you had to be pretty self motivated to get all you could from the program. Also, the TA's new little about animation. Finally, the rules were a bit repressive; you couldn't walk around on your own (probably necessary due to Baltimore's crime rate, but very annoying) and you couldn't enter dorms belonging to members of the opposite sex (understandable, but incredibly annoying if you have a mixed-gender group of friends. Being outside in the summer in Baltimore isn't fun).

[QUOTE=thesinfulsaint;1479563]Still, I highly recommend CalArts for precollege.

Why do you rate it above Ringling?

[thesinfulsaint]

Why do you rate it above Ringling?

I don't rate the regular college animation program at CalArts above Ringling; Ringling has the top computer animation program in the country. If you're going to study somewhere for four years, it's important to attend an institution that will teach you the skills you need. I go to Ringling, and there's nowhere I'd rather be.

However, if you're going to be somewhere for a very short period of time, you might as well be somewhere where you're going to get quite a bit of networking. Realistically, the improvement that you make during a month at precollege won't be very different in either place; IMO, the advantage of CalArts is its connections.

Truthfully, I don't know a whole lot about either program, so I probably should not have made the assumptions that I did. I do know that precollege at CalArts is more difficult to get into, and for that reason, it may sound more impressive on a resume.

[Meloncov]

However, if you're going to be somewhere for a very short period of time, you might as well be somewhere where you're going to get quite a bit of networking. Realistically, the improvement that you make during a month at precollege won't be very different in either place; IMO, the advantage of CalArts is its connections.

Ah, I just looked at Ringling's precollege and it does look very easy to get into. On the other hand, Ringling is my top choice for college, so getting a relationship with them would be good.

[manicxartist]

My mom mentioned today that Florida is warmer in the summer than California? I don't work well in extreme heat, so if anyone can confirm or deny my mother's claim please let me know. It will most likely affect my decision.

Another thing factor is the fact that Ringling has a fitness center, while I haven't heard that Calarts does. If anyone could tell me what kind of recreation each program has, I'd appreciate it. I'm kind of a gym rat.

Meloncov- If we both end up going to Ringling this summer we need to meet up.

Thesinfunsaint- Thanks for voicing your opinion, your posts through out the forum are very helpful. Hope you're having a good time at Ringling.

Thanks for the responses, keep 'em coming :wink:

[thesinfulsaint]

Florida is definitely VERY warm during the summer--90-100 degrees Fahrenheit on a normal basis. It's also humid, which makes the heat seem worse. Still, they invented air conditioning for a reason! :D

[Meloncov]

California can be just as hot, but it will be a whole lot dryer.

[Meloncov]

Just looked at CalArts. There summer animation program is focused heavily on 2d, which rules that out for me; I'd like to put that off for as long as possible. The general arts program seems a bit too generic, though I could be getting the wrong impression.

[Lieu]

I attended the RISD precollege program, "majoring" in drawing. There seems to be an expansion of majors since I've been, however...including comic book art and computer animation. RISD pre-college is six weeks, and my experience was an intensive immersion into drawing which included figure drawing. I'm talking super intense. I don't know if it was my teacher or the major, but I remember staying awake and working plenty a-nights on projects that were shot at me at fireball speed. I loved it a lot though- and they also balance your major with other classes such as 2D design (which was more 3D for me) and art history. I produced some of my best portfolio work while there...and that was during my summer after sophmore year of highschool. I definately grew in leaps and bounds. The drawing major is fantastic- and was perfect for me because I love dry media! It really brought me beyond the core basics.

I can't vouch for their animation/comic majors, though. RISD is a top art school, one of the best, but their focus isn't nearly as concerned with animation like CalArts and Ringling. I would probably recommend you go to an animation school if you want to study animation, or something like, at pre-college... but RISD is a great alternative :)

[Jollesslauds]

Another thing factor is the fact that Ringling has a fitness center, while I haven't heard that Calarts does. If anyone could tell me what kind of recreation each program has, I'd appreciate it. I'm kind of a gym rat.


Ringling does have a fitness center that's open during precollege. However, it was usually open at inconvenient hours. (For me, it always seemed to conflict with my open studio time.) I was only able to go about four or five times during precolllege; at home, I go to the gym every day. I wouldn't know for sure, but I'd guess that the fitness center has a lot more flexible hours during the actual school year.

As for the gym itself, it's pretty nice. It had a good variety of cardio machines, free weights, and weight machines. Here's a link from RCAD's site that has a lot of photos: http://www.ringling.edu/WellnessCenter.366.0.html

[lifesillusion]

I know that the deadline is close for Innerspark (or may have just passed)... but let me just say I recommend it 100%! I attended Innerspark in 2006 and it was an experience I can keep with me for the rest of my life. During Innerspark, we had numerous Pixar employees come and speak with us. They mentioned that Innerspark (better known as CSSSA) comes up in their conversations almost every day. The connections it provides are AMAZING. 8+ of my fellow classmates (my year) at CalArts right now in the Character Animation program are from Innerspark animation (my year) ... and we are all just out of high school. Also, if you are interested in attending CalArts for character animation, it helps you build a portfolio like you can't believe.
I'm not from California also. I had to pay all of the tuition. It was worth every penny. IMO.

[manicxartist]

I know that the deadline is close for Innerspark (or may have just passed)... but let me just say I recommend it 100%! I attended Innerspark in 2006 and it was an experience I can keep with me for the rest of my life. During Innerspark, we had numerous Pixar employees come and speak with us. They mentioned that Innerspark (better known as CSSSA) comes up in their conversations almost every day. The connections it provides are AMAZING. 8+ of my fellow classmates (my year) at CalArts right now in the Character Animation program are from Innerspark animation (my year) ... and we are all just out of high school. Also, if you are interested in attending CalArts for character animation, it helps you build a portfolio like you can't believe.
I'm not from California also. I had to pay all of the tuition. It was worth every penny. IMO.

Thanks for your feedback. I applied and was accepted into the Ringling precollege program, and I am right now working on my application to Innerspark. How difficult was it for you to get in?

[Meloncov]

Thanks for your feedback. I applied and was accepted into the Ringling precollege program, and I am right now working on my application to Innerspark. How difficult was it for you to get in?

It's pretty difficult, I think, at least in comparison to Ringling (based on second-hand sources, of course).

I got accepted to Ringling pre-college, so unless some incredible opportunity manifests elsewhere, I'll be going.

[lifesillusion]

I think Innerspark (for animation) is around 1/4 acceptance rate. The entire program only takes up to 20 out-of-state students... but, at least the year I attended, the majority of those students were in the animation program

[•Lindsay•]

I attended the RISD precollege program, "majoring" in drawing. There seems to be an expansion of majors since I've been, however...including comic book art and computer animation. RISD pre-college is six weeks, and my experience was an intensive immersion into drawing which included figure drawing. I'm talking super intense. I don't know if it was my teacher or the major, but I remember staying awake and working plenty a-nights on projects that were shot at me at fireball speed. I loved it a lot though- and they also balance your major with other classes such as 2D design (which was more 3D for me) and art history. I produced some of my best portfolio work while there...and that was during my summer after sophmore year of highschool. I definately grew in leaps and bounds. The drawing major is fantastic- and was perfect for me because I love dry media! It really brought me beyond the core basics.

I can't vouch for their animation/comic majors, though. RISD is a top art school, one of the best, but their focus isn't nearly as concerned with animation like CalArts and Ringling. I would probably recommend you go to an animation school if you want to study animation, or something like, at pre-college... but RISD is a great alternative :)I never went to precollege, but I can tell you it was not just your major. All of risd is like this. I don't think I would have been able to do it when I was 17.

I haven't taken any animation classes yet, but I get the impression that risd is not that big on animation compared to the schools out in california... I mean, risd is the school that family guy came from. But there is something to be said for staying close to home, and you'll learn some time management skills at risd.