Predicatment- Ringling or FIU

[mbarq]

Alrighty, I've decided to post here since reading through some posts you guys seems to know how things work and listen out.

As the title says, I've got quite a dilemma, quandary if you will. Let's start with some history:

Before, I didn't know if I wanted to be an animator, it had always been a dream, we've all had it right? working for pixar? But I wasn't quite sure of my self. Plus, I had my mom who wants me to be an engineer, doctor, lawyer (the classic "hey mom/dad, I wanna be an animator" met with "Yeah, ok, have you done your math hw yet?".

After talking to some people (teachers, IB art examiners, and people on multiple forums) I was pretty sure I was going to Ringling straight out of high school. I did get admitted for CA major, and hopefully I get financial aid (EFC:0).

But...on Friday I got my financial aid from Florida International University. I got basically full ride (~ $13,000 for two semesters; a year). Now this is awesome, a free degree and $9,000 pocket money. I told my sister and she ecstatically reminded me that FIU does offer Study Abroad.

For Art, FIU offered in 2008 a program in Genoa, Italy. My sister was also grand enough to remind me that: "hey, you speak Italian right, yeah,yeah, so you can do that, cool!"

My sister is not 8 years old btw, she's like...25? and graduated from FIU with a Master's in Business Administration and Bachelor's in Political Science (major) and Religion (minor). Now, I know..."alright that's nice".

I detail my sister because, she had some work-study in the international student's office (at FIU) and has been to Spain and Morocco under programs similar to work-studies. She told me about how companies and schools like it when you have a nice beefy résumé since when companies hire you, or when a school is considering you what they ask is "what can this candidate contribute to our group?"

After relishing over what might sister just said I thought- work study is $8,000, so I'll have 5,000 in the bank and be able to get my credits by just having a blast in Italy strengthening my vocabulary and getting world experience all at the same time, and all...basically...for free!

If I put in my APs and IBs I may be able to graduate from FIU in two years, lets say three, just in case. So if I do this program at FIU, instead of going to Ringling first, I'll have experience, money, and a degree in arts and minor in computer science with some extra money left over all that age of...20.

Then if I apply to Ringling I will have a better portfolio, a degree in Fine Arts, and apprentice ship in Italy, along with that minor in computer science (maybe).

I'll then be joining the class of 2015 and will be expected to graduate at the age of 24. So I'll be a 24 year old animator with experiences in Italy and a diploma in Fine Arts/Computer Science and a Ringling graduate from the Computer Animation Department.

Sounds ok...no? But...what about skipping FIU and being:

A Ringling Graduate in Computer Animation at the age of 21?

My "predicament" is:

Which is better? To be young and inexperienced or to be older and experienced?

Meaning...what would a company such as...say Pixar reward more? The fact that I'm young and trying to be an animator, but have no experience (save for Ringling) or that I have experience, and have two degrees from two different schools, but...not so young. We then run into the whole Fluid vs. Crystallized debate as well as others.

So, reiterating, what's better? to be a young whipper snapper trying to be an animator or and older snapper trying to be an animator...who has "experience".

If you actually read all that, cool. If no one responds then...ha, at least I have my thoughts somewhat organized now.

[Meloncov]

No real advice (probably not really qualified to give that), but some thoughts;

There is definately something to be said for living in a foreign country, though you should be aware that just because the school is free doesn't necesairly mean the exchange program is.

I doubt that you'll be able to do a minor in computer science while majoring in art, especially if you're only planning on spending a three years in college. The required classes for both aren't going to overlap much, though you'll have to check for yourself to make sure.

Also, you won't be much older than the average Ringling student even if you do go to FIU first.

[mbarq]

Yeah, I was looking at some people going to Ringling, most of them went to the army first, or went to a four year college and then went to ringling after not doing what they wanted.

Oh, and the study abroad program is "free" it's only 8,000, the school gave me 13,000. shit, I dunno, I just wonder what studios would prefer- the younger inexperienced person or the older experienced person.

[Meloncov]

shit, I dunno, I just wonder what studios would prefer- the younger inexperienced person or the older experienced person.

I'm sure studios would prefer the older, more expierenced person. The real question is whether it would be better to have three years more college or three years of expierence in the industry. On a purely commercial, short term basis, I imagine the latter is preferable, but over a longer time, and when you consider the non-commercial factors, it's a lot vaguer.

Also, does the 8000 include travel, food, and the like?

[angy400]

no question for me...go to Italy first and then go to Ringling later...many students going to Art schools tend to be a bit older than right out of high school...enjoy life while you are young and have the opportunity to do so...graduating at age 24-25 is definately NOT old...

[mbarq]

Yeah, I was thinking about that, but...I was also thinking about the networking possibilities. If I go right out of high school I get to be in a traditional dorm with people I may be able to connect with. Then move on up to the upperclassmen dorms.

If I come in at 24 I'll be moved to an apartment outside of campus (I think) and be more isolated. Now...I'll have lived in italy and have a fine arts degree, but...I won't have the experience of being in that dorm with my fellow classmates.

Right now, the FIU route seems really nice, and "ideal" I mean...people are always stressing the importance of fine arts and being a good draftsman. But...I really don't know what studios want. Seeing as how most studios are shallow and just want you to have the ability to animate and make something cool in CG, going to Ringling first seems like a good idea (get an early start).

But...I dunno about Pixar, I just watched that human history of animation video and...they all seem very experienced and very...humanistic when it comes to animation (i.e., literature, history, arts, philosophy, etc). I think it was the director of Finding Nemo that said what separates Pixar is the fact they design from real life, not other animations. So, I'm guessing, they would like to see I have other experiences other than just 4 years at Ringling.

@Melancov, yeah it's $8,000 for the entire thing, and I can apply again for it every year if I have the money. So I can go to italy three times for "free". But I dunno I wish I could get more info on people working in Pixar, and Ringling Alumni that went to Pixar; digging through google caches for some info.

Again, thanks for the replies.

[Meloncov]

I suppose you could go through as many Pixar employee's websites as you can and look at where they got there education.

Also, I'd try not to get too fixated on Pixar. It definately looks like a good company to work for, but you may decide you'd rather work at a smaller company or something of the like.

[mbarq]

Haha, I'm having trouble finding info on Pixar employees, just info on the dream team that all went to calarts then to george lucas and on to pixar.

About Pixar...yeah, I dunno. Seems like a really great place to work. I've read articles however that criticize the inner circle that exists between that dream team of calarts.

Which...if you look at it, it's kinda true. You have Wall-E being directed by the same dude who did Nemo, and Toy story three by the same dude who did the 1st. If you look at Horton Hears a Who! the guy was a Pixar employee who left because he wanted a chance to direct his own movie. He found a place at blue sky, and from there pulled off a pretty incredible movie (after the mess that was Robots, I didn't expect such a good movie).

So...yeah, I'm like totally lost right now. Not only that, I'm sure there is a degree of ageism in the industry. Like...who's this young whipper snapper thinking he can get a job so young at Pixar...

heh, I should be practicing my drawing and I'm here researching o.0 been researching for liek a week now (well...more but, more intensively now :P).

[Meloncov]

About Pixar...yeah, I dunno. Seems like a really great place to work. I've read articles however that criticize the inner circle that exists between that dream team of calarts.

Oh, undeniably. However, it is a large company, so your doing one rather specific thing all the time, while work at a smaller company is more varied.

[Elwell]

Metalclay, trust me, twenty-four is still a young whippersnapper.
Go to Italy. Don't be an idiot. This notion that you can somehow plan your life is an idea you'd best be disabused of as soon as possible.

[H.Evans]

Tyler School of Art/Temple University has a campus in Rome and allows students from any other school to attend for up to 2 semesters.

Information is here: http://www.temple.edu/studyabroad/programs/semester_year/italy/

Just another option.

[mbarq]

Heh, but 21 is an even younger whippersnapper :P

The more I think about it, the more I think going to Italy is most logical route. I'm sure there must be something I'm not taking into account, but...I can't quite put my finger on it.

@Hillartsympho,

You have to be 19 to qualify, plus, lol...it's in philly, pretty far away from home, don't want to get into that issue.

[artmessiah]

Heh, but 21 is an even younger whippersnapper :P

The more I think about it, the more I think going to Italy is most logical route. I'm sure there must be something I'm not taking into account, but...I can't quite put my finger on it.

@Hillartsympho,

You have to be 19 to qualify, plus, lol...it's in philly, pretty far away from home, don't want to get into that issue.

Dude, go to italy - you'll have fun. I went to Sardinia, Cagliari and Rome. I had a blast, there is a huge creative community there. Like someone else mentioned, take the opportunity while you can and when you're ready for college you'll have a cleared head about it. You'll still be uber young and ready to take the world be storm. Take care

[mbarq]

Hahah, I dunno (yes, I've said it 'bout a thousand times, but I truly don't know). Thing is, what if I don't get accepted when I try to apply again in Ringling? With Ringling getting more and more press, more people apply.

Also, I've made some friends on facebook in the class of 2012, (joined the traveling sketchbook group and all :D) they're pretty cool people. Well...I've got till May 1st to think about it. Plus, I I'm still waiting on Ringling Financial Aid as well as going to Admitted day on April 12th. Will keep asking around though. But yeah, for the majority, most people say Italy. Whatever I choose, I know I'm gonna be asking myself...what if I HAD gone to italy? or...hmm...I wonder if I could've done "this" or qualified had I been three years younger.

[nilaffle]

Holy crap man... older and experienced! Older and experienced! Don't worry about what Pixar will think, do it for yourself. Some of us (well... me) are going to be graduating from Ringling at 28. :p You're talking about a three-year difference... that's nothing.

Don't worry, if you got into Ringling once, chances are you'll get in again (and think how much your portfolio will have improved by then).

[mbarq]

Heh...I've been trying to figure all this out and it seems I will be spending circa 13,000 for the whole semester, and an additional 2,000 for the remaining semester (spring/fall). So I will be in debt $2,000. Accruing this to the three years I plan to spend I will be $6,000 in debt by the time I graduate FIU, but I will have three semesters in Italy and three at home.

Thing is, this is all based on luck and pure speculation. All this rides on the condition that I get those 3,4,5s in my AP or 5,6,7s in my IB. It rides on the condition that FIU chooses Italy for it's Fine Arts program every year, and it rides on the condition FIU gives me 13,000 every year (which most likely it'll be a little less each year). Oh, and of course, on the condition I even get admitted to go to the trip.

So...not everything is so certain, and I will have a debt going into Ringling. I will probably have a good portfolio though =) Again though...there is that possibility I don't get accepted for Animation.

@nilaffle, you got in for CA?

Nvm, saw your sketcbook, see you're a freshman at Ringling! cool.

Hahah...I like how your art got Ringling-ish towards the end thar.

[thesinfulsaint]

Without reading the other replies, I'll speak to you from my own experience.

Last year, I went through a really really similar situation. I had full ride at a state university, and I was accepted to Ringling's CA program. The state school had an all-right program. There were grads working in the industry, but there were none right out of school. Only the truly motivated found their way there. It was a really tough decision, but in the end, I chose Ringling because going here will save me years of my life. I probably could have made it out of the smaller state school, but I would have learned many bad habits that would have been difficult to shake later on.

Not only that, but being in an environment that is totally creative is a situation that really has to be experienced to understand. The vibe at Ringling is incredible, and I have been pushed way farther as an artist than I would have at a regular state school.

There's nothing wrong with being 21 and in the industry. There are plenty who graduate from Ringling and find spots at that age. There are people who are animating major scenes, such as the spider scene from Lord of the Rings, at the age of 23 or 24. The industry itself is very young. You'll fit right in. I personally believe that it's better to try to go through a place that will shoot you into the industry faster. You might not get that dream job right out of school, but you might get it when you've had 3 or 4 years of experience. You probably wouldn't get that job if you waited four years, went to Ringling, then graduated.

However, to play devil's advocate, I will say that I sometimes wish I had taken a year to get all of my liberal arts classes out of the way. If you do that, you have a lot more time to focus on your animation work when you get here.

[Meloncov]

Heh...I've been trying to figure all this out and it seems I will be spending circa 13,000 for the whole semester, and an additional 2,000 for the remaining semester (spring/fall). So I will be in debt $2,000. Accruing this to the three years I plan to spend I will be $6,000 in debt by the time I graduate FIU, but I will have three semesters in Italy and three at home.


I'm sure you could pay off that $6,000 deficit with a summer job.

[mbarq]

Yeah, I probably could pay off that 6,000 debt easily, but then that has to go into my records, and so my financial aid is then reevaluated (not as much money).

@sinfulsaint,

haha, man...there's also all the things people have mentioned (especially from nilaffle). The only reason I'm even doing this is because of that study abroad. Honestly if it wasn't for that...I could care less about attending my state university. I mean, I've talked with my Italian teacher who took a course at that university in art and she says you do learn technique, but...it's nothing she hasn't already seen in my art. The only thing that they do get you to learn is Art History.

But...Ringling has Art History, and...really I WANT to spend that year doing other stuff in the core classes. Heh, I'm a masochist of sorts, it's not that I like being stressed out, but...without it...it feels weird. Which is why I love it when I read Ringling students say "OMFG, it's the most work I've ever done and I've taken APs, honors, all throughout my life" that's sick!

Money at this point really isn't an issue. In the end, I started thinking...what is money? Our dollar is backed by no specie, the FED prints as it pleases, and only reason our economy hasn't crashed is because of China. So...meh, being at the hands of creditors for the better part of my life? I can live with it...as long as I'm doing something I love.

But umm...that's nice to know about people landing jobs after Ringling. Heh...hopefully it'll happen. From some of the things Jason here has posted...he doesn't seem too impressed with Ringling grads, heh.

Gonna wait for the financial aid package to arrive and admitted student day to make my decision. Depending on how good that "vibe" is, and the amount of aid...I might go to Ringling right out of highschool. Heh...maybe I meet some people who speak the Italian over at Ringling.

Anyway, thanks for the help. Honestly, I wouldn't know where else to post such a thread.

[H.Evans]

@Hillartsympho,

You have to be 19 to qualify, plus, lol...it's in philly, pretty far away from home, don't want to get into that issue.

It's intended as an exchange during the third year of college. By that time age wouldn't matter. It's in Rome. You only have to submit paperwork to Temple U. and the credits would transfer and count toward your degree.

Anyway, You have some great options and don't worry so much. Do whatever you want and don't make age a bigger issue than it is. It doesn't matter how old you are when you are entry level and the 20's all kind of blend together.

[mbarq]

Yeah, I guess I am making it a bigger issue. Heh...I'm just content with the fact that I have options...that's nice.

About the exchange program, yeah...now I get it (Syracuse's works about the same). Still...I'll be ready to graduate by then. My main thing right now would be getting that experience in Italy every year. But...meh, like I said...gonna wait at least until April 12th.