Schooling backup?

[Ryuartyi]

While I started getting my portfolio ready, my parents came up to me and wanted me to take classes in the 2-year college that I went to last year. I'm dead set on trying to get into CA's Atelier, and I'm really fighting to get in but if I don't get accepted, I really don't know what to do. Art is the only real thing I'm proficient at, or even like. I have no idea what to do for a back-up plan since I know that taking 12+ credits in a non-art school art program plus a part time job takes my art practice down to a mere halt.

Can anyone help?

[Crush]

My advice would be to not base your whole life around the CA atelier, it's not the only path (not by a long shot)

[aitchjay]

Crush is absolutely right. Why are you only considering the CA Atelier, though? Art Center's Entertainment Design program (which I'm hoping to get into) offers a similar path, though I should think a much more comprehensive one. And you can always get into Illustration or Industrial Design and use your skills for concept design. A lot of people do that. Ryan Church studied Transportation Design, Neville Page studied Industrial Design, so did Scott Robertson, so did David Levy, and so did Thierry Doizon. The list goes on and on. Relax, guy! (South Park, anyone?)

[Elwell]

I'm dead set on trying to get into CA's Atelier, and I'm really fighting to get in but if I don't get accepted, I really don't know what to do.
Ryuarti, here's the honest truth: Judging from the art you've posted here, at this time you have absolutely no chance of being accepted by the CA Atelier. So I would explore every educational opportunity I could.

[Mirana]

Compromise? Start taking classes at a 4-yr uni/comm college that offers an art degree. Most private art schools will require core general ed. classes, but at a high cost. If you take some at a uni you can make your parents happy by showing them you'll *consider* those other interests, you can take some low-level transferrable art courses to beef up your portfolio, and then if you don't do an atelier you can transfer to a private art school and have up to 2 yrs of classes out of the way.

It's what I did and I had time to make a portfolio that got a good scholarship. It's bonus if you can convince the parents to pay for the two yrs at uni...since it's what they want you to do and all. ;)

[Ryuartyi]

Thanks for the suggestions. I had just recently got out of a chemistry career path to move on to art five months ago, and I think I expected way too much out of myself. I think I might just go through the four years, then try the atelier as more of a graduate school type program.

I'll check some of those places out, and I'm glad people are honest here.

[mirskov]

Ryuartyi: A reality check is always tough, but I'm glad you're taking it the way you are. I encourage you to keep on drawing and getting the mileage that you need to one day have a career in this field. Still work on that portfolio, get it done, and post it for a critique. You'll learn much more through finishing projects and you have a ton of people here to help you. I'm looking forward to seeing your work!