School complications...

[Aeth]

At the end of my high school year I kinda crashed and burned and wasn't even sure I was going to pass. I studied for the last few test and ended up getting the highest score in the class and with a lot of recovery time. I passed. The thing is my GPA was extremely low. I applied for SVA, Art institute of Charlotte, and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. I ended up getting accepted to rocky mountain. But it's really costly for us(Plane trip, new area,tuition, etc.) and I'm not sure if my family can afford it since my mother's job situation is kind of insane right now and although we are getting financial aid it's not enough without taking out a lot of big loans, Plus it's a different area than I'm use too.

I'm not really sure if I should proceed anyway and go to Rocky Mountain or if it would be better to find a CUNY school in New York and then Apply for SVA the next year. Does anyone know any good CUNY schools to start out at? or even a community college in NC?

[Elwell]

What were you planning on majoring in? For the CUNY system, check out FIT (http://www.fitnyc.edu/html/dynamic.html).

[Aeth]

I'm majoring in illustration.

[Storyboard Dave]

So you applied. In what? What is it you plan on doing beyond college? One has to wonder why you applied to these schools.

And if you want to graduate from one of these prestigious places and you still need to go to a community college, it'd do you good to find out which has classes you can take that would transfer over.

As far as "it's a different area than I'm use too"- get used to it. It's called growth and maturity. No one ever said that you were to be completely comfortable with it. You're stepping up to the Bigs now- things move faster and at a more polished level. It'll get you into adulthood and you'll reap the rewards of it later.

[Elwell]

For illustration, definitely check out FIT, it's a strong program, especially for the state school price.

[Storyboard Dave]

From the sounds of things, stay in NC for awhile. Like I said earlier, go to a local CC and make sure the credits can transfer over to the eventual big school. Why even consider a CUNY? I'm sure the cost of living in NC is gonna be a heckuva lot cheaper than NYC.

Good luck.

[Aeth]

I'm from NY I have more family down there than in NC and it's easier to get around without a car in New York.

[mbarq]

Well, I don't really speak too much from experience. However, as Storyboard Dave suggested, I would go with community college.

Things kinda went for me the way they did for you (not really but kind of). At the end of the day things fell apart and right now I can only make the best with what I have.

Again as Storyboard Dave suggested, maybe try taking courses that relate to what you want to do and if you do plan to graduate from an SVA, SCAD, RCAD, ACCD, etc. try to contact them and see what classes you can take to knock them out of the core curriculum for you.

Granted most of these programs will deny you since they are "structured" but sometimes instead of taking "Writing 101" the school will exempt you from that class and let you take a course that's more related to your major. for example if you're going to do illustration, instead of that writing class you can take a story board class or a figure class.

Eitherway, don't remain bitter about not getting into the school of your dreams because, from experience, that will only breed more misfortune. Make the best of it. Look up tutorials online, keep your sketchbook updated for sweet critiques from fellow CA'ers, and just keep doing what you do.

Plus, two years go by quick. Whatever you do, don't do nothing. This is your future, be proactive.

[Mirana]

Granted most of these programs will deny you since they are "structured" but sometimes instead of taking "Writing 101" the school will exempt you from that class and let you take a course that's more related to your major.

If it's a 4-yr accredited school you shouldn't have much issue with taking core classes (and possibly some low level art ones) and having them transfer with a new school. I took all of my core and a handful of low art classes (drawing, painting, 3D, 2D, Computer in Art, etc.) and transferred a full 2 yrs (13 courses) no problem. I'd rather pay $300 for a math class than $3000. ;) You just need to make sure you nail down which school(s) you want to transfer to and make sure their required courses match up to similar courses at the comm college. After that, if you think you've got even more chops, you can sometimes submit portfolios to "test out" or get waivers for other courses in order to take ones that would benefit you better.

[michitak]

Well, I don't really speak too much from experience. However, as Storyboard Dave suggested, I would go with community college.

Things kinda went for me the way they did for you (not really but kind of). At the end of the day things fell apart and right now I can only make the best with what I have.

Again as Storyboard Dave suggested, maybe try taking courses that relate to what you want to do and if you do plan to graduate from an SVA, SCAD, RCAD, ACCD, etc. try to contact them and see what classes you can take to knock them out of the core curriculum for you.

Granted most of these programs will deny you since they are "structured" but sometimes instead of taking "Writing 101" the school will exempt you from that class and let you take a course that's more related to your major. for example if you're going to do illustration, instead of that writing class you can take a story board class or a figure class.

Eitherway, don't remain bitter about not getting into the school of your dreams because, from experience, that will only breed more misfortune. Make the best of it. Look up tutorials online, keep your sketchbook updated for sweet critiques from fellow CA'ers, and just keep doing what you do.

Plus, two years go by quick. Whatever you do, don't do nothing. This is your future, be proactive.

Off topic, but I'm glad to see you saying those sorts of things (:

Listen to him, and everyone else, they are right.

[Aeth]

Ahh thank you guys. I have a lot to think about and I'll definitely keep what's said here in mind.

[Storyboard Dave]

Ahh thank you guys. I have a lot to think about and I'll definitely keep what's said here in mind.

It's ultimately your choice. There's not a clear cut definitive better choice. it's about you and what it is you want to do. So please take the time, mull things over and choose what's right for you. And realize what's right for us might not be ideal for you.

Good luck!