Money Not an Option, top 3 schools...now what?

[setinstone85]

Greetings everyone.


I am currently in the Military set to get out early 2010 and am starting to plan what to do when I do get out after serving.

My whole plan awhile back was to serve and go to animation school with the money I get.

My top 3 choices are

Ringling
Digipen
AAU

Digipen I have heard great things, alot of gaming focus, but can any of that translate to on screen success?

Ringling I heard the opposite, you will become a great animator but skills in other areas will be lacking

AAU had mix reviews, some people like it some people said the teachers arnt that good...but I liked the courses offered.

Not going to lie, digipen is at the top of my list as they have won the most IGDA awards, but then there Ringling who has won the most animation festival awards....just torn between the two.

As far as career options are concerned I want to do gaming mainly, Concept art, taking the drawing and putting it in the computer and bringing it to life, character modeling, level designs, story boards...ect ect...

I dont want to be a one trick pony and limit my self to just that as I am also wanting to work on maybe short animation films or even given the chance to work on something big so I'm not to sure what I would want to specialize in just yet, perhaps modeling as I can take my concept and bring it to 3d and then be able to put it into the computer but I'm unsure as of yet.


I actually attended one of Ringling's open houses where they critique your portfolio and everything about a year ago while on leave and they told me when I do get out I shouldn't have a problem with my application...which I was ecstatic to hear....so I'm assuming based on that the other 2 schools I shouldn't have a problem either.


Money is not a problem as I'll have a good 50k worth in the GI Bill on top of FAFSA loans and would be able to pay the rest with my savings if there is any left. I'm just wanting the opinion of others as to which school to attend based on my career goals.

I know talent and dedication is key to being successful in this business but having a top knotch education doesn't hurt either.

I just need someone who has attended these schools to perhaps give some incite

[skvv]

some CA.org higher ups are ringling alums.

[setinstone85]

hopefully they can chime in on this then and perhaps give some input, I'm planning a trip to visit digipen in a few months and might sit in on a few classes if they allow it. After reading more and more I'm really conflicted between the two as I heard there both very well recognized schools in the industry

[WickedEdges]

Well, I'm an Iraq Vet myself and I'm a little confused where you're getting the $50K amount from, unless you have some sort of major kicker. The GI Bill, even the new one if I'm not mistaken isn't that much. It's closer to $40K. However with that in mind, have you seen what those schools cost per term/semester? Be sure you're being realistic here. It's great that you're getting out there and doing research now, but a LOT is going to change for you in the next few years. It's hard to plan with money you don't officially have yet (as you have to first fulfill your obligation in order to claim it) and a future that is very susceptible to change. Anyway, with that in mind, if you're active duty, then you'll have plenty of free time after you settle into your unit to do all sorts of online courses. You should take advantage of that and get some basic general education courses out of the way that will transfer to the school of your choosing, hopefully saving some of your hard earned (and trust me you WILL earn every penny) money.

I hope this helps, if you have any questions, I hope I can answer them.

[McLean]

I was considering Digipen before I finally settled on a school, and at the time I was looking at schools for animation. I settled on Ringling though, because you recieve a Bachelor's degree as opposed to the 2-year associate's degree offered by Digipen (unless its changed).

I, personally, would be more inclined to suggest ringling over digipen, because I know there's a lot of opportunity to get in figure drawing and painting, and develop skills that will ultimately make you a more well-rounded hire in companies' eye. When I was looking at digipen's site a while back, I didn't get as excited by what I saw. My impression is that digipen teaches you how to use the programs, but doesn't do as good a job developing those fundamental art skills that are so valuble. I think ringling has opened up a gaming major now, you may consider looking into that major. I'm sure by the time you are fee to attend school, their major will have had time to settle in and work out its bugs.

good luck figuring it out!