Gap Year in Art Colleges? Ringling?

[rruler]

Hello, first post :)

I currently go to high school and have sent my applications, one of which Ringling College for CA.

I was however thinking of taking a gap year and then attend college the next year. I was wondering, if I'm accepted to the program this year, is there some sort of way to keep my place for the successive year to start (even if you have to pay a fee) without having to re-apply?

I mean, after all if you get a spot it means you did something right to deserve the spot, if you can assure them you want to attend their college, would it be a problem for them to give the spot i dont take this year to someone and give me one next year? Sounds reasonable... thanks!

If anyone has specific info about Ringling it would be awesome, but im also applying to SCAD, SVA and CalArts.

[copperfire]

Hmmmm, I wish I could say yes, but I'm pretty sure if you're accepted and you don't attend, you'd have to re-apply the next year. But, if you were accepted the first time, what's not to say you'd be accepted the next? Personally though I'd say it's not a bad idea to take a year off from Ringling, I went to a community college for a year before Ringling, took art classes and liberal arts classes, then transferred all of it to Ringling (all my credits transferred, but that's not always the case). Now I can pick classes that I'll enjoy AND I'll be part-time as a senior (I'm in CA so I'll have nice amounts of time to work on my thesis). I was also able to receive scholarships through my community college that I now use through Ringling :D! Anyway, regardless I would contact admissions for questions like yours just in case, that's why they're there :)

[James.C]

Ya taking off a year isn't a bad idea at all, that's what I've been doing, and yeah I'm doing a year of community college as well.

Copperfire, I'm applying for classes for the upcoming semester and I'm wondering which liberal arts classes you took. Just so I have an idea of what to register for in hopes that they'll transfer over, thanks.

[copperfire]

Let's see, I took a math class, creative writing, art history (although I hear it's much easier at Ringling XD) no science, Ringling will not transfer science classes, unless you take some sort of environmental science, but even then they might not take it from what I hear lol, I also took figure drawing, drawing II (I got credit for drawing 1 through AP art portfolio, however Ringling will only accept the credit if you get a 4 or higher, same with AP English credits) and seems like I had more but I can't access my transcript (Ringling closes it on IQ web while they input grades). Also, be aware that Ringling does not always take art credits for core classes, all of mine transferred (which sucked because I ended up having no core classes for my first semester, only liberal arts, blah :P!)

Regardless I think you can call and ask for a list of classes, I hear a lot of students take classes at the local community college during the summer so the school should have a list of classes that transfer from most community colleges.

[rruler]

Well the money is not the issue, and neither is the classes as i have taken the full IB diploma...i was just thinking of living somewhere by myself for a year, like Paris. My life seems somewhat robotic right now and i realize the only time for me to actually have some time without having to worry about assignments/classes/work is right now, between HS and College...so i thought a year to cool off, get some good art done by myself, find some inspiration and overall live a week without having to worry about deadlines would be awesome. Even just 6 months. Would i not be able to join the college in another semester, like Spring 2010? My councilor said you can defer you admittance up to one year in most universities...

[copperfire]

Even just 6 months. Would i not be able to join the college in another semester, like Spring 2010? My councilor said you can defer you admittance up to one year in most universities...

Sure! If you feel like some time to yourself and it's possible, go for it! Like I said before though, I'd ask admissions for a sure fire answer when it comes to transferring into the spring semester.