I don't know what I'm doing. College/finding college help?

[Arbor]

Okay, so. I'm at the point where I need to move onto college, but I have absolutely no idea on how to go about finding the kinds of schools I want, getting into them, getting the money to get into them, etc. etc. etc. I have no idea what I'm doing, and it is kind of terrifying.

Alright. So except for a brief stint in freshman year, I was homeschooled from 5th grade and up. And by homeschooled, I mean my parents bought me text books and workbooks for those years, and basically said, "get to it." It was up to me to read the books and figure it out, and then do the work. (And then check the work.) I did go to schools for the end of the year tests to make sure I wasn't falling behind/turned in my grades to whatever state homeschooling group there was wherever we were.

I have three older siblings - none of them went to college. (Well, one sister went to community college, and then smaller specialized colleges, but she dropped out, started over in something else and dropped out again. Three times. She doesn't really have any advice for me either.) My parents didn't go to college.

When talking to my mother, her advice is, "I dunno. Just pick one and go, if you want to."

When talking to my father... well, I dont actually ask my dad for advice. He's of the sort who thinks that being an artist isn't a real job and is a waste of time and money. I had to relocate my living arrangements for a few weeks after I made the choice that art is something I really want to do, he was so livid about it.

So I'm really baffled and confused and frustrated by the whole search for college. I honestly don't even know where to start, or who to talk to, and I feel like an idiot for not knowing.

I will have to pay for whatever college I choose by myself, my parent' can't afford to help, and my father wouldn't even if he could. I have a full time job (as an artist. I am also 21. I know, I guess I'm a little old to be floundering this badly.) I'm going to need to get... loans? And scholarships? I dont know how to go about that, either. (Man. Turning into an adult is terrifying.) My GPA has never dropped below 3.75, and I want to learn everything I can, so I hope I would qualify?

I would like to study both animation (traditional) and illustration, if I can. I don't think I really mind what kind of school it is, but I would prefer, from what I've heard, a more classical instruction? I want to learn everything I possibly can, I don't want to be sped through a program.

I currently live in Texas, but we moved around so much as a kid that there is almost nowhere in the US that I haven't been to in the past, and relocating isn't an idea that scares me. I have been going to a community college here, and I do enjoy it.

I do have one 75lb problem when looking at new schools. I have a dog, and obviously cannot live on campus or in dorms/student housing because of that. I know it creates problems, but I can't and wont leave him behind. Some people have kids. I have a Weimaraner. It might sound stupid, but I will happily cut out a school or place to live if I had to leave him behind. He's family.

So I guess I need... any advice that can be offered. School suggestions would be amazing. (I know someone who went to fullerton, for example. It does interest me a lot, but the living cost kind of scares the hell out of me. I do need to look at more than one school, I know.)

I wish I knew more of what information I could give. I feel like I've been dumped in the ocean and am sinking fast. There's just so much, and I don't know where to start.

[Ninjerk]

Quick question before I start putting together an answer. You said you've moved around a lot, but do you have current established residency in any particular state? Public universities, at the very least, have lower tuition and fees for students who have residency in the state they wish to attend. Although many will scoff at the art departments in the public education system, universities seem to have more funding at their disposal. If your GPA is as good as you say you may be able to get enough money together, at little expense to yourself (as opposed to the private art schools), so that you can focus more on your studies and less on waiting table, tending bar, or making burritos.

[Praemium]

Well, if you live near Houston I would advise you to check out Glassell School of Art. It's run by the MFAH, and it's a pretty decent school. I've taken classes before and I was really skeptical, but all the teachers were really professional (and I was only in the junior version of the program).
I can't really give you much advice on securing financial aid, but definitely find out if you qualify for FAFSA. I'm pretty sure you can win scholarships to Glassell with a decent portfolio. Glassell is really more of a fine arts school though. Also, there is some figurative arts program up near dallas, but I don't know much about it.

I hear Texas A&M has a decent animation program (although no true visual arts program). Look into the schools, figure out FAFSA. That's really all the help I can give you. Perhaps that will give you a little push in the right direction.

[EDIT] Just looked it up and the deadline for portfolio scholarships for Spring '10 through Glassell are due on Monday, November 9. When I was there they seemed to be quite generous to students who at least showed promise.

[Arbor]

Ninjerk, I have been in Texas for a few years, so I have residency here. I'm Dallas based at the moment. I'm not adverse to staying in Texas, even though that isn't my ideal. xD It will be cheaper here, even though I don't know of schools specifically in Texas that I would love.

I will look at Glassell, even though I'm not in Houston, thank you. I do have family in Houston, at least!

[lake7less]

I think money is always a factor in choosing life style. Learn to cook! Frozen meat is a lot cheaper than fried meat (it's also healthier to do it yourself). Also drink water instead of juice (that much sugar is simply unjustified and your body will teach you that lesson the hard way). If you have a cheap lifestyle you only need a part time job and you gain a lot of free time. Time will give you the space required to be what you want to be while money will only get you chasing money.
If you get a cheap roof above your head in campus (here the rent on campus is monthly and cheap enough to settle with a part time job) then it doesn't really matter what school you are in. As long as you show up for the lectures the exams won't be a mystery.
And a degree should not stand in your way of making a living trough art. In freelancing a portfolio usually outweighs a diploma (only from my personal experience). That again who knows what the future might bring; if ppl don't implement alternatives to fossil fuel (since we hit peak oil)then imported food might become an issue and agriculture might become a hobby for everyone. Still, as long as ppl have enough wealth to seek out entertainment, art will be a good field. It's easier to find employers for work that can be mailed so digital art is really ok for now.
Best of luck & don't worry; you will be just fine. God never tells anyone when they are doing the right thing. Whenever ppl act like they know what's going on they only decided by themselves that they know what they have to do. The outcome of your life is not of your choosing, only your attitude towards it is. Pick a life you guess you could be happy with and are curious to find out about. Then be happy with whatever comes ,at least you won't have to wonder "what would have happened if I had tried it". My advice is to pick an easy life with a low rate of threat to good health :)

[RyerOrdStar]

If you're used to homeschooling and are obviously good at setting goals and meeting goals for yourself, you could just go to a generic arts program in a university and get the rest of your information on the side from sites like this. There's plenty of information here, and at a school you'll be able to get facilities and life drawing and such.

[supermichaelman]

If you're looking for a classical training, UNT is a really good place for this. (You know I speak from experience). However, it does not currently have animation or Illustration degrees. Much of this school is dependent on ones self to get out of it what you put in to it.

There are a few ways to search for collages, the best way I found was to decide what you would be willing to do for a career and find what school offers what best works for you.

Also I would recommend looking into grants. When you decide to move out and you no longer count as a dependent grants are easier to come by. Plus getting one with your GPA will not be hard at all. Getting a cheap apartment that takes dogs is usually not a problem, it merely takes going out to that college and just looking around, also putting up ads really helps.

Also I have found that deciding what degree you want to go for first and the class requirements is a major help. The reason being is that many of these classes can be taking at the community college and transferred. that way you can get your BS classes (i.e. English or Math) out of the way easy and cheap... Ive saved a little over $15,000 getting my AA in Arts at CVC and transferring to UNT. This only holds true only if you choose to go in state, many classes transfer weird, if not at all, when it comes to community colleges and out of state universities.

I hope this helps...