Already in at 2 schools. Looking for somewhere in Cali. Need help!

[chopsky]

Hey guys,

My current situation: I live in South Africa. I have a B.Com(4 year degree) in Information Systems but I've always been a digital artist at heart.

So a few months ago I decided I wanted to study a computer-based design program abroad in the USA/Canada. I applied to Vancouver Film School (Digital Design) and Portfolio Center (Media Architecture). I've decided I'm probably going to rule off VFS. I get the impression that their program is mainly technical and lacks real conceptual design and design theory. After all, any monkey can an application.

So here's my pickle: I cant really afford to do another 4 years of studying (living expenses for 4 years would be A LOT, especially for an international who isnt earning any income), nor do I really want to. Also, if I studied for 4 more years, Id want to now walk out with more than a Bachelor's degree. So that rules out a BFA/BA.
I dont have an undergrad degree in art, so getting into an MFA program would probably be near impossible. Also, if I did get in, Id probably feel a bit out of place, given I'd lack the education of my peers who'd have art under-grads.

Hence why I looked at a graduate school like Portfolio Center who offer a 2 year program, but literally teach you from the ground up. Also they are supposedly quite a prestigious school?

Keep in mind, any school Im applying to, I cant really visit, because the cost of a trip to America to visit all the schools is very expensive

Here's what I now want: I'd like to apply to a school in California, as ultimately that's where I'd like to be most. It would put me a lot closer to my family in Nevada and I've been to LA, San Diego, OC etc before and love it there. I've looked at options such as Art Center, Otis, Cal Arts, Art Academy (San Fran).

One option that is sticking out at the moment is Miami Ad School's San Fran branch. Does anyone know anything about this school? If so, would the SF branch be worse than the Miami one, given that is the 'head office'? What's the story there?

Ultimately, Art Center is the most appealing at the moment of all the universities for many reasons, but I have no idea what I'd be able to study there. I have no idea whether I'd qualify for a Graduate program, and dont want to do a BFA.
The CalArts 3-year MFA program also looks quite appealing because they seem to offer the core BFA courses in the first year, so one can catch up.

Do I have any other options in Cali?

You can take a look at my portfolio at: http://www.smartweb.co.za - Click "DOWNLOAD PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION". Continuing to the main site will take you to my slightly older portfolio.
Maybe looking at my work will help you form an opinion.

Thanks a lot guys!
I appreciate any responses I get.

[gunnz]

I'm in the same boat. I have a BA in Studio Art, and I'm currently in the illustration program at Art Center. I'm paying 14 grand a quarter to draw boxes! The teachers I have aren't super hard like everyone says, but they are really good professionals that are very helpful. I love it here, but it's just too expensive to relax and learn this stuff from the bottom up. However....I'm planning to go to an atelier until I can build up my portfolio to get into a good Masters Program in illustration or Digital Media. I'm also thinking about UCLA, Parsons, or RISD. Ahh...why is it so difficult to get an education??
Honestly, almost all the classes I'm taking here could just be taken at an atelier. It's only when you get to the upper level classes do they deviate from traditional illustration and figure drawing. Plus, they make you take writing and other crap you don't need. I feel like good illustration (digital or traditional) all starts with a good knowledge of painting (learning lighting and color), great drawing of figures (skeletal structure and anatomy), and ideas (sketching everyday stuff, always absorbing culture and media). I see a lot of student's concept work here, and all they are missing is the realism. Learning to draw a super realistic pot or some sort of still life seems really boring, but I think it has everything to do with that now.
A lot of people say it's not about the piece of paper that says you graduated from design school, whether it be a BFA or MFA...yadayadayada. But I feel like adapting your skills to a professional platform is almost necessary to work commercially. I talked with my dad's friend, the former graphic design chair at Art Center about this. He actually said that a lot of international agencies and firms look at your school first, and then your portfolio second. Anyways.....if you find any good info, let me know. I know somebody in the Digital Media Masters program at Parsons, and I didn't get a great impression from it. They don't require a reel for that, just a regular portfolio of art.
BTW....nice portfolio.