SVA vs. Ringling

[JOZIE]

I plan on applying to SVA and Ringling and from what I've heard everyone gets into SVA, and Ringling is much harder to get into. So I'm sort of expecting to get into SVA and not Ringling, and I'm just trying to figure out if I should wait a year, take community college classes, get better, and try Ringling again, or just go to SVA.

The curriculum at SVA (computer art) seems much more balanced between visual effects/animation, and I've seen a few demo reels out of there that are just as good as Ringling's, just not as many. And it's in New York City

But, I live within driving distance from Ringling, and, it's the best animation school out there. I think I'm just worried about it having a curriculum so strongly centered on character animation, and I'd like to be more well-rounded then that.

I don't know, maybe I worry too much. But if anyone has any experiences at either school or anything, please tell!

thanks :)

[Justin.]

It's hard to get into the Computer animation major at RSAD. I've seen some really iffy candidates make into their other majors.

[thesinfulsaint]

It isn't as hard to get into Ringling as you might think. Try to get into some figure drawing classes, and use that work in your portfolio. They love seeing stuff from life. :) If Ringling is really where you want to be, you'll find a way.

Also, even though Ringling's program is mostly focused on character animation, there are tons of students who wind up doing work in lighting, texturing, etc. Ringling lets students tailor their theses to what they really want to be doing. :)

[artmessiah]

Post some of your work here.

Both are great schools, but if you are close to Ringling why not shoot for that school. Like Saint said, Ringling is picky, but if they see stuff drawn from life and stuff put together with a creative flair - you are in. You don't have to be Da Vinci, you just have to be creative with whatever you submit -and lots of figure or life drawings/paintings helps.

[Elwell]

And it's in New York City
Are you presenting this an an advantage or a disadvantage? Because location may be the deciding factor.

[riccjohn]

I go to SVA and yes, it isn't that hard to get into SVA. DO NOT LET THIS MISLEAD YOU. I see you have already seen the work that comes out of SVA students, so you can see that not just anyone is making these videos. The reason is that while SVA is not a hard school to get into, the workload is so tough and you learn so much, that by the time you are a senior, any students who are not truly dedicated or just plain do not have the skill or talent to be the top animators and vfx artists in the industry, are weeded out. In many peoples minds (including my own), SVA is the best Computer Art and animation school in the Northeast.

[JessicaNoel]

RSAD's acceptance rate is 70%. Apply there first don't waste time at a community college. In your port it might help you to have...
10 figure drawings from life. They can be 20 minute sessions if you want.
3 still ilfes
2 paintings

[rblitz7]

Well I say go for Ringling...just make sure you get a good amount of figure drawings in and have at least 75% of your portfolio from life. It would help if you show some of your work. Heres most of my portfolio I sent in.
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/3964/2ws5.jpg
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6248/3kr8.jpg
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/3029/1cj0.jpg
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/8246/4pv8.jpg
http://img309.imageshack.us/img309/2715/6uo9.jpg
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/6457/oilportraitix3.jpg
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/5197/illustrationit7.jpg
http://img436.imageshack.us/img436/460/stilllifeupdatezt6.jpg
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8787/pump3mg2.jpg
http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/9747/spnewyd7.jpg

[Elwell]

I wonder whatever happened to Jozie...