@AskExperts it’s solely about location. My daughter and the heat don’t mix. She gets physically ill when she’s too hot. She’s loves the cold weather. Another reason is race relations in the south. We are a family of color and I’m happy she’s not heading down south.
@AskExperts it’s solely about location. My daughter and the heat don’t mix. She gets physically ill when she’s too hot. She’s loves the cold weather. Another reason is race relations in the south. We are a family of color and I’m happy she’s not heading down south.
@NYCMomof3 merit is usually talent, and then they (depending on school) give academic as well. Some schools give hefty scholarships for both wrapped into one (like the “presidential scholarship” or “chairmans scholarship”. From my experience, every school offered a merit scholarship, and the other’s stacked academic on top. Then Pratt, SAIC, and SVA offered bigger combined awards. SCAD did keep calling and offering more money, but like your daughter, hates the heat, and we had 2 family friends that discouraged her from going there for animation (both were recent graduates) and she could not shake that negativity. The application process WAS tedious, and I sure am glad it’s over! Im heading to visit in a couple weeks, will report back!!
@moonpie thank you!
My son just got an acceptance email to SCAD. No word yet on financials or transfer credits, they said there would be an official letter on the way, but he has been accepted.
@CalGal17 congratulations!!!
@NYCMomof3 Thank you!
@moonpie May I ask the reason why your friends (recent graduates) didn’t like the animation program at SCAD? SCAD is on my son’s list and I would love to get more information. Thanks.
@AskExperts I think part of it was some change of top professors with different styles, maybe some sour grapes at being a year out and not working in their field and not being prepared well (these are their words, not mine). However, I know 2 other recent grads who have amazing jobs in their fields (photography and graphic design), so honestly could just be an example of students who didnt make the most of their opportunities. I was impressed with the school when we visited, and thought the facilities and student work was impressive! but in the end, something had to knock a few off the list! Absolutely go visit on one of their visitation days!!
My D16 is an animation major at SCAD (sophomore) and we’ll see how it works out for her. She works very hard and makes the most of her time there, but she came in w/o much drawing and zero experience in Maya so she’s behind the curve. However, she keeps in contact with her profs, contributes to the discussions, incorporates the feedback she receives, and loves every minute of it. The jury is out on her, obviously, in terms of whether she will find a good job upon graduation. She is the example par excellence of whether SCAD can turn a hard-working student with little experience in art/design to start into a working animation professional. There are MANY like her at SCAD because the school doesn’t require a portfolio for admission (D16 did submit one and got some money as a result). Many drop out/transfer before completing their degree. And animation is the most popular major, hands down. There is going to be a lot of competition for jobs and my guess is that not everyone gets one (or gets the job they want). Their overall placement stats probably don’t break that down by field. It’s easy to see how there might be some sour grapes - a lot depends on how well you did there, not just whether you were able to finish. Highly doubt, however, that there is a “lack of preparation” - that sounds more like someone deflecting the blame elsewhere. I’ve seen the curriculum, heard about the critiques from the prof. and the fellow students, and fail to see how anyone taking those courses can’t be well-prepared. Furthermore, SCAD has many, many opportunities for career and professional development as well as competitions, chances to assist the seniors in their projects, outside project opportunities, and so forth.
Obviously, you should choose your school wisely. However, the #1 determinant of whether you succeed or not as a professional creative is going to be: you.
@moonpie thanks!
@JBStillFlying thanks!
I agree with @JBStillFlying … too good of reputation and student work for it NOT to be a contender for anyone wanting to work in field!! I had forgotten about the “non-required portfolio” for admission, and also agree that it must be hard for some students with less skill to compete. In the end, it comes down to fit and finances!!! Hard work, relationships with professors, and having the opportunities to get industry internships and experience pays off!
@NYCMomof3 --I know that you don’t have Ringling or SCAD on your list for specific reasons but I my suggestion was to look at their student work as a matter of comparison between schools.
We just got word that my son got a very decent merit scholarship award at SCAD. No word yet on the Portfolio based scholarship, but if it ends up being a good amount, he may be heading to SCAD in January! He is currently at the community college.
I have been following this discussion and Art School Admission 2017 for some time; I found all comments, advice, experience to be very helpful. My D19 is interested in studying illustration. Some background about her: she has not had a lot of formal training, but has natural talent and self taught over the last couple of years a little more seriously. She took her first HS art class last year as a sophomore - drawing and painting. Since 3rd grade, she as doodled and drawn in other classes while teacher teaches/lectures. Her drawing in classes was a focusing technique she developed in ordered to pay attention in class. Most teachers allowed it because they realized that she was paying attention to the topic on hand. Some hated it. We were never contacted about it, because she was an excellent student who was not disruptive. We learned last year her doodling became full blown drawings in all her classes and class notebooks and a couple of teachers, esp AP Econ, really discouraged her. Needless to say, she struggled in that class a bit because she didn’t have her focusing tool. That experience really made us see that she does have art skills that should be developed. She took a figure drawing class at SAIC’s precollege this summer; she loved the experience and wants to pursue an art degree. She is currently taking AP Art.
She attended the National Portfolio Day event at SAIC yesterday and found it very valuable. Her main goal was to get real critiques and advice on making a stronger portfolio for submission next year. She talked to 9 school reps and received consistent feedback - she has good technical drawing skills, but she need more pieces that show her personality, more movement and substantive pieces. My daughter met with the reps alone; she did not want me be involved except to be a line holder for her. She said all the reps were “nice and complimentary” with the feedback but she wasn’t quite sure how genuine they were. Interestingly she valued the RIT rep’s critique the most because he was very critical and “roasted her in a helpful way.” Since my husband and I have no experience in this arena, we don’t know how to interpret the feedback. My D said she understands it but can’t quite articulate it to us. However, she said she know what to do and is glad that she has the year to work on developing her portfolio.
She talked to reps from RIT, RISD, Pratt, Ringling, Wash U, Michigan’s Stamp, Laguna, CalArts, and Cooper Union. Afterwards, she ruled out Cooper Union, Michigan’s Stamp, and CalArts. We ran out of time to see other schools like Syracuse and Tyler at Temple.
At this time, all we can hope is that she continues to work on her portfolio and continue to stay on top of her academics. This year her academic classes are eating up a substantial amount her time along with her school activities of ice hockey and robotics.
While she focuses on her part, I want to help research precollege programs for summer 2018. I would welcome advice from experienced parents. My D wants to attend a program that will really help her strengthen her portfolio and is longer than 2 weeks. She felt two weeks at SAIC this past summer was too short. Doing some googling, I see that MICA, Pratt, Ringling, RISD, Wash U offer programs that are 4-5 weeks long. Could you tell me if these programs have competitive admission process or are they more first come first serve? Most schools just have summer dates on their websites, not many specifics just yet. Her interest is mainly in illustration but also likes working in digital media. She decided she does not want to pursue animation. Given her interest, is one program more suited for her to developing her skills and portfolio?
Thanks in advance for your comments.
@cag60093 6 months ago. my son’s portfolio is more like a fan arts type of work. Then I decided to sign him up the pre-college program at Ringling (4 weeks). I found his skills has excelled a lot, beyond my expectation. When we looked back at his portfolio from last year, we both laughed because his work was actually quite bad. This year, he has received lots of compliments at the NPD.
@cag60093 sorry I hit the “post comment” too soon. 
The pre-college program is not very competitive to get in. WE applied pretty early. During the opening ceremony they said the number of precollege students of this year is the largest in their history. Once you sign up, you will select two immersions of your interests. My son picked drawing for animation and 3d animation. He realized he didn’t like 3d as much as he thought. This is a good way to find out before investing a lot of money on tuition. I found RIngling is very organized and he met a lot of good friends that he still keeps in touch today, Please feel free to ask more questions about Ringling. Good luck.
@cag60093: My D15 - also a doodler in class and good student etc. - attended RISD for their 6 week precollege program and found it to be invaluable. It probably is the most expensive as well but at least at the time we found them all to priced similarly on a per-week basis! She really wanted the best and most intense because she - and we - felt she had some catchup work to do in terms of getting a decent portfolio ready for college admissions. The good thing about these programs is that you 1) do emerge with those portfolio pieces and 2) test out your desire to pursue the BFA.
We know others who have done SAIC’s as well and loved it. I think it’s possible to sign up for a couple of 2-week sessions, correct? But it’s also helpful to attend another program and check that out. Some of these, RISD, Pratt, and (I think) MICA, will run them kind of like a mini foundation year where you take a studio in drawing, in design, and perhaps add a studio in a “major” subject, and then you also take an academic course which is typically art history.
If you can swing it financially pre-college is a definite recommendation for your D. Art colleges do ask whether you attended one and it can only help your application not only in skill development and exposure to the rigors of a BFA program but it also in signalling that you are serious about entering art college. Art colleges want studens who are committed and who will finish and graduate
RISD is first-come first served and opens in, I think, December. Pratt is too. Some of these programs will give you scholarship money for submitting a portfolio so that’s always an option.
Good luck to your D19!
Ringling’s precollege does not require a portfolio. It’s important though to apply early to get the immersion experience you want (computer animation closes out early for example).
My D did computer animation and I think graphic design for her immersions. Everyone had figure drawing and other common art classes (I know she did wire sculpture).
She pretty much developed her portfolio during those weeks. It was a 24/7 art experience and she loved every second. Her art grew so much in those short 4 weeks I was astounded. We (like AskExperts) sent her originally to “test the waters” of art school and make sure that’s what she really wanted.
If you do well and then go to Ringling, you get college credit for the precollege experience (I think 3 credits). I don’t know if other colleges do that or not.