<p>I have spoken to a number of folks in animation and did a lot of research. The top animation programs according to them is:</p>
<p>CalArts
Sheridan College in Canada ( don’t neglect this place. It is VERY highly regarded).</p>
<p>SVA also gets mentioned a fair amount.</p>
<p>Ringling has also been mentioned but not as frequently as the other three. The same can be said about SCAD.</p>
<p>I thought I had read somewhere about Ringling have the best CA program. Don’t know how their research, contacts differ from yours taxguy, and I’m not posting this in order to start a debate, but I did want to include this snippet for anyone looking into CA programs:</p>
<p>The Computer Animation program at Ringling College of Art and Design is ranked #1 in North America by 3D World magazine for the second year in a row. 3D World is an international magazine for 3D artists.</p>
<p>I agree with MattsMomFL. One of my daughters friends was just given a summer internship w/top movie animation group after his freshman year at Ringling. Not bad.</p>
<p>University of the Arts in Philadelphia has a wonderful illustration program.</p>
<p>Sculptor - Can you tell us more about the illistration program at Uarts and the school in general?</p>
<p>I would like to know more about the art program at UARTs as well. Any information would be helpful. Thanks.</p>
<p>They are having an open house this Saturday from 12-4.</p>
<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I was accepted to both Otis and CCA for communication design and was wondering what people thought of each school. From what I have heard and read, Otis is more well known. Also it seams like no one in this thread has mentioned California College of the Arts. I am actually leaning towards CCA for its location because I love San Francisco and would like to stay in the area after I graduate, so it seems that making contacts in the city I want to live in would make a lot of sense. I also read that they have a great program that is like an internship, where a group of students design almost all the communication works for the school. </p>
<p>I would love your input! Thanks!</p>
<p>mackinaw mentions the California College of the Arts on the first page, in post #9, but doesn’t give any specifics other than that it’s a good school. Perhaps email mackinaw?</p>
<p>My daughter is an illustration major at MICA. I would definately rank this school second to RISD, even though I consider RISD a Design, rather than an Art school. Her illustration, and overall education has been phenomenal. She has been especially enthusiastic about her teachers. But be prepared to work. She takes 5 courses per semester.</p>
<p>I consider RISD an art school rather than a design school, but I’m sure MICA is a good school too.</p>
<p>i’m sure someone has said this in this string of comments, but you should look at sva! very strong illustration.</p>
<p>Just visited SCAD’s open house. Very impressive presentation of the schools. Stay away from the two dorm outside the 'Historic District." Saw the performing arts, theatre departments presentation of “A New Brain.” FANTASTIC talent! While speaking with a professor, he said "if your kid has an ounce of talent and a 3.0 AND you have the money-it’s a slam dunk. I suggest you visit the school.</p>
<p>At least he is honest</p>
<p>Yes, Ringling has been in the news a lot more. However, it is strongest for 3d animation and not 2d per se. However, it should definitely be checked out. For me the animation schools in North American, in no particular order are:</p>
<ol>
<li>Ringling: known for mostly 3d</li>
<li>CalArts, Known for mostly 2d
3 SVA: </li>
<li>Laguna College of Art</li>
<li>SCAD both animation and sequential art</li>
<li>Max the Mutt in Canada: traditional animation</li>
<li>Seneca College in Canada</li>
<li>Sheridan College in Canada</li>
<li>FIT in US</li>
<li>Gnomon, which is a 3d graphics trade school.</li>
<li>Animation mentor, which is solely online training for character animation</li>
</ol>
<p>I live in Sarasota (home of Ringling College of Art & Design) and it is definitely the “go to” college for animation. That’s where they put their money. Ringling is also known for illustration. Animation majors may want to check out Full Sail in Orlando also. Unfortunately, my daughter wants to major in fashion design…</p>
<p>The deadline to apply for Art Center’s scholarship for the spring semester is 10/1, and I don’t think I can make it. I would definitely need the scholarship… but I just don’t think I can finish editing my portfolio before 10/1. Do you guys know if Art Center allows re-applying/other opportunities later on for scholarships, say, in sophomore year. </p>
<p>2nd question, I went to SVA for animation and had a 3.4 GPA, and now am trying to transfer into the Illustration program in Art Center. The admissions counselor said I had a high chance of getting in, but I’m not sure if she was just being nice. I showed her mainly my life drawings though, and in the 10-15 pieces portfolio requirement, the most life-drawings I can use is 5… even 5 seems a bit too many. My question is, what subject matter would you suggest me to do for the rest of the imaginative pieces? Since I don’t really have much besides lifedrawing ones. Also, what do you think about my chance of getting in? That’s a really lame/vague question but I guess I just need a confidence boost…lol :[</p>