<p>There is also Brigham Young University, which has a strong animation program and have won several awards of all scales for their students’ work in the last 5-7 years. It is a lot cheaper than the majority of top animation schools in the U.S and is receiving recognition from Pixar, where it is rumour that talent scouts are sent to find prospect animators. Internships are part of the curriculum and they really emphasize team projects which is what the industry demands… the skills you need to work as a group. There may be a downside to some, and that is the fact that this is a private university owned by the LDS church, so keeping the standards there would apply to non-members. But it is a great program. It is highly selective, only 10-20 students get accepted each year out of about 75. I’m there now, as an animation pre-major, so hopefully I get accepted to the program.</p>
<p>Actually BYU is a good program but isn’t in the top 20 noted by 3D world magazine or by other rankings that I have seen.</p>
<p>The top in the US and Canada were in no certain order ( since I can’t remember the order)
Ringling, Academy of Art in SF, SCAD,SVA, RISD, Gnomon, Pratt, CalArts, USC,Sheridan College, and I think Vancouver Film School. See [3d</a> world mag ranking? - ConceptArt.org Forums](<a href=“http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1770431]3d”>http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1770431)</p>
<p>Of course, these may be for grad vs. undergrad. Moreover, the number don’t show the percentage of those who get jobs etc.</p>
<p>I am a recent MFA graduate from Savannah College of Art and Design, and I would recommend this advice to anyone who wants to get into animation.DO NOT GO TO A PRIVATE SCHOOLS. They are ridiculously expensive and they do not guarantee you the job, they are after all a business corporation.Your best bet is Animation Mentor…hands on animation with the pips in the industry. Costs $18.000 for 18 months of extensive training and close communication with the lead animators from DreamWorks, Pixar, Disney etc.I know a lot of people from SCAD who continued their education with A. M. and only then did they land the job.If I could I would do the same thing, but the SCAD farmer has milked me dry and now I am shy over $100K.
Good Luck y’all.</p>
<p>Bato, you may be right. HOWEVER, Animation Mentor is strictly a character animation school. They don’t teach rigging, modeling, shading etc. Thus, if you want the whole gamut of animation training, Animation Mentor may not be right for many folks UNLESS they are dead set on character animation…period. This was confirmed by their own admission office.</p>
<p>I find it pointless to get a Masters in Animation.</p>
<p>kiz137, your closemindedness is unnerving. People get a masters in animation for many reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li>It will provide more honing of abilities that they should already have.</li>
<li>It will allow for teaching in schools that require a terminal degree</li>
<li>It will allow for more specialized training in various animation fields than a general BFA.</li>
<li>Generally the best and most well-known instructors teach grad courses.</li>
<li>It is a bit more prestigious than a basic bachelors </li>
<li>For those that already have a bachelors in a different field, it allows for a lot of skill training without having to retake all those gen eds and other “irrelevant” courses.</li>
</ol>
<p>Trust me, a masters would be around, not to mention widespread, if there weren’t some decent reasons for it.</p>
<p>taxguy
What does this mean?
''a masters would be around, not to mention widespread, if there weren’t some decent reasons for it. "</p>
<p>Sorry I don’t understand.</p>
<p>I think he meant to say that a masters degree for animation would not be around if there weren’t benefits to it.</p>
<p>Here are some statistics I’d like to share for people who are looking to apply to either CalArts or Ringling College of Art and Design.</p>
<p>First off, both are the very best in their fields. CalArts is predominantly 2D animation while Ringling is 3D animation. For people worried about not being able to get a job by learning 2D animation, that’s nonsense. 2D is still being used and the market actually has been getting a little larger if I’m not mistaken. Anyways, both are extremely good at what they do. Both are extremely competitive. Also, both schools focus on Character Animation. This is where they teach you how to use the character’s movements and expressions to create a convincing, life-like visual. It’s like acting through your drawings/computer.</p>
<p>Here are some rough percentages you should look at when considering colleges at this type of level.</p>
<p>The estimated acceptance rate for these two colleges for animation:
CalArts: ~10% give or take. I would always lower your own estimate by a percent or two given its extremely high reputation as being the Harvard of Animation.</p>
<p>Ringling: ~25% give or take. Ringling has been ranked the #1 college in America for 2 years in a row now so competition has boomed. For the 2009 applicants, there were well over 300 applications and they said they would only accept around 90. So if Ringling keeps it up, you can expect similar if not smaller odds next year.</p>
<p>Anyways, those are rough percentages. the acceptance rate is quite small already so be prepared to work your butt off on life drawings. Here is another tip. Both colleges pay extreme attention to your style and form. You can bet that these two and other similar animation schools will be the same. So my hint is to experiment with your life drawings if you can. They get hundreds of applicants each year. Just because you can draw a human body well won’t be enough. You have to give it that extra something that makes your work stand out. It also doesn’t hurt to go searching through forums and whatnot and see if you can look at other portfolios. It helps give you a feel of what you’re up against and what the college might be looking for if you can get a peek at a portfolio that got someone in. Also, submit your portfolio to the forums and get feedback before turning it in.</p>
<p>I personally just started taking art classes in time to apply for Ringling’s CA program. I did not get in but they did offer me a spot in their other animation and 3d design programs. I turned it down since I really want to be a character animator so I’ll be applying to a larger number of animation schools next time including these two. Since I only took 2 days worth of life drawing in class, this summer I plan on doing a ton more.</p>
<p>anyways… sorry for the rant but hope it helps some of you.</p>
<p>Yes, I meant that a masters degree would NOT be around if there weren’t benefits to it" Sorry for the typo.</p>
<p>Also Although Ringling and Calarts are considered the two top programs in the US, there are other very strong programs too such as RISD, RIT,( which also just implemented a 3d Digital Graphics program for special effects animation), and many others listed above. Ringling and Calarts doesn’t have a lock on good animation training.</p>
<p>of course, my apologies if I made it seem that way. I just decided to give out the information I had on those two in particular.</p>
<p>there are a ton of good animation schools out there and you should definitely not limit your options. </p>
<p>for animation, these are some of the schools that I have personally been told were strong.</p>
<ul>
<li>CalArts</li>
<li>Ringling</li>
<li>Sheridan (Canada)</li>
<li>VFS(Vancouver Film School)</li>
<li>SCAD *not sure yet. some say it’s good, some say it’s so-so</li>
<li>Laguna CAD</li>
<li><p>RISD</p></li>
<li><p>Animation Mentor
*I’ve seen their work and it’s very impressive. a lot of their students get good jobs. Really depends on whether or not you’re comfortable taking classes online or if you prefer going to an actual campus type college</p></li>
</ul>
<p>I actually think there were a couple more in Canada but unfortunately, those are the only ones that I could pull out of the top of my head</p>
<p>4r13 notes, "I actually think there were a couple more in Canada but unfortunately, those are the only ones that I could pull out of the top of my head "</p>
<p>Response: Vancouver Film School.</p>
<p>Well, I didn’t say it didn’t have benefits for OTHER people. I just said that “I” find it pointless, as in, pointless for “me”. It doesn’t make me closedminded or whatever. For me, it would just be an expense I couldn’t afford.</p>
<p>Didn’t you felt so strongly, gosh. XD</p>
<p>yes, thatwas one of them but I already listed it. it was under VFS</p>
<p>MomPhd,
so sorry for the delayed response! I believe this year the accepted students are about 100, however, I believe that total is split between the CA and GAD ( Game Art Design) majors. My daughter has bout 85-90 students in her History of Animation class, a required class for CA majors. The competition is getting tougher by the week. DD 's boyfriend is GAD and currently there are only 16 in that major. This years acceptance letters for CA/GAD have been sent out and the wait list is activated for the 09/10 year. While a killer portfolio is quite influential, GPA, Essay, letters of rec., activities etc. are all very much part of the acceptance game. GPA nad art school are sort of a sore spot for many, but Ringling prides itself on that #1 rating for North America, #4 in the world. They like their students to have the makings of professionals, they want all the kids to suceed but the demanding program ( financially and academically) will weed out the serious hardworkers form the “hey, art school is a blast” students. These kids are fighting for internships summer of their sophomore years, and really need to have one by their summer heading into Senior year. Our daughter just left this morning to head back from Spring Break, she was stressed the whole break that she should have stayed at school and worked over the break…she sits in as many extra animation classes as she can, research is also a huge part of 3D Animation. I have never seen my kid happier about school, ever. She knows she will owe $ forever. She has conceded on traditional things like a wedding, house ( owning one anyway) kids…she knows an Animator has a different life style. She has also learned how widely used and needed the field is, from the CIA to forensic animation, advertising to the usual film/game entertainmnetn industry. I think one of the huge benefits of Ringling is the small size, allwoing awesome student /teacher ratio. A new dorm will be completed this fall allowing another 200 or so freshman , but 6 more majors have also been added. Like I said before, the small handful of top kids from a variety of schools will be the ones who are sought after, anyone going into Animation should keep that in mind. Ringling works the kids so they know what they are in for and can hit the ground running if fortunate enough to get a position. They should also be qualified for many options, not just character design. I can attest as my daughter already has “preffered areas” of animation she is interested in, stuff she had only limited knowledge of coming out of high school. Keep in mind as well, not just the usual high school grads apply to Ringling…the age range for incoming freshman is across the board…many who have completed a 4 year degree and realize that CA is what they really want, or many in the working world improving their skills…many who had to wait due to finances. Mnay will drop due to the same finances which is a shame, but a reality. Also, if you do drop but are in good standing, youcan reapply, but can only re-enter the program if there is room, meaning if anyone else dropped and you are not beat out by new applicants. It is a gamble, for sure. The grading is tough on classes in the major, and kids have been dropped due to a below C average…that is the minimum to stay on the program. My daughter has seen several leave, and she is only a freshman.</p>
<p>Another surprisingly good program for commercial animation is Capilano University in Vancourver. check out:[<meta http-equiv=“content-type” content=“text/html; charset=UTF-8”> <meta name=“TrulaFountaine” content=“IronPoint Conversion”> <meta name=“Date-Last-Revised” content=“Oct. 2008”> <script type=“text/javascript” src="<a href=“http://www.gradshow.com/b[/url]”>http://www.gradshow.com/b](<a href=“http://www.capilanou.ca/programs/animation/animation-programs/commercial-animation-program.html”>http://www.capilanou.ca/programs/animation/animation-programs/commercial-animation-program.html</a>)</a></p>
<p>CalArts. </p>
<p>The School of Animation & Visual Effects at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco isn’t as well known. It was recommended by a digital arts prof as a professionally-focused and accredited degree program. The rep I talked to mentioned the Academy has a fully-accredited on line animation degree program, too, which could be ideal for a non-traditional student. They’ve also had students take on line courses while studying abroad. [Academy</a> of Art University: Animation School, Animation Schools](<a href=“http://www.academyart.edu/animation-school/index.html]Academy”>http://www.academyart.edu/animation-school/index.html)</p>
<p>Check out both Laguna College of Art and Chapmen University in addition to those noted above.</p>
<p>Let me also note that there are a few terrific colleges up in Canada that can be less expensive than American Schools. The three top schools in Canada for animation are:
1.Sheridan College (Several one year programs)
2. Max the Mutt,which seems to have a terrific classical character animation program ( which is a four year program and seems very inexpensive but has strong faculty)
3. Vancouver Film School</p>
<p>These have programs that rival any of the best American programs.</p>
<p>Mentioned in one of the above posts is the animation program at USC in Los Angeles. There are links posted today,3/20, on a post referring to the School of Cinematic Arts at USC.<br>
I suggest you watch the videos for a view of what these programs offer.</p>
<p>After doing some research on schools, you might also want to consider Max the Mutt. It is a four year program which costs about $10,000 per year, Canadian,which makes it a bit cheaper for us Americans. See <a href=“http://www.maxthemutt.com%5B/url%5D”>www.maxthemutt.com</a>. There is also Laguna College of Art,which is about 30K per year. If you want trade oriented schools that don’t give diplomas, just certificate, which can be even better than most colleges , check out [AnimationMentor.com</a> The Online Animation School®](<a href=“http://www.animationmentor.com%5DAnimationMentor.com”>http://www.animationmentor.com) and [GNOMON</a> School of Visual Effects](<a href=“http://www.gnomon3d.com%5DGNOMON”>http://www.gnomon3d.com) .</p>
<p>hi i am an indian student and i want to do animation either with an MA or MFA degree from the best university of USA where there is campus placement available …plz guys help me out as i wasted my current year finding the right university plz tell me the best university where i can shape my career…
p.s
MA or MFA in 3d computer animation</p>