Hello ! I am on a hunt for a college that is best for me. I am looking to major in Animation, specifically 2D Digital Animation. I would like to mostly study character animation and story telling. I’ve been looking at my choices for quite long enough and I just need a graduate’s, a current student’s or an expert’s opinion on any of these colleges listed. Suggestions are acceptable as well. I have made a short summary list of these college choices.
CALARTS
Avg cost after aid: $46K
Graduation rate: 63%
Acceptance rate: 25%
PROS
• #1 character animation school
• learn a lot of useful materials
• good amount of notable almunis
CONS
• lowest acceptance rate
• application process is overwhelming
• the furthest from home and from gf, opposite side of the country, different timezone
SVA
Avg cost after aid: $41K
Graduation rate: 67%
Acceptance rate: 75%
PROS
• highest acceptance rate
• in the same state i live in, not too far from home
• great amount of notable alumnis
CONS
• small and compact
• being in a college in a busy city sounds overwhelming, distracting, and crowded
• far from gf :'o(
SCAD
Avg cost after aid: $37K
Graduation rate: 66%
Acceptance rate: 70%
PROS
• cheapest
• good rep for food and living
• live near my gf !!!
CONS
• courses show lots of useless materials, including classes for 3D i don’t want to take
• not many good alumnis for 2D animation industry
• can be known for giving overwhelming work
Now I know what you might be thinking. It is unprofessional of me to think about relationships when choosing the best education for myself, and I know almost everyone has to go through leaving behind family, friends, and their partner. Living around my gf is not a big factor for me even though it’s listed in all the colleges. Sustaining another 4 years apart is very painful for both of us, especially when we’ve been in a long-term committed relationship and have been far apart for 5 years already, and have visited and stood with each other a couple times. She is still deciding what she wants to do, leaning on illustration, game design, and music, as I am into animation. She’s already enrolled for SCAD for this fall, and that’s all.
Right now i’m focusing on what I can get the most out of any of these colleges. What college will pursue my future as an Animator and what is more comfortable for me. I would be thankful for any comments and advice given.