CSU Fullerton or LCAD?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Alright, so having gone through the admissions process I'm finally reaching the decision point, but let's start off with some background. I'm currently a high school senior going to major in animation (my passion being 2D character animation). At this point, thanks to my not so responsible parents and their life choices, it looks like my financial aid and cal grants will be pretty limited if existent. I'm applying to tons of scholarships, but I'm unsure of how much those will bring.</p>

<p>My essential question is would i be better to choose the cheap CSU Fullerton or the better Laguna College of Art and Design. My personal choice would be LCAD, but I fear obtaining huge loans and being unable to pay them off. </p>

<p>Next week I plan to visit these to colleges in person and tour the campus as well as have my father and I talk with administrators about financial aid. Of course I realize the option of starting in state school and then transferring to LCAD, but I'd rather not. </p>

<p>Is art school worth the money? I have no question in my passion and already take advantage of many art contests and programs in my area, I just don't know if I can afford it.</p>

2

<p>Have you figured out the net price for each with only need-based financial aid (if you do not get any scholarships)?</p>

3

<p>LCAD is about 40,000
Fullerton is about 25,000</p>

4

<p>The next question would be, how much debt would be involved at each?</p>

5

<p>*My essential question is would i be better to choose the cheap CSU Fullerton or the better Laguna College of Art and Design. My personal choice would be LCAD, but I fear obtaining huge loans and being unable to pay them off. *</p>

<p>Art careers rarely pay much within a few years of graduation, so you need to borrow as little as possible.</p>

<p>YOU can only borrow:</p>

<p>$5500 frosh
$6500 soph
$7500 jr
$7500 Sr</p>

<p>To borrow more than those amounts would require naive cosigners that will qualify and be willing to sign each year. Most parents refuse since they’d be on the hook if you couldn’t pay…and if the loans were substantial, a newish art grad probably couldn’t pay for the loans.</p>

<p>CSUF may not cost you that much if you’re economical. Tuition is about $7k. If you’re economical with food and lodging, etc, you shouldn’t have to spend $18k on non-tuition costs.</p>

6

<p>May I call you Zesty?</p>

<p>My name is Dave Pruiksma, you may be familiar with my credits as Supervising Animator at Disney Feature Animation from 1981 to 2001, when I retired from Disney. I am writing to try to help you with your questions on a very important issue which you ask about in this thread. I also want to acknowledge you for doing your research and taking the decision so seriously. That is admirable. </p>

<p>Speaking on behalf of LCAD Animation, where I have been Co Chair with Mr. David Kuhn, another noted animator at Disney and numerous other studios, I would like to say that it is best to explore a number of schools, check out the facilities, if you can, talk to the Admissions Department representatives. Arrange a tour and meeting. Look at the work coming out of the school in your specific area of interest. Meet students and ask them about their thoughts on the education they are getting at each place you are considering. After you do this, Mr. Kuhn and I are quite sure you will see the value of getting your degree in Animation at LCAD. </p>

<p>At Laguna College of Art & Design, we have developed an approach to teaching animation based on foundational skills, performance, character, draftsmanship, design, color and much, more. We apply a layered approach in which the student get’s a strong art and creative foundation that they can build on. Classes begin in Animation with classical character animation in the traditional technique that teach skills needed in any form of animation the student may be considering. These skills are instilled early in the curriculum and are then applied to technology as the student moves forward, culminating in the creation of a Senior Film project in either CGI or traditional technique. The program is serious and challenging, requiring the passion and commitment of students. However, given the small size of the classes, there is more of a mentoring approach applied to teaching that we find to be the most suited towards learning animation as it has been taught in studios for generations. And we have a great deal of fun, too!</p>

<p>At LCAD Animation, we have instructors with long time professional animation experience to teach classes in all areas and at all levels. David Kuhn, Dave Pruiksma, Rick Hoppe, Mike Show, Duncan Marjoribanks, Lou Police, Karen Keller, Glenn Miller, Larissa Marantz, Luc Desmarchelier, and numerous others. And because of our long time connection to the film industry, we are able to get top industry visitors such as Eric Goldberg, Chris Buck, Don Hahn, Glen Keane, Andreas Deja, Will Finn, Nik Ranieri, Charles Solomon, Brenda Chapman, Kathy Zielinski, Chris Sanders, John Kricfalusi, June Foray and many more.</p>

<p>We also offer summer classes with people of the stature of Eric Goldberg and Stephen Chiodo, in which as an extra class during the summer, student work side by side with legends in the animation field, making a film that with then make the festival circuit. </p>

<p>So, Zesty, as you can see, there are many things for you to consider besides low price when you are considering the value for your money. I encourage you to speak with other schools, talk to our Admissions representatives, take a tour and sit in on one of our senior class Dailies sessions and meet with Dave Kuhn and/or myself, Chairs of the Animation program, so that we can answer your questions personally. We feel confident that when you weigh all the variables and if you have the passion and the drive for a challenging educational environment, you will see that LCAD is a wise choice. </p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>Dave Pruiksma</p>