<p>amaised:</p>
<p>I was just looking at your MySpace. No wonder you got in, dude! Congrats, and c-ya in L.A.</p>
<p>P.S. Huzzah for Virgos! ;)</p>
<p>aat: </p>
<p>I decided to go to UCLA for a few reasons. One, it's reputation is fantastic, and their graduates do some really amazing work. Two, I went for a tour there and I just felt very comfortable with the school, the surrounding area, and especially the professors. Doug Ward took an hour and a half out of his day to show me around the animation studio, talking about their teaching philosophy etc. I just felt like I would do well there.</p>
<p>The only other schools I ended up getting into were San Francisco State University (which doesn't actualy have an animation program) and Rochester Institute of Technology. While Rochester is I guess a good school, it A) didn't have the location, B) didn't have the weather, and C) and most importantly, their students didnt' seem to be as well prepared and professional as the UCLA students did. Oh, and they never bothered to return my calls.</p>
<p>My original #1 school was CalArts, but UCLA was an extremely close 2nd. In a way, I'm kind of glad to have gotten into UCLA simply because it is so close to the city and all the "action" as it were. I'm not from California (I live in CT, about 2 hrs from NYC), but I know a booming town when I see one. lo. As for your decision, I honestly didn't know USC even had an animation program until someone on this site mentioned it. So it comes down to what the most important thing you want out of your education, and go for the school that will most likely help you achieve your goals.</p>
<p>Good luck, and hope to see you in L.A.!</p>
<p>AnimeFreak, what have been your results so far? Did you get a response from UCLA?</p>
<p>Hey Flik...</p>
<p>Im still waiting on USC :( I can get in USC's SIG/OASIS (student gateway sites) but I have no new info. There are 10 people on the waitlist including 3DACrazy and myself. I've heard that CNTV may make a decision by May 15th. We shall see. Otherwise, I got accepted at Otis College. USC is still my #1 choice. I hope I get in!!</p>
<p>BTW...I didnt apply to UCLA this time. I visited and applied to so many schools. I felt UCLA didnt fit into my interests. BUT I may apply next year once Im in LA at Otis.</p>
<p>I guess I am part of the reason you are still on the waitlist. I'm sorry. :(</p>
<p>I got the acceptance for USC back in the first week of March and didn't hear from UCLA until mid-April.</p>
<p>Both schools seem awesome. My gut prefers USC but my finances prefer UCLA. The student work at both schools is amazing. The student trend at USC tends to prefer 3-D computer and UCLA tended to prefer 2-D. But then you have UCLA people like Shane Acker as well. I could accomplish what I want at both schools and connected well with current students and faculty at both places. Definitely the facilities at USC are nicer. I like having an individual workspace versus shared common area. It's easier for me to work that way/concentrate. And I have a friend who teaches classes at USC. The students at USC seemed more enthusiastic than the ones at UCLA. But it stresses me out to imagine taking out all the extra loans... </p>
<p>It's funny. Half the people I talk to (randomly, or at both schools) didn't know UCLA had an animation program, and half the other people didn't know USC did. Go figure!</p>
<p>The financial aid packages at both schools suck (at least for me). Loans and workstudy only.</p>
<p>An additional tidbit about UCLA for those of you going there, they said that if you complete your first year traditional animation film on time, they refund you the professional school fees (about $5000) towards tuition on your second year. Going into your third year, they're able to refund approximately $2000.</p>
<p>Anyway, regardless of where we end up we should keep in touch if we'll all be out in L.A.</p>
<p>(And I promise to decide soon. Apologies again about the delay for those of you still waiting to hear. My brain is fried over thinking about it.)</p>
<p>No worries, aat. We all will be in LA and working in the field we love soon. We should all meet at Starbucks in Bev Hills/near UCLA and have a toast!</p>
<p>i'm on CNTV MFA Animation waitlist...and also waiting a decision from UCLA too... but thats only because i wasn't their first choice. You have the right to take time and decide. As for me, I'll end up where i belong. :)</p>
<p>But now It seriosuly seems that my CS background is working against me in full swing....!</p>
<p>btw is everyone here has a traditional fine-arts background?</p>
<p>Rejected from UCLA :( ahhhhhhh!</p>
<p>3DACrazy...soooo sorry, dear. Maybe you will have better luck with USC:)</p>
<p>To answer your earlier question...
Yes I have BA in Art emphasis in Graphic Design</p>
<p>I've been accepted to (back in March) and plan on attending USC's MFA animation program. However, I was rejected from CalArts. Still no word from UCLA. I have a background in fine arts/painting. There are so many talented and hardworking people out there. Getting into grad school in and of itself is a full time job. While hard work and dedication shine through an application, the process itself is still so subjective. The admissions committee at USC has identified with my application, whereas other schools have passed me over. Though, rejection is never easy to swallow, I've tried my best to learn from and improve myself. Thus, increasing my chances. I've never met a successful person who hasn't had their share of rejections.</p>
<p>3dcrazy,</p>
<p>I think you're going to end up at USC. Especially if you are 3Dcrazy! </p>
<p>One thing I will say, 2 of my friends told me stories about their friends who were initially rejected from programs and ended up getting in anyway during the summer because of their willful persistence (and/or pestering) of the schools. If you really really really want to be at a school and don't take "no" for an answer, it sometimes works. They can appreciate enthusiasm since the narrowing down process for them is difficult as well.</p>
<p>And I know rejection. I come from a fine art background and had much better luck getting into school for film/animation than for art (I tried for both avenues and didn't get into a school I was excited about for art). In the end, it really does seem to work out for the best.</p>
<p>And...you can always just move to L.A. and establish residency, take classes at the Animation Institute or Glendale Community College (both excellent), go to UCLA on the cheap the next year.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Sigh!! I wanna be a Trojan...fight on!!</p>
<p>USC is very expensive. Had I been a CA resident, I probably would've gone to UCLA since they are both very well received schools. But, that's easier said then actually choosing between both programs. They both have their advantages and disadvantages.</p>
<p>Thanks aat, and i hope i do! :)</p>
<p>Well i presume USC knows that i really really really want to join 'em... as i said earlier that i did a bit of follow-up thing too. but the problem here is that i'm an international student and the visa process here is quite a fuss. everything SHOULD happen on time otherwise things become pretty difficult!!!
Like in this case, i say they should let the waitlist people know tilll mid of May or atmost last week of may...even if they r rejected species ...ITS FINE! atleast this way ... i can concentrate on other options without having to think abt un-sure things. I dont know about the USC policy but most of the other gradyuate schools (as i've heard) give the deadline of May 1st to decide. I hope i know something in MAY atleast!</p>
<p>So aat, when are you suppose to tell USC that you are coming...whats the deadline?</p>
<p>On Monday, I got word that I was accepted as an Alternate to UCLA; however, I took my name off the waitlist. Wow, that really took a long time.....</p>
<p>Artda: An alternate? What is the difference between that ans being on the waitlist? Does that status allow you to register into UCLA or what?</p>
<p>BTW...Im still waiting on USC...sigh!</p>
<p>Artda: u mean ...you have denied your addmission offer to USC?</p>
<p>I think "Alternate" is the same as waitlist. It was just UCLA's way of phrasing it.
And, I told UCLA they could take me off their list since I am planning on attending USC.</p>
<p>oh, ok!</p>
<p>my absentmindedness... :D</p>
<p>UCLA student animation night screening is 6/10/06</p>
<h1>to call for reservations is (310)825-5829</h1>
<p>:)
Maybe you'll all be there.
BTW, I decided on USC -- I had to trust my intuition...</p>
<p>Congrats on your decision, aat. I'll probably get my notice this week or next. Either way I will be in LA this fall attending USC or Otis.</p>