<p>I'm a rising junior in college and I really want to do this animation summer program at UCLA (which is on the other side of the country for me). I plan to move to LA my senior year anyway, but if I do this summer coursework I will not only receive college credit but also graduate an entire semester early so I can work a bit after I graduate. The whole program cost 7,000, which is as much as a semester at my school but I'd get 3 credits less. which sucks. also anyone can join the program, so I'm scared it will be filled with sketchy old guys and non college students. i already put down the deposit and the housing is due so soon, i'm scared to put down the money cause it seems like a great opportunity but also a huge financial burden. I want to pull my hair out and my parents are so unsupportive they keep saying i'm ruining my life with this one. </p>
<p>how is furthering your education ruining your life? these classes are not offered at my school and where else will I get this education? I don't know what to say and I'm panicking, crying as I write this. </p>
<p>The worst part is i went through a hellish, 3-week process at school just to get the credits accepted. my counselors pulled strings for me and were extremely helpful and supportive of my goals. I'd be so mortified if i told them I'm pulling out of the program, even though the 150 dollar nonrefundable deposit. </p>
<p>so has anyone actually done this program? is it sketchy? help! I'd love to go to cal arts instead for their summer session because I know they are a better school for animation but I don't know if I have time to go through another 3-week circus with my counseling center nor do i know if their credits will transfer. i just really want to know if this program is legit.</p>
<p>I don’t have any experience with this program, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t be legitimate. If it’s an actual UCLA program that grants units, it should be worthwhile and educational. Sorry I don’t have much to offer here, but I hope you feel better. </p>
<p>Both of my daughters went through the UCLA Summer Institute (for art) and they both benefitted from attending. This course is fairly new I believe and it looks terrific but also very challenging. You would be jumping into the deep end of the pool so you would have to be prepared to work continuously for the entire time. The benefits would be many: very high end instruction from world-class instructors, 12 UCLA units, major expansion of your knowledge and talent in this area, and a terrific resume builder for your college apps.</p>
<p>Minimum age is 18 but then they go on to say they have housing for 16 year olds. If you are 17 then you might need a waiver from the Summer Institute admin staff but best to check with them. No need to worry that this program is filled with sketchy old dudes, classes like this tend to attract very talented serious students as this is NOT a class for the casual hobbyist.</p>
<p>I would recommend that you have a meeting with your parents to discuss the expenses for this but in my opinion this course is worth every penny.</p>