The portfolio is very important.
You should take your portfolio to national portfolio day to get it critiqued. For animation, you really need to include figure drawing so take a figure drawing class this summer or this fall. Otis will be at nPD, and will give good feedback. Bring more pieces than you think that you need.
For Ucla and Otis, your portfolio will be extremely important. For USC and LMU, your portfolio will be important. For CSUs, you do not include a portfolio; they only go on stats: gpa and sat/act. CSULB does not have a port req; my DS applied and was accepted to CSULB with out a portfolio.
A parent has posted a link to ascid?? port website where u post 5 pieces and selected arts colleges and they critique it as well. Do a search on this sub forum and you will find the website info.