NYU Considering Transfer

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>I'm reposting this from the college admissions board because I was told it was better suited for this one:
I'm an NYU film/tv freshman, and though I never imagined a year ago that I could actually be saying this, i'm seriously considering transferring out.</p>

<p>I want to preface this by saying that i'm aware of the warnings about deciding to transfer too early, and that I'm not saying this because i'm homesick or miss having friends. In the past two months I've learned to deal with homesickness. I'm also not doing badly on friends, even if I don't really enjoy much of what the typical NYU student likes to do on the weekend.</p>

<p>I'm seriously considering transfer because when applying to schools last year, I couldn't decide if I wanted to go into strictly animation/design or a combination of that and film production, and my experiences this first semester have made it clear to me that I chose wrong, when the choice came down to it. NYU is renowned for its fantastic film program, and I can't argue with that at all. It's amazing and it encompasses pretty much every field imaginable.</p>

<p>However, I've come to realize that I'm missing out on any visual arts education, and while the animation program is good, I feel that I'm doing myself wrong by not fostering my visual arts skills. I've come to realize that I really wanted animation and concept design for film, which is not a field NYU gives me any room to explore at all. This school really isn't for me, and while I'll stick it out for the rest of the year to give it more time, I am fairly sure that I want to transfer for the fall.</p>

<p>MY QUESTION IS:</p>

<p>Which art schools would you consider worth transferring into? I looked extensively into RISD, Syracuse, Carnegie Mellon and MICA (though I've heard MICA isn't really great for animation) but there's room for one or two more. Where else do you think I could get a great animation/visual development/illustration education?
Also, do you have any advice in general? I feel kind of lost, and somewhat guilty for wanting to transfer after spending four entire years dreaming of being where I am now...</p>

<p>Thank you so much for reading, I welcome any thoughts or replies.</p>

2

<p>I can’t answer your questions about transfers or degree-conferring art schools, but while you are in New York, you could take courses at the Art Student League in drawing, painting and sculpture to help give you the visual arts development.</p>

3

<p>NimGreene, if you are considering a transfer, look into the Ringling College of Art + Design in Sarasota FL. It is widely regarded as one of the very best colleges for computer animation, and the illustration and digital film programs are very strong as well. My caveat is to start working on your application if you are interested at all, because the CA deadline is early in January, no exceptions!</p>

<p>Woodwinds has great advice regarding taking classes at ASL if you can manage it. Maybe it will satisfy your desire for art or help you figure out where you want to go (or stay)!</p>

<p>If you are intent on transferring, my advice is to get your liberal arts aka general eds out of the way next semester, or at least a few of them. Check with the potential schools, but many will accept LA credits as opposed to classes in the major. Basic foundation classes might transfer, but don’t be surprised if you have to start over as a freshman in regard to classes in your major, which are designed to build upon one another. As for guilt, forget it! Better to make a change now while it is so still early in the game.</p>

<p>There are a few of us here on the board that have experience with Ringling, and I know some of the other schools you mentioned are represented by parents as well. Good luck with your decision, whether it is to stay or go!</p>