Obtaining a second BA

Paying for College
1

<p>Hello everyone! I am a senior in college and plan on graduating this coming spring. I've always had a passion for art and decided to pursue a degree in computer animation, but the issue is that there is virtually NO financial aid for students that already have one BA and want to seek another. I've looked endlessly for schools that offer graduate alternatives to animation, but the search has proven unsuccessful. The reason for that is mainly because the undergrad degree for animation is enough to enter the field after graduation so there really is no need to have another...so therein lies my dilemma.</p>

<p>This is something I am very passionate about and I want to pursue it as soon as I can, but I am a college student (and not a rich one), so without financial aid...it's virtually impossible to attend any art school ($50k+ a year and all).</p>

<p>So my question for you all is: Is there really no hope for me or others in similar situations? I know that federal student loans are possible, but those are usually my last resort and even then...not enough to even make a dent in the tuition costs. I always want to think that there is someone out there that has been in my situation and has found a way that I am not thinking of to make it work...Gosh, I hope you are out there! </p>

<p>Any advice would be helpful!</p>

<p>Thanks, guys! :)</p>

2

<p>Are there any certificate programs (at like a community college) that offer computer animation?</p>

<p>Your right about aid. Its limited.</p>

3

<p>What will you be receiving your degree in?
If you are just now as a senior thinking about changing your major, I would question why now?
Are you perhaps nervous about " the real world?".
It isn’t really that bad.
;)</p>

4

<p>Most institutions feel that they have met their financial obligation to students in granting Bachelor’s degrees to students who have been receiving financial aid.</p>

<p>FYI: Administrators in California’s public universities have been advised to get their students out as efficiently as possible. Students who take additional coursework unrelated to their GE or major are required to pay at full pay rates for those “extra” courses. The state is out of money.</p>

<p>If there are no graduate level studies in your related major, then you may be stuck.</p>

<p>You’re a senior and only now have discovered that you need another degree? This doesn’t make sense. Either take out the expensive loans to redo another degree, or get to work. No one is going to pay you for a second Bachelor’s degree.</p>

5

<p>Thank you for your reply! And I haven’t checked community colleges but I haven’t seen any listing on my other searches for school either :frowning: Computer animation is a very intensive program and usually is only devoted to art schools specifically (for example: RISD, Ringling, SCAD, etc).</p>

<p>@emeraldkity4 No I am not in fear of the real world, I simply want more than one degree :)</p>

<p>@aunt bea. Your response is…somewhat brutally honest, but I understand. And FYI, I didn’t ‘discover’ I needed another degree now, both degrees that I WANT are equally intensive in coursework and do not overlap, nor are they both offered at one school (except RISD that is)…so because I did not enroll in RISD when I first applied to college, I am forced to take the courses at different schools…not that it’s that big of a change because–again–the coursework did not overlap.</p>

6

<p>What is your current major?</p>

7

<p>Well Im sure you’ve realized " you can’t always get what you want".
Specially when you want someone to give you money to pay for it!
:wink:
If this has been a long standing interest, why on earth didn’t it occur to you to incorporate it earlier?
What exactly are you aiming to do with two distinct bachelor degrees?</p>

<p>Id look for a community college program. Much cheaper than art school.</p>

<p>What state are you in?
I am finding a ton of animation programs in community colleges, especially California.</p>

<p>Was there a reason why you didn’t apply to RISD initially?
Have you considered their graduate school?</p>

8

<p>i think what a lot of people might find is that you’re not going to be able to major and get a degree in everything you care about. Eventually you have to pick; it is sad though that you only started thinking about this in your senior year of college :(</p>

9

<p>Some dreams have to be deferred. One viable alternative is to work for 5 or so years in the field where you do have a degree, live extremely frugally (back home if the parents are willing), and save like crazy so you can pursue your second degree on your own dime. An alternative is to take a clerical position in a firm that does computer animation, observe, learn, practice, volunteer to take on tasks beyond your job description, take relevant classes at night at the local community college, and otherwise convince management that you have so much potential that they should either give you a shot at computer animation work or help pay for your degree. Good luck.</p>

10

<p>Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply!</p>

<p>Yes, I have realized that money is a very discouraging factor in the pursuit of dreams. But it still stands that I have more than one talent, more than one passion, and just because ‘it’s difficult’ to pursue them both, doesn’t mean that I won’t try as hard as I can. I mean come on, there is no way that I am the only (not wealthy) person that has run into this problem.</p>

<p>And I have always known that I wanted to pursue both degrees, but RISD was off the table for the same reason (money). The university I am attending now is basically free because of Financial Aid/Scholarships–thank goodness–which is why I am determined to figure out the best approach to getting a second degree because I know that debt can become a huge setback and I want to avoid making any major mistakes beforehand. I could get financial aid in any other situation, but I just can’t because its specifically a Bachelors that the major is offered as and there is no FINAID offered for that.</p>

<p>@MommaJ- Yes, I have also considered the option of waiting it out in the first degree field and hoping for a chance to show my skills in the other somehow…which isn’t bad, but even if I do end up getting to do something related to the later field…if I were to ever be laid off and desire a position with the later, not having a foundation degree will set me back severely (in most cases).</p>

<p>It’s not a crime to love more than one thing or want two degrees. Nor is it a crime to not want to wait a good portion of my life before pursuing them.The only crime is the governmental limitations placed on people that choose to do so with a second Bachelors. I mean, it’s two degrees…not 5 or 7, and it’s not like I haven’t searched for options (aka why I started this thread to see what I am still overlooking). I’m willing to put in the time, the effort, and whatever I need to because they are BOTH what I want under my belt. I’m not rich, but I am determined. There IS a way and believe me, I will find it.</p>

<p>Thank you all for your honesty and I have gotten some good options from a lot of you!</p>

<p>@EmerladKity4 Yes, I have seen a lot of programs offered in CA also, but I live on the East Coast and I was looking to stay in the same general part of the country…but honestly, CA has very good art schools and I will consider them still. And plus, with all of this drama…it may be my best option. Thank you for looking, I am truly grateful!</p>

11

<p>Haven’t read that anyone says wanting more than one degree in a short period of time is a crime. On the other hand, I see no reason us taxpayers should have to foot the bill for a second bachelor’s degree and the federal govt seems to agree. </p>

<p>Good luck in your quest. Please let us know if you find some way to make it work so others can benefit as well.</p>