<p>Hi Smother and others:
I’m happy to share what I know about the Digital Arts major at Dodge based on DS’s freshman experience this year. Sorry to hear about your D’s news from USC. I wasnt quite following it based on the conversation here, but saw elsewhere that she was accepted to USC generally, but not into SCA for her chosen major (DA). It must have been very tough for her to get that one-two punch. But she is accepted to Chapman’s increasingly competitive DA/animation major and that’s wonderful! It has many things to recommend it. USC SCA is no doubt amazing, but our son is glad to be in the Dodge program, for very specific reasons. He was accepted to USC’s Digital Arts, by the way, but followed his heart (and the merit scholarship!) to Dodge in fall, 2012. </p>
<p>I don’t have time to list all the reasons he prefers Dodge, but I’ll mention a few and perhaps add more a bit later. (Please feel free to PM me, also.) </p>
<p>1) At Dodge, the kids dive into their major in week one. As a freshman, DS has already begun animating, story-boarding, collaborating and making films (with other students and a couple of shorts on his own). At USC, the first two years are largely GE coursework and there’s less opportunity to dive into the DA work until much later. When son spent the day with DA students at the USC admitted students event last year, only the senior student had work product to show. This troubled my son, because–like your D–he’d already been animating through four years of high school. At Dodge, in contrast, all the DA and film kids are working in their areas from day one. My son has been fully immersed and doing the work he loves since the start of freshman year. </p>
<p>2) Dodge has an intensive, hands-on program with very engaged faculty. The personal attention, intimacy and energy in the DA program is just great. In addition to being on a first-name basis with great professors (who have strong, active industry connections), DS is involved in the Digital Arts Club–and that opens up even more opportunities for meeting people and making connections. </p>
<p>3) Industry connections. USC is of course known for this. But we’ve seen this year that Dodge has great connections, too. And the DA dept shows great commitment to getting their students exposed and ‘out there.’ For example, at Dodge, DS (who is only a freshman, mind you) has met and talked with Andrew Stanton (Pixar genius and Oscar winning animator/director behind Wall-E, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life) and Rob Minkoff (director of Lion King). Mr Minkoff even drew a picture of Roger Rabbit and gave it to DS, LOL. Last week, son went out to dinner with: Rich Moore and Jim Reardon (legendary story-tellers and award-winning animators known for Wreck-it Ralph, Wall-E, the Simpsons). Yes, he <em>had dinner</em> with them, along with another DA student and Bill Kroyer (his Dodge DA professor, known for Fern Gully and Tron). Dodge has the industry connections. We are delighted, as is DS. The kids get internships at the major studios in LA. Dodge interns are becoming known as some of the best around. And, as a poster in the digital arts/media industry alluded to on your USC thread, Dodge interns are popular and becoming sought after. I think this has to do with the experience base they have as a result of starting their major studies early. </p>
<p>DS’s only complaint, so far–if you can call it that–is that he thinks they could “drive the kids harder” in the year-long foundational life drawing coursework. He thinks they should draw for hours and hours and hours (like the CalArts kids). He probably has a point and I believe the program has been actively strengthening its foundation coursework in recent years. USC is <em>not</em> stronger than Dodge in this regard–at least that’s DS’s impression from talking to USC DA majors. </p>
<p>The DA major has become very competitive at Dodge and it’s great that your D has it as an option. Bill Kroyer has been quoted to say that his goal is to build the “best DA program in the world.” They are very attuned to industry needs and work hard to align the coursework and program to those high standards and changing demands. Well… I’m out of lunch hour now, but could say more great things about the DA major at Dodge. Son doesn’t regret saying ‘no’ to USC (though its a great school–goes without saying). But the fit, energy and immediate immersion he’s had at Dodge is much more to his liking. </p>
<p>I may start a thread just for DA majors here so that the information is easier to find. Last year, there was very little specific information about the various programs available and I think it could be quite helpful for future prospective students. </p>
<p>Best of luck to your D, smothers. :)</p>
I think I’d feel safer with her riding a cruiser bike to the Orange Circle. Plus Disneyland is close and she can use her annual pass. She has her Panther for a day set up, and I’m going with her to preview day. Anyway hopefully everyone will be happy with their decision in the end.</p>
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