<p>Hi, I'm an architecture student at the University of Washington, and I need help in deciding my future education.
My situation is that I've realized I wanted to do animation, so I'm planning to pursue the program after I get the degree in architecture, which is next year (1 year left). The problem is that I'm not sure whether I should start over with BFA, or jump straight ahead for MFA, or going just for the Diploma. I can financially support any of these three choices, and I prefer to study at art schools where they specialize in teaching animation. </p>
<p>I'd like to hear some thoughts on this and how I should plan it out. My goal is to make the best of my education in animation and hoping to pursue it as my career. I'd appreciate for you help. Thank you.</p>
<p>One way or another you will probably need to take undergraduate level courses unless you have an amazing animation portfolio you developed on your own. You can try applying to MFA programs in which case one of two things will happen: 1. your application is rejected (very likely if you have no animation portfolio), or 2. you are accepted to the school as a provisional student, which means you are assigned a pre-requisite number of undergrad courses after which time your portfolio will be re-evaluated and you may or may not be accepted into the grad program.</p>
<p>Look up requirements for admission to the top animation schools. Ringling for example has a very set course for its animation students—I highly doubt you’ll be able to complete a degree in animation any sooner just because you have a degree already. Not to mention the competition to get into the program. Life drawing is most important for an animation portfolio.</p>
<p>You should really ask yourself if you are interested primarily in 2d animation or 3d animation/motion. Most schools have differing emphasis and differing porfolio requirements.</p>
<p>If you are interested in 2d, USC, UCLA, are well known. If you are interested in 3d, Ringling , Pratt, and SVA are very well known in those areas.</p>
<p>Some schools are good in both areas such as RIT, SVA(particularly undergrad), etc. Thus, you should investigate which area of animation is of primary interest to you.</p>