<p>Hello everyone! I'm currently a junior from MD and my intended major is Traditional Animation. My first choice college is School of Visual Arts (SVA). I'm just wondering, how good is their animation major? What's the average size? Can you describe the surroundings near SVA? I'm also wondering if SVA has any acting classes. I've contacted the animation counselor there and they said that they do. I just want some feedback about SVA. I'll appreciate it! :D</p>
<p>KYlakyla I will try to answer your questions after each question asked. By the way, we are from MD too, and my daughter is at SVA grad program in Computer Art with a 3d animation concentration. Thus, my answers will be from that perspective.</p>
<p>how good is their animation major?
Answer: My daughter LOVES the 3d computer major. She also has seen some of the undergrad animation works and feels that much of it is of very high quality. SVA also is very well known for both its offerings in 2d and 3d animation. Just about every major studio has SVA grads working there, and they do hold interviews at SVA. However, make no mistake, to do well, you will need to work your buns off! If you are not willing to work super hard, don’t go there. Also, SVA is in Manhattan. This is very different from living in the burbs here in Maryland and might take some acclimation by you.</p>
<p>I’m also wondering if SVA has any acting classes.
Answer: I know that they have a course in “acting for film.” They also have a bunch of directing courses in their Film and Video program. I didn’t, however, see a lot of acting courses. You do, however, get a lot of life drawing classes where you need to express emotions on your cartoons.</p>
<p>Bottom Line: SVA is widely considered to have the best programs in both 2d and 3d animation in NY and probably among the best in the US. However, to justify their high tuition, you will need to work like a dog. If you aren’t committed to excellence, you shouldn’t waste your money going there. Obviously, this is based on a grad school perspective and what my daughter knows about their undergrad program. You should visit the school yourself and view the facilities, the student work etc.</p>
<p>If SVA has anywhere near the workload of CA students at Ringling, you won’t have time for acting classes even if they offer them!</p>
<p>@taxguy:Oh thank you! It’s nice to see another Marylander lol. I’m actually from Baltimore but I don’t reside there “cough"Hanover which is near Odenton"cough”. 
I am planning on visiting the school and I am willing to work hard there. It should be worth it and it should be kinda fun since it is what I want to do…besides, who would waste $40,000-$50,000 a year on not learning/doing anything? Since SVA is in Manhatten, they should have alot of connections to businesses but I also think that it takes a mature student to thrive in NYC and not be overwhelmed or at least distracted by the distractions of Manhatten. Well I did talk to the animation counselor about the acting classes and she gave me the registration book and I looked thorugh all of the classes and they do have acting classes (they have a few classes in the Film/Video department where any student in any department could take)which is nice. Thanks for telling that students would have to take life drawing classes! 
Is SVA in a nice area of Manhatten? Also how are the dorms? Is it quiet in the dorms? I heard that they were small and overpriced which pretty much defines NYC housing. As long as they’re decent then I’m fine with it. Thank you and your daughter for you guys’ perspective on SVA even if it’s about the grad’s program. It helps alot! Thank you! :)</p>
<p>@gouf78: Well I have spoke with their counselor there and they do have a few acting classes and have been told to take 15-18 credits per smester. (pretty much under 18). If SVA does have the same work as the Computer Animation students than you may be right. 
I think students can still take courses at different institutions (visiting students) during the summer.</p>
<p>kylakya asks, "Is SVA in a nice area of Manhatten?
Answer: It is in a FABULOUS area. Lots of shops, LOTS of different restaurants and grocery stores and things to do.
Also how are the dorms? Is it quiet in the dorms? I heard that they were small and overpriced which pretty much defines NYC housing
Answer:The dorms are small, overpriced and generally crappy. HOWEVER, I do recommend that you live there for your freshmen year. Why? First you will make a lot of friends and you can meet people that you want to room with off campus for the rest of your college career. Secondly, some of the dorms, such as George Washington, have a number of added benefits. First, some of the dorms have real models that you can draw on a weekly basis. This is FREE for all students. Secondly, SVA gives you a monthly rail pass as part of the dorm costs. This isn’t huge,but it is very nice to have. Third, they all have great internet and a lot of place for computer hook ups. Also , there are a number of activities going on in the dorms that you can participate in and meet people. So I do recommend them for your freshmen year.</p>
<p>Be aware that some of the dorms will require you to take a train to school. They aren’t as close to the main buildings as you might expect.</p>
<p>Thank you again for your feedback taxguy! Can you define what you mean by the dorms being crappy? Are they older buildings, have a roach problem, bad facilities,etc. Also, which dorm would you recommend for a first year student? I know that New Residence dorm houses mostly freshman students but I’m not sure if freshman students have to be housed in the New Residence dormitory. The George Washington dormitory does sound nice. Thanks for the tip, I didn’t know that you’ll have to take a train to get to some of the buildings from some of the dorms. That’s prety surprising, most schools would have free ride shuttles to take you to your classes.</p>
<p>kylakyla, crappy means old looking and small rooms. As for shuttles, SVA does have shuttles. I don’t know where you pick them up or how often they run. Again, I strongly urge you to check out the school and check out the dorms since my daughter never stayed in any dorms. She did see the dorms but decided as a grad student to live in an off campus apartment.</p>
<p>Do you have any suggestions for a transfer student? Would she be better in a dorm or off-campus apartment? I have been assuming that off-campus apartments would be outrageously priced to a midwesterner. She pays $600 for a one bedroom apartment here.</p>
<p>@taxguy: I will. I think it might add character to a dorm but yes, I will visit the school and have a campus tour. Thank you again! :)</p>
<p>Hi taxguy,
this is really helpful, thanks! I might be going to sva this fall, and had some questions too if you don’t mind… what did your daughter think about the honors program? like how are the teachers, how it is in general? </p>
<p>Also, how is the social life? i’m hoping that since new res is all freshmen, it’s easy to make friends and that people are generally friendly there? </p>
<p>and last 2 questions! does she know if students can take classes at nyu or some other college near it for credits? I’ve kind of always wanted to continue french but sva doesn’t have languages ): and for athletics - it’s pretty much nonexistant huh. I did track all throughout high school and don’t want to get toooo out of shape, so do they have any sports/running clubs or anything like that? </p>
<p>Thank you so much! :)</p>
<p>I will address your questions, XXXcarolyn, in the order presented:
Question, “what did your daughter think about the honors program? like how are the teachers, how it is in general”</p>
<p>Response: My daughter does not have any experience with the honors program because she is a grad student at SVA. However, the teachers in general that she has had have been FANTASTIC. For example, two of them are art directors at Blue Sky. One wrote the book on Matte Painting that is used at many other universities. Overall, she has had very few complaints about any of the professors. However, this is from a grad student perspective. I don’t know about the undergrad professors,but I imagine that they are probably very good too.</p>
<p>Question: how is the social life?
Answer: If your daughter stays in the dorm freshmen year, she should meet many people.In addition,she should meet many people in class. My daughter has met a number of people from class that she is very friendly with. However, a lot depends on the student. If you have an outgoing friendly child, they will meet people. If your child is an introvert who doesn’t try to meet people or doesn’t have decent people skills, it could be a lot harder to have a social life. This is particularly true living in Manhattan. It is all up to the student.</p>
<p>Question: does she know if students can take classes at nyu or some other college near it for credits?
Answer: I don’t know the answer. You need to call admission at SVU.</p>
<p>Finally as for athletics, there is very little athletics at the school, and the school has no gym to my knowledge. HOWEVER, there is a VERY good athletic club nearby that is reasonable that your daughter can join. It even has a nice pool. Surprisingly, a number of SVA kids join this club. However, they don’t usually join it just for the pool or exercise equipment. The curriculum, at least for grad students, require a lot of work and all-nighters. The club can be used to take showers and freshen up.
Be advised: Most decent art and design schools require a LOT of work in order to do well. This seems certainly true at SVA. It is much, much more intensive than high school and even more intensive than that required by other college majors in order to develop the skills necessary for the workplace. Your child will need to understand this. Just doing enough work to slide by even requires a lot of work.</p>
<p>By the way, my daughter attended a very well-known design program for her undergraduate studies that was very intensive. However, as intensive as that program was, she will tell you that SVA is even more intensive and requires even more work. I don’t know if this is a function of being in grad school or is endemic to the school culture.</p>
<p>Hey! I’m a traditional Animation Major in SVA lol, our major is pretty small, we’re one of the smallest in the school (after interior design and VCS). About 100 kids give or take. It’s A LOT of work, 1st-3rd years we create 1-2 minute films at the end of every semester, and 4th year is our thesis year so we create a small film that serves as a representation of what we’re able to create towards animation studios and whatnot. Let me know what other questions you may have! (Sorry i didnt read your other posts on this thread lol)</p>
<p>@ilikepurplexD: Oh thank you! How are you liking the animation major? I have a question for the portfolio. Do I have to put 2D drawings such as life drawings, people/animal drawings, figure drawing, etc? It’s fine that you didn’t read any of my other posts. I just asked if (1.)there were any acting classes in SVA (or if I could take classes at another institution like Baruch College)?(2.)How good is their animation major?(3.) What’s the average size?(4.) Can you describe the surroundings near SVA? I was also wondering, how many internships could a student take? Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, I really appreciate it! :D</p>
<p>@kylakyla sorry for the late response!</p>
<p>-The animation program is amazing! The teachers actually give a hoot about helping you out, and many of the professors (well the ones ive had) teach you through that ‘tough love’ sort of method. There are several foundation year professors to chose from, depending on how you’re best able to learn.
- SVA tends to favor portfolios that have a lot of still life/ drawings because they like to see that you’re able to draw from observation. They also like creativity, of course. Try to stay away from anime, they seem to dislike it in portfolios.
- Animation majors were required to take acting classes, but they got rid of it this year and replaced it with digital composition. I believe you can take it as an elective, but speaking from my experience and my friends’ experiences, the acting professors are terrible, since they do not understand artists at all.
-You’re allowed to take 6 credits maximum at another institution/college - Lol i dont know if im repeating myself, but the animation program is great. If youre looking to work your butt off, this is the right place. However, you’re not going to learn much if you dont practice, practice, practice!
-The surroundings around SVA are urban. Since its in the heart of Manhattan pretty much, there is no campus so NYC is your campus. There are a ton of places to eat around there and public transportation will be your friend. There are shuttle busses to take you from the east side to the west side to different buildings, but they are unreliable. - Internship offers are posted around the school, and we also have big studios such as pixar who come to SVA to recruit people for internships at the end of the year!</p>
<p>I really hope this helped and best of luck on applying :D</p>
<p>Thank you again ilikepurplexD! It’s fine that it is a late response. :D</p>