Hi everyone! SO this is my first time posting on college confidential after months just lurking on the site. I’m an international student who’s planning on studying Animation/Game Design/VFX, and I’m really really interested in University of Southern California’s HENCHDADA !!!
Unfortunately, the cost of attendance is wayyy too steep (Honestly, we could sell our house and car, and it still couldn’t pay my way through…3rd world living is tough), so the only way I could even dream of attending is through a scholarship! My counselor however told me that their scholarships are available only to US citizens…which I am not…and I was wondering if any of you knew otherwise?
On another note, what are the best schools to learn animation from? Preferably in a warmer climate. And on top of that, is Columbia University in NYC a good school for animation?
Columbia is just as expensive, if not more, than USC. It doesn’t have a particularly warm climate. It definitely doesn’t come to mind for animation. (USC, however, is very well known for animation).
I don’t know how aware of this you are, but college admission in the US is largely determined by where you can get into, not just where you want to go and what you can afford. In order to attend schools like USC and Columbia, you’ll need to have an excellent GPA and high scores on the SAT or ACT, as well as some impressive extracurriculars. Can you tell us a little more about your stats?
Your counselor is wrong. Plenty of scholarships are available to international students - there are even scholarships designed specifically for international students. Your counselor might be thinking of student loans (which I’m pretty sure are still available to international students who meet specific requirements).
For many colleges, you can find information about financial aid to international students in the school’s Common Data Set file, section H6. Unfortunately, it appears that neither USC nor Columbia releases a CDS. If you cannot find this information on their sites, try emailing their admissions/aid offices.
Most of the Ivies and other highly selective private schools do offer financial aid to internationals. According to Brown University’s CDS, for 2014-15 it awarded need-based or non-need-based aid to 218 international students. I believe this number represents all undergrads, not just freshmen. The average amount was $44,925.
I believe your counselor is correct and that USC doesn’t provide need based aid for international students. It tells you right on the website google ‘school_name international student financial aid’.Merit aid is available but would be very difficult to get and very competitive.
Columbia, on the other hand, will provide need based aid (no merit.) Columbia is based on a liberal arts model,plus an engineering college. They do have arts, CS and film offerings and you can browse the course catalogue to see.
How much are your parents able to pay each year, and what level are your academic credentials? Do you have an arts or animation portfolio or any experience in that area?
Thanks so much for replying everyone! I took the SAT once so far (I’m a HS junior still) and got a 1960 so I’m looking for a 2200 with more preparation for math next time! I haven’t checked my gpa that recently but it was about 3.8 (on the 4.0 scale) last time I checked around September?
I’ve been doing art since 7th grade, and currently I’m doing the IB programme with Higher Level Art, so I have a pretty extensive portfolio for now. For my Technology class I have an animated commercial I should have ready on time for applications in Fall, and I’ve gotten into SCAD’s summer programme with scholarships. Additionally, I’m top in my class for art, and as for extracurricular activities I have 6 (ranging from sports to creative clubs and service clubs) , and I’m involved in student leadership things too (like Student Council, prefect etc). I also help out a lot of teachers with odd jobs like designing posters, filming videos etc.
My parents wouldn’t be able to pay a lot at all (they’re depending on me to get a really good 3/4 or more scholarship), so…yeah…not sure of the exact amount sorry! I’m trying to not be so reliant on need-based either, since I’m working so I can get a merit if need be!
@lalaemma That site is my life haha, I used that to check which school I should try for!
The down side is I’m an art student with a mind for other subjects and diversity, so I’d rather go to a traditional university with a good arts programme than a straight arts school. So if anyone here knows people that go to such schools known for animation, fire away! At this point I’m not even concerned about the weather and ideal location anymore, I’d be willing to change how I get there so long as I find a path that lets me get where I want to be.
I wonder if someone was referring to Columbia College Chicago - a completely different institution. It has open (or near-open admissions), is somewhat less expensive than USC, and is dedicated to Arts & Media (including game design, if I’m not mistaken).
@woogzmama yeah most likely I think, CCC is really good for animation though! So although I’m not too keen on art central schools it’s a possibility yeah
@lvvcsf thanks so much for the rec! I’ll definitely check it out yeah :~)
Do look at CCC. They’re an interesting place, and certainly a good safety school for artistically-inclined students. They are in a great location, with lots of internship opportunities, and they have a satellite program in LA. They have some of the best filmmaking facilities I’ve seen, along with great student housing.
If you can get your SAT score up, look at U Penn. They have good animation and provide aid for international students. Though keep in mind it would still be a reach even if you had perfect scores.
Others that meet those criteria and are less competitive are NYU, Rochester Institute of Technology, Loyola Marymount, and Syracuse.
Try drilling down through a ranking of Computer Science departments, such as this one: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings
Note that this is a graduate program ranking … but it may help you find strong departments that have at least a few courses in animation or related areas. Also be aware that many state universities offer no financial aid to international students. Check the Common Data Set, section H6, for stats on aid to internationals.
It is very difficult to get that amount of merit money. Are you sure you don’t qualify for need based aid. Even at USC I think there are only 2 main merit awards for Internationals, Academic merit at half tuition and Dean’s at one quarter tuition, neither including room and board and other expenses. But if you are good enough to get into programs at SCAD with scholarship then you can give a try.
Brown doesn’t give merit aid but they have visual arts and a great comp sci dept with a professor who was influential with early Pixar folk, Andy Van Dam (his comp sci book is place on a shelf in Toy Story.) But I mention it because of the relationship with RISD. You can take some classes at RISD while you are at Brown and same for RISD students, they are allowed to take some classes at Brown(they are walking distance.) They also have a 5 year Brown-RISD dual degree program where you get a degree from each school. You alternate years and dorms too. But it is insanely selective and you must apply and be admitted to each school separately before you are accepted to the Dual program. But just something to know about, and that way you can study any degree program at Brown of your choosing. Check this interesting 2 minute video from one student, some her artwork is shown at the end. http://browncreativemind.com/conversations/lizzie-kripkie-brownrisd-dual-degree/
The rankings are probably not very accurate, but at least we can identify which schools offer animation.
Schools that rank relatively well in this ranking and which I know are very highly regarded for art and design degrees, like The New School-Parsons, Pratt Institue and Columbia College Chicago are probably going to offer you good scholarships with those SAT scores, so make sure you apply to them and show interest.