You can't fix stupid

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am an idiot so I will rant about my issues here, sorry guys.</p>

<p>So… I plan on studying 3D computer animation and I'm currently enrolled in Louisiana State University for Digital Arts. It's the ~<em>~flagship~</em> uni of the state, but the thing is... LSU is mainly based on engineering while the art department is kind of looked over most of the time. I even went to visit the campus, and, even though I enjoyed it, the Digital Arts program looked a little pathetic. The whole building was riddled with paint-covered hipsters laying in the grass and laughing to themselves for christsakes. I know a girl who was a recent Fine Arts grad at LSU and she hasn't even heard of Digital Art. What the-</p>

<p>At first, I didn't think much of it and I'd just go by the saying of "College is what you make of it", but I'm really starting to question it's credibility. LSU is a great school, but I don't think it's a very good school for people who are serious about art and absolutely need connections to get into the entertainment "biz". My dream is to do 3D animation for films, and, while I like Louisiana, I don't really think it's, uh, "THE" place. </p>

<p>Ahem, anyways, it's late as balls to change my mind, but, after talking with my father he said that if I really wanted to go out of state, I can try to apply for the schools with rolling admission. I applied at SVA in Manhattan, LCAD in Laguna, and felt my soul escape when I found out that Ringling stopped accepting in January. </p>

<p>Now, I don't EXPECT to be accepted, most likely not, especially since I'm balls-late, but I don't know. I just feel doomed either way. If I don't get accepted, I'll be aboard the SS LSU PARTY SHIP, and If I get accepted into one of the art schools I'd be looking to pay 40k+ a year (***)… </p>

<p>As for scholarships, aids and whatever, this is how much I'm getting:</p>

<p><a href="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ln3ak1ln791qclt3z.gif%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ln3ak1ln791qclt3z.gif&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><em>breathing into paper bag</em></p>

<p>I have no idea what to do. I could always transfer in the Spring or next year, but… I'm pretty sure there's more to just "transferring to an Art School" because of the credits and stuff. I'm royally screwed If I have to start as a freshman again. -cry-</p>

<p>Anyways, it felt good to type this out and congrats to you if you read this, but.. any kind of guidance or someone to help me sort out my options will be GREATLY appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Your other option is to take a GAP year, do something productive, and reapply to schools that more closely align with what you want, keeping your freshman status for financial aid.</p>

3

<p>Would you consider a gap year?</p>

<p>What are your high school stats? Maybe we could help you compile a new list of schools with good programs and that will give you aid.</p>

4

<p>I have a thought, why not apply to other state flagships. I would imagine there must be a few left with admissions still open; it would probably be expensive, but I doubt it would cost 40k. There are even some non flagship programs that are very good. In my home state, Ball State University has a very well recognized program. Here is a link if you are interested:</p>

<p>[Ball</a> State University - Animation](<a href=“http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/Art/ProgramAreas/Animation.aspx]Ball”>http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/Art/ProgramAreas/Animation.aspx)</p>

5

<p>Have you looked at SCAD…Savannah School Art and Design? If you’re looking for art angle, if you want to study from engineering perspective, clemson’s engineering depart has a computer trackk that covers that. Seems like may need to transfer after one year…spend it taking general ed classes that you’ll neeed anywhere.</p>

6

<p>Hey, errr, stupid, have you checked out SAIC (the School of the Art Institute of Chicago)? It is supposed to have a decent Art program (like #1 in the US) and I believe their deadline is June 1, but I could be mistaken. You may want to call them to check if they are still accepting applications.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.saic.edu/pdf/degrees/pdf_files/ats/anim_courses.pdf[/url]”>http://www.saic.edu/pdf/degrees/pdf_files/ats/anim_courses.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>Best suggestion so far: take the gap year.</p>

<p>You can work on your portfolio, think about your career goals, and apply to a better list of colleges and universities. To help you figure out which ones to put on that list, start here: [Visual</a> Arts and Film Majors - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/]Visual”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/)</p>

<p>Don’t forget to have a serious talk with your parents about how much they are ready, willing, and able to pay for your education. You may find that LSU offers the best combination of quality and affordability. With that in mind, pay another visit there in order to meet specifically with the professors who would be teaching the classes in the program that you would be in. Don’t worry about the recent graduate who had never heard of digital arts. I’ve met lots of people over the years who are clueless about other programs in their division of a university - they just aren’t the kind of people who pay attention to much of anything outside their own immediate sphere of interest.</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the replies, guys! I actually have been thinking about taking a year off and getting everything together, but my parents responded with a big flat “NO”. That, and all of my friends are going off to LSU and starting their college careers, and I simply don’t want to live here anymore, especially if I’m lonely. </p>

<p>And Leah, I graduated from an Early College so I have an associate’s degree in General Studies under my belt. And if you mean GPA, it’s a 3.8, and my ACT is a really cruddy 23. And for some reason we received a balls-high EFC of 56k so I doubt I’ll get anything. 0:</p>

<p>The other flagships are a good idea as well! I’ll be looking into the schools you guys recommended, though I’m more interested in reputable schools with good networking.</p>

<p>Mmm… LSU doesn’t seem to be THAT bad I guess, but it’s still far from my 1st choice. I also have a few scholarships there so I’d barely be paying anything for tuition. Is going to an art-based community college a good idea to save money or will I be screwed?</p>

9

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<p>Instead of basing you judgements on one student’s lack of knowledge, a belief that the the art department is short changed, and that there are too many “paint-covered hipsters” around perhaps you ought to speak to the people who really know the program. Have you talked to any of the professors in digital arts or students majoring in it? Have you found out what if any internships are available? How many courses are offered? Where do the graduates get hired? </p>

<p>Perhaps you should do a little bit more research before you make a decision on whether you should go or stay. What happens if you run off to an art school and decide digital arts is not for you and you would rather be an economist or an historian, or a computer programmer?</p>

10

<p>Well, balls!</p>

<p>It seems to me you have a few options:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Even though it’s balls-late, get ballsy and take a gap year oriented toward digital arts then grab the bull by the balls and do some research on other digital arts programs while earning money to lower that balls-high financial burden.</p></li>
<li><p>Put your balls on the line, hope that the balls fall into place and you get into one of these quickly researched, rolling balls admissions schools. Maybe their program is better than the one you’re in.</p></li>
<li><p>Tighten up your balls and go to LSU for a year, see if it’s as bad as the opinion of one non-balled person and then decide what to do. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Regardless, it’s time to grow a pair of balls and take responsibility for your own life.</p>

<p>P.S. Here’s a tip: Give up the sophomoric obsession with your testicles and write, speak and act like an adult, then you’ll be treated like one.</p>

<p>P.P.S. I know, I know! What a kick in the ba…</p>

11

<p>If your parents have never heard of a gap year, it is understandable that their first reaction might be NO. But sit them down, and find out why that is their first reaction. Why do they want you out of the house now? Do they think it is a necessary part of growing up? Do they hope that you will change your major once you are in college because they think that design doesn’t promise you a good future? Are they concerned that you will mope around, eat their food, and generally not make any personal progress if you stay home? If you can come up with a plan for useful ways to utilize a gap year, they may be more willing for you to do that.</p>