Cleared Ringling waiting list but already enrolled to SVA

[nreGene]

This is making me crazy. I've already enrolled to SVA and paid them five hundred bucks and just now Ringling notified me that I cleared their waiting list for computer animation. The overall expenses are pretty much around the same for both areas if you include the housing or living expenses of both choices. My biggest question is to what extent will studying at Ringling have for a future in CA? I understand that CA by its nature involves a hell lot of self learning accompanied along with schoolwork and that attending art schools is mostly about honing traditional skills and preparing you for industry work. So what is it about Ringling that sets it apart from other schools like SVA? Right now I'm currently leaning towards just going to SVA and if for any reason I'm displeased there I'll apply for transfer the following year. I'd like to hear what every everyone else has to say about this or about anything else I should be aware of for that matter. Also I'd appreciate if anyone in Sarasota tell me what its like living in Ringling's area as I'm more familiar with Manhattan.
__________________________________________________ _
Ringling:
PROS:
Number one school in USA for CA majors...hands down no contest or so I'm told.
About 8000 bucks cheaper per year.
More quality education from what everyone tells me.
Sarasota...sunny...warm...beaches

CONS:
Have to worry about housing and living expenses.
I got no car...might become a pain in that area (correct me if I'm wrong)
__________________________________________________ _
School of Visual Arts
PROS:
I can move in with my brother and not worry about housing or expenses.
A lot of people I know are either in NY or are going to NY.
It's in NEW YORK CITY!
More help available if I were to run into any sort of trouble.

CONS:
Greater tuition of 8k yearly.
Can get kind of crazy in the winter.

[nilaffle]

A good indicator of how well a school prepares its students is to look at where they're working after college - and how many of them are working. Ringling's got a pretty good job placement rate among graduates. Check here for a list of recruiters (PDF link at the bottom). I would encourage you to check out what SVA's animation graduates are doing. Don't know if they have that info on the website, but you can probably talk to admissions or career services, or maybe someone here will know.

I doubt a car will be a problem, there will be plenty of students with cars who can bus you around. Having been to college in a country area where not everything is very convenient, I think I survived okay for two years without my own vehicle. And hey, it actually helps to save money since you're not running out to go shopping all the time.

[thesinfulsaint]

RinglingRinglingRingling!!! Trust me, I'm not going to have a car, either, and I'm sure there will be a lot of people in the same boat as us. Anything that you would really need (like groceries, etc.) is within walking distance. If you want to catch a ride to the beach one weekend, I'm sure others will share. From the people that I've already met who are going, they're all pretty friendly.

Housing is a bit expensive, but after freshman year, you can move off-campus. I hear there is some relatively affordable real estate around if you know where to look.

[Dose206]

correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that on campus housing at Ringling is less than 8k (I should know this cause I was looking it up earlier today but...) so I believe even after housing it would still come out cheaper. Could be wrong though, you should do your homework on that.
Plus, if I get accepted to Ringling for fall 08, I gotta car that can seat several, and I'd have a hard time believing that I'd be the only one.... I'm sure you can get rides. Plus from what I understand Ringling is not too distanced from the heart of Sarasota.

[dguy]

You will be fine if you choose to go to SVA. In fact, most of the big motion graphic houses in NY are full of SVA grads, such as Psyops, and Rhino. You can look at the grad works here: http://www.svacomputerart.com/

Here's the guy who set the bench mark for SVA a few years back:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wP4Y_ksHsqE

I doubt you can find anything that top that any where else. So you will be in good hand either way.

BTW, Ringling won't let you transfer into Computer Animation, they want all there grads to do all 4 years at Ringling.

[Elwell]

Plus from what I understand Ringling is not too distanced from the heart of Sarasota.

Oooooh, the heart of SARASOTA??!!!

[Dose206]

Oooooh, the heart of SARASOTA??!!!

yeah yeah yeah

[Nepenthe]

It sounds like the majority of your reasons for going to NY are finance related, but if you save $8000 a year at Ringling doesn't that pay for housing in itself? I found that finally living with roommates, then on my own, was an extremely rewarding and educational experience. Your brother might be the most awesome guy in the world but at some point you might want something different. Also, don't go to a school just because people you know are going. It's YOUR education, and if Ringling is a better school in your mind that's where you need to be. You get to see everyone four months out of the year anyway when you go home for breaks Looking at your Pros and Cons it looks like sunny, beautiful FL is where you should be, advance deposit or no.

[nreGene]

Yea basically, the costs will be close to the same for both places when you compare them. I honestly don't know which school is better for me. It seems that SVA's computer art department is more balanced between 3D Modeling/Animation and Motion Graphics/Design while Ringling's CA department has a stronger concentration on character animations. Its a real tough call for me when it comes down to looking at the difference in curriculum between the two schools. About job placement it seems that New York's motion/animation studios have their recruiters checking around their area while Florida has got theirs checking around Ringling. The thing with moving in with my bro is so I can have an advantage of having a better sense of security. Also, my art teacher points out that New York City has a better art atmosphere overall but I don't know to what extent that will have on inspirations. Overall the choices seem to even out which is making things difficult. I'm kind of leaning towards SVA for its broader curriculum but then theres the "what ifs" of going to Ringling and vice versa. Thinking about rolling a dice on this one.

Also, I'd appreciate it if those with the "You wanna do CA? You come down to Ringling" attitude elaborate a bit more on your experiences, the things most satisfying about your school, and if possible what you see other schools lacking that Ringling has. I have full confidence that you all know what you're talking about but details are vital here. Thank-you all for the responses.

[Elwell]

Also, my art teacher points out that New York City has a better art atmosphere overall but I don't know to what extent that will have on inspirations.

Immeasurable.

[JessicaNoel]

I live about an hour from Sarasota. I've been to RSAD and the museums and stuff twice. I got accepted to RSAD also. BUT all of my art teachers at St. Petersburg College (well known around these parts, it's like a starter school w/ a good art program at the Clearwater campus) push students to look beyong Ringling. The thing is if you're shelling out 24k yearly to attend a school you don't want it to be in Old Fogey town with hardly any cultural/artistic venues/etc. There's not much going on in Sarasota except the water front. EVerything else is catering to the super-rich retirees that finance the town.

[artmessiah]

Truthfully it just depends on what you want to do in your career with animation. As someone mentioned Ringling is geared towards character animation and right now (anyway), it's the best in the western hemisphere in regards to that aspect of animation. SVA is strong (from what I gather) in the technical and visual aspects of animation. Ringling instruction IMO is strong there as well. I've lived in NY and it is an experience - hands down. Lotz of stuff to do and places to see. Plus a motley crew (motley crew ) of people to encounter, but that being said there are mad, mad, creative and talented individuals going to Ringling not to mention there is lotz of cultural and artistic venues down in Sarasota/Bradenton area. If your into symphonies, plays, art exhibits, the beach and a wide variety of summer style activities, this is a great environment to be. I've been down here for about a year some months now and I hated it at first, but once I got used to the area - it's ok. Environment should have a place in your decision, but what should count more (IMVHO) is what school is catered to what you want to do with your future career. Sorry for being so long winded, all the best to you.