Start of 2011 Hopefuls...READ ALL OF THIS IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME HERE updated July 20, 2010.
And will start it off with some great tips from Meloncov from 2009's thread and Ti
Quoted by Meloncov
...Some notes on applications, garnered while I was at Ringling pre-college. Some of it may be more relevant to computer animation than other majors.
Portfolio:
Most of your portfolio should be drawings from life. The website says at least half; seventy five percent would be safer.
It's okay to have some concept art stuff, as long as it is good and reasonably original. Just be sure to get critiques on your work, and avoid stereotypes such as dragons and unicorns.
Same goes for 3d computer work. Also, keep in mind that the more complex a model or animation, the more likely it is to have visible flaws. A simple, effective piece will help you, while an ambitious but imperfect piece will hurt you.
Include only your best work; don't feel obligated to show a vast quantity or huge variety.
That being said, if you have top notch pieces in a variety of mediums, include them all. If you've invested the time to become good in many media, show it off.
Some of your work can be stylized, but avoid using other peoples styles, especially anime.
Grades/Recommendation Letters/Test Scores:
While secondary to the portfolio, grades do play a significant part in admissions. Likewise for letters of recommendation. While you don't have to submit standardized test scores, the people in admissions say that they never hurt and sometimes help an applicant.
Essay:
While the essay is less important than any of the above factors, it can be a deciding factor for a borderline applicant. Try to be entertaining; if you can entertain them with writing, it's more likely you'll be able to entertain on canvas or film. Don't try to suck up, and don't include any variation on "ever since I sax X, I've wanted to be an animator/concept artist/whatever." (supposedly, in order to make reading that sentence hundreds of times more bearable, they read it in a funny voice whenever the encounter it).
Also, the essay is your chance to explain any extracurriculars that you think should help you get in.[/QUOTE]
For GPAs that have recieved scholarships run from minimum 3.5 - 4.0 But from reading and people have posted for the last few years is too shoot for that 4.0 with 3.8 as a minimum if you want to be in the running for the big scholarships.
From even more previous threads...still info that applies..good read.
Quoted by Onceuponastar back a few years...
Students will explore the challenges of creating visual art for gaming audiences and develop a game-based senior thesis as an entry into the world of interactive entertainment.
The Game Art & Design major brings Ringling School's feature film aesthetic to games. You'll begin by studying the basics of game design – meaningful play, player interaction and options for creating and refining game content. You'll go on to study multiple narrative, interactive narrative and character structures in relationship to gaming environments. You'll also understand the influence of games on society and their enormous potential to educate as well as entertain. Above all, Game Art & Design is more than creating entertainment. It's creating an experience.
The following info was taken from the old Ringling 2006 Thread
Quote:
random facts/info/tips etc.
-The number of freshmen is about 400 with a total of about 1100-1200 students
-70% of students recieve some form of financial aid
-Computer animation major is a little more selective then other majors
-Ringling prepares you for 3d animation by teaching you traditional first
-MUST make half of your portfolio life drawings, and FINISH them. They frown upon sketches
-Ringling seems to like figures and self portraits a lot
-Be careful submitting a portfolio with really light shading.
-Ringling puts AP credit towards electives.
-To send in your art work scan it in or take slides. If you make a DVD or CD make it really easy to find the work because the faculty looking at it may become grumpy and not give your work the time it deserves.
The following info was taken from the old Ringling 2005 Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by sula_nebouxi
Official requirements:
Ringling requires a portfolio of artwork which ranges from 10 pieces(if you're in high school) and 15 (if you're transferring). In addition 2 pieces from each studio course must be included if you want credit for it. At least half of the artwork must be done from direct observation. Ringling also requires an essay and 2 letters of recommendation. You need to have a high school GPA of at least 2.0, not sure about college GPA if you're transferring, but I'm guessing it's the same. SAT scores are not required, but they may help if they are high. An essay is also required on one of the following subjects:
1. The creation of art is the result of many influences. Who or what has most influenced your work? In what way?
2. Discuss your goals as an artist or designer. How will attending Ringling School of Art and Design help you achieve your goals?
3. Discuss a local, national or international issue that is important to you. How would you address it in a work of art?
4. Describe an important experience that has shaped you as a person and as an artist.
Unofficial requirements(Or probably what they like to see, in no order)
-Figure studies and still lifes, lots of them. When Ringling means observation from life they mean this. -Don't ignore composition in still lifes, they can turn a dull piece into something really interesting to look at.
-Be very careful in including 3d work, only include it if your 2d skills are top notch and even then only include a few, and even then still, only include it if it kicks ass.
-Be diverse. Include a little bit of everything, by which I mean different mediums. Paintings, charcoal, pencil, etc...
-I've heard from a person who got in that a representative from Ringling said they like to see motion studies, and that you have some understanding of animation or movement (ie walk cycles, the bouncing ball)
-No storyboards. Stick to observational drawings.
-Scanning drawings can be a bad thing. Use slide film or a good digital camera in good lighting.
-It is possible that attending a college prep/precollege program will increase your chances of getting in. The official requirements stated that they like to see that you have taken a bunch of studio art and art history courses prior to going to Ringling.
-Plan to spend LOTS of time with your drawings, expect to spend at the very least 6hrs on each one. It's grueling but the amount of effort will show in your work.
-Your current GPA and portfolio are key to getting in. If you have a very high GPA(3.5 and up) you can probably get by with a decent portfolio, if you show potential. But if your GPA is low(between 2.0 and 3.0), your portfolio must be fantastic to offset the GPA. GPA's are important because they show that you are willing to work hard to improve. And also because academics are also important to Ringling.
-Your essay is also very important. It may tell a bit about you that your drawings cannot. To a lesser extent it also shows that you can put words together to form a sentence . Your essay should have a sense of eagerness to work hard, humility, no arrogance, and don't say something like "If I don't get in that's fine, I can do it on my own". They might think "OK, next!".
-Ringling wants to see a few things above all else: Potential, drive, creativity, skill, and your personality shine through your portfolio.
-Not sure if this matters too much but, do your drawings on a nice unwrinkled sheet of paper with no rips or tears or whatnot.
-Showing contrast in drawings is a must. Have a large range of values in your drawings. It's never good to just have grays in your drawings. Include dark blacks and bright whites.
-Play to your strengths. If you have weak figure studies, try not to include too many of them. Instead include what you are good at. Just don't neglect the observational art.
-Show only your best. Including bad or relatively average drawings can hurt your chances. It kinda gives a rushed feeling and they may think you aren't consistent with your work. Even if you have very few pieces, it's better than filling it out with mediocre work.
-Try not to wait until the last minute to send in the portolio, while they may be lenient on this, it doesn't hurt not to take any chances.
-Quick gestures may be a good idea to include. Maybe a large sheet full of them.
-Ringling likes to see creative works alongside the observational stuff. Show them what you are interested in. Remember, this portfolio is supposed to show who you are.
-Ringling, and most other art schools for that matter, don't want to see comic/manga style work. It's hard to be original with those kinds of styles. They also do not want to see stuff drawn from photos. Usually a trained eye can notice whether or not something has been photographed beforehand.
Random Info: (Also in no order)
-You should get your response from Ringling between the end of February and mid-March. It seems to depend on how many have applied and when and if you get weeded out(sorry if that sounded harsh).
-It doesn't really matter if your drawings are done on large paper or small paper. Whatever you're comfortable with.
-Solid foundation in art goes a long way. Understanding the human body will help tremdously in creating not just realistic works but believable ones.
-You can call the computer animation department to see if you have been accpeted. Sometimes they can check for you. Or they might give in from all the requests
-To be eligible for the Presidential scholarship(all expenses paid) you must complete your application and submit your FAFSA by March 1st. It goes to one person from each major and depends on your entrance portfolio. It only goes to the best.
-Unconfirmed: You can reduce your tuition by working as a Resident Advisor in the dorms. By doing this you do not have to pay for housing. That's $5000 less each year you have to pay.
-Freshmen are required to have a meal plan, after freshmen year you do not have to have one. This is because Freshmen dorms do not have a kitchen.
-FEWS is a great extra-curricular activity. Kids get together and just draw live models. Perfect for those who want to improve their skills.
-There are LOTS of scholarships out there. Pretty much every major corporation has one(it's a nice tax write off) Target, McDonald's, Taco Bell etc...It is possible to pay off a major part of your tuition with just scholarships. Check fastweb.com, lots of scholarships are available for those that just graduated high school and those who are undergraduates in college. Hell...I found a scholarship just for atheists.
-Word is, the Keating Freshmen dorms are full of fresh out of high school partiers. It will be loud and hard to concentrate on work there. Look into "family housing" or check to see if you can transfer into the Quads or Bayou dorms. Quads are also considered to be the nicest of the dorms so, if you're transferring in as a freshman and you have transfer credits and you are older than a traditional freshman, you have a good chance of getting in there. The Cove is supposedly quiet but it's quite a walk to the main campus.
Hmm...I think that pretty much sums up the last Ringling thread. Just remember to do your best and don't ever give up! Oh, and if you don't get in immediately, don't worry. Get on the waiting list and usually a couple people who got accpeted choose not to attend. It seems the wait list position can be anywhere from 3 to 10. Wow this took quite a while to write...well...anyways good luck...we'll need it.
Ringling Students on Conceptart.org [ I loved this part! ]
Ringling 2007 hopefuls
thesinfulsaint ACCEPTED
rblitz7 ACCEPTED
Richter ACCEPTED
artmessiah ACCEPTED
StxSwanson ACCEPTED
Atsurou88 ACCEPTED
Lahlah ACCEPTED
Nilaffle ACCEPTED
Gbertek ACCEPTED
Panda
Tamte
Lieu
Reply With Quote
I'll try and poke my head in here this year and offer any advice that I can. I was hanging around here for the 2009 thread, but I vanished as CA took over (I'm a junior next year). I was a transfer student from a community college myself, so for those of you thinking about transferring, I'm happy to try and answer questions, but of course, the best thing you can do is ask admissions what will and will not transfer from a community college, I should have done that from the beginning, but I ended up taking a lot of classes that didn't transfer (like writing and math classes). 
Originally Posted by gabbyness
People have transferred in as sophomores, but it's very difficult, especially if you are going into CA. .gif ";)")
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