Ringling College of Art and Design 2011 hopefuls

[Addle]

There's nothing wrong with community college! I would prefer to go actually, but with the scholarships I've received at other schools I wouldn't mind going to another college to study. It must sound pretty ridiculous, but it depends on a lot of factors for me.

I applied to illustration. Can't say whether or not it's a good school. I've heard lots of varying things about their illustration department, but like any college, you get what you put into it.

[Addle]

Also, the pros of going to community college before Ringling have been discussed on this thread earlier. I just can't find them!

[rainingwalker]

@Stefanie: Wow, you've shared a lot of useful experience, thanks man! Although I don't know if I can join Ringling at the end, I must start cutting my life expenses since now. Oh, I didn't know charcoals could be expensive stuffs over there, I have just come back from a local fine art store and grabbed 2 plastic packages of charcoal pencils, putting away for using in US. One charcoal here is 50cents in USD. I also bought a telescopic easel ($10), which can be inserted into my luggage. (:

[katiegeewhiz]

twerbb: UArts is a pretty great school in my opinion! Of course, compared to places like Ringling and SCAD, their equipment isn't too fancy but they say it gets the job done. The dorms are blah and my mates that live there have actually had problems with strangers stealing so I guess security isn't that good? Kinda scary (like everything else in Philly)

UArts / Community college is my plan B. I just plan on next year focusing all my efforts into my portfolio instead of juggling AP classes and Student Council things from High School. We'll see how it goes! I gotta admit, I was feeling kind of crappy after my letter but now I am just pumped for doing better and the future looks bright!

[Stefanie]

Rainingwalker, sadly they make sure you use the brand of charcoal they want and only those brands. I wouldn't buy anything yet if I were you \: And that goes for basically all of the art supplies you need.

[Addle]

@katiegeewhiz: I know what you mean about AP classes and student council. I actually had to drop student council --> it was crazy demanding! I'm sure you know what I mean.

Can't wait to finish high school and focus on art! I'm really pumped for next year as well.

[Sootyowl]

I'm gonna randomly post here again as I have some questions. School of the Art Institute of Chicago was actually the first school I looked at because I didn't really know if I wanted to do animation or something else and was wondering if anybody had some information on them. I know their animation is combined with film, video, and new media so it's not really dedicated to just animation, so that worries me a little about even considering it. Ringling is of course my top choice at the moment but I want to plan to go to other schools as well.

Also the school I go to is pretty tough and I know the senior year is just horrible. So would it be a good idea to get the bulk of my portfolio done in my junior year and summer?

[assfeetaesthete]

School of the Art Institute of Chicago was actually the first school I looked at because I didn't really know if I wanted to do animation or something else and was wondering if anybody had some information on them.

New to the thread, though I have been following it from the beginning. SAIC is a lot more of a conceptual school when compared with Ringling, SVA, MICA, etc. I personally am attracted to their programs (also applied there), though I probably wouldn't recommend them if you are looking to get a job doing something with highly concentrated technical knowledge, like say, computer animation. I believe you pretty much get to choose whatever you are interested in so long as you can clearly define some idea or process that you are after.

Also, sorry to be Mr. Question Repeater, but I have just finished my AA and applied to the illustration program probably 2 weeks ago (transfer deadline). When could I expect a response? 2-3 weeks? I gotta get rolling with getting my finances in order.

[Stefanie]

I'm gonna randomly post here again as I have some questions. School of the Art Institute of Chicago was actually the first school I looked at because I didn't really know if I wanted to do animation or something else and was wondering if anybody had some information on them. I know their animation is combined with film, video, and new media so it's not really dedicated to just animation, so that worries me a little about even considering it. Ringling is of course my top choice at the moment but I want to plan to go to other schools as well.

Also the school I go to is pretty tough and I know the senior year is just horrible. So would it be a good idea to get the bulk of my portfolio done in my junior year and summer?

SAIC was my top choice for several months and I researched them like crazy. I'll give you a general overview because I don't know how much you know/don't know.

Cost of attendance from last year (note that it's gone up)
Fall/Spring 2010-11 15 cr/term-30 cr/year
Tuition $35,550
Estimated Living Expenses $8,920
Books and Supplies $2,740
Personal Expenses $2,100
Transportation $910
Health Insurance (if needed or required) $1,478
Total $51,698

Although their tuition cost is really high, they give out amazing scholarships. If you have good grades in school and a good portfolio, you're very likely to get one. I've mentioned this earlier, but a friend of mine received a $50,000 merit scholarship and I received a $30,000 (he applied much earlier than I did, and the earlier you apply the more money they still have to give).

The campus is separated into multiple buildings around the city.

As a student you have access to everything in SAICs art museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, which is almost as big as the Met in NY. I think the general public's access is about 30%.

I'm pretty sure they're the school that said the students basically investigate their art and themselves and choose the classes that will help them with their projects, etc. So if you're making a film based on old fairytales, you would take a class they offer that has to do with fairytales (I'm sure I saw a class on that somewhere). The main classes to choose from are listed and described here: http://www.saic.edu/degrees_resource...x.html#courses

Student work for that major: http://vimeo.com/15543364

When you graduate they don't necessarily say you graduated with a major in Film, Video, New Media. It's most likely you would graduate with only a Bachelor of Fine Arts, if that makes any sense. They don't title it beyond that because students explore it and take it to where they feel they want to take their education there. It's not very typical sfjhak.

Student reviews/opinions: http://studentsreview.com/IL/StAIC.html Take everything you read there with a grain of salt. Not every school is perfect and there will be people who enjoy their time in college and those who don't.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

[Stefanie]

Assfeetaesthete, you should hear back within 2-3 weeks (:. If it takes a big longer, it's most likely because they're busy with students who are sending in their attendance agreement forms and tuition/housing deposits, etc. It shouldn't take long, though.

[Lizzybeth]

Also the school I go to is pretty tough and I know the senior year is just horrible. So would it be a good idea to get the bulk of my portfolio done in my junior year and summer?

eh... maybe.... I would just focus on making good art for the time being and get into some figure classes/ or open drawing sessions before senior year. If you're going to go for animation, the bulk of your portfolio is going to be figure drawing anyways. The great thing about figure drawing is that it's not much of a time commitment at all, usually only three hours a week, and would be easy to continue despite a busy schedule. Then, come portfolio time, hopefully you'll be pretty good with figure and have some fresh pieces as well. Pick out your best ones, sprinkle in some of your best other work that you had done, and viola, you've got yourself a standard portfolio.

[roiducirque]

got results~ didn't make it into CA but made it into Ringling. Eck. Saw it coming~ however, I'm okay. I might go for it again next year. I don't think I was ready. I need to crack down. Money is also tight. So going to DCAD. :] closer to home and waaay cheaper. Hopefully I'll get my path straight. Good luck to all!

[Sootyowl]

Thanks Lizzybeth and Stefanie. I already knew a bunch about SAIC because I also researched them like crazy, but more for their Illustration or drawing classes. My sister went to college in Chicago and I just loved the city, especially downtown. We even visited the art museum, sadly we only had time for the modern art wing and the super famous paintings. My sister actually knows a kid who went there and he liked it, but was kicked out because of an inappropriate reply he sent to an email survey(he didn't think anybody actually read them.)

Lizzybeth, I'm glad that most of the portfolio is figure drawing as I love drawing bodies. It's also what I'm best at.

[Kittehpawz]

Hey if any of you guys want to add me on facebook, mine is facebook.com/kittehpawz Just tell me who you are when you add me :p Hopefully I'll see some of you around next year! ^^

[twerbb]

i think im the last to receive a letter from Ringling. lol. Still not here yet and no email from them.

[rainingwalker]

@twerbb: I haven't received my package nether! Amy told me my letter was on its way to my country by courier, and it was 7 days ago...I suppose all our results were released on the same day, so twerbb, please update me here if your package has arrived in Singapore, if I get mine, I will let you know. Alright? Thank you!

[twerbb]

hahaha! thats a really long courier! sure thing rainingwalker. so what are your plans? scad?

[rainingwalker]

hehe, I haven't decided yet...I still lay my hope in Ringling, until I see that wait-list...(还是希望进Ringling啊~) hahaha~

[twerbb]

Hahaha! 我知道！good luck dude. What other schools did you apply for?

[rainingwalker]

Thanks! Besides Ringling and SCAD, I applied to CalArts's Experimental Animation, but I can't get any feedback before April 1st. I also used to consider USC's animation, but I didn't have enough time to prepare a portfolio for them at that time.

[maanas.93]

LOL!!! i got the post from ringling !!!! twerb and rainwalker i think you would get it soon now !!! amy said that i am not into ca but got into ringling but the mail which came to my home said that ive been waitlisted for the computer animation .... and its not a package its just a letter thats it .... and nothing about the ranking in the waitlist .. it just says that you have been waitlisted and if there is a space for u we will put to you soon .....

i want to get in

[Addle]

Oh wow! Congratulations maanas! I'm sure that was a lovely surprise. :'D

Haha, same here. Nothing about rank. I've asked for my ranking, but my admissions counselor says she doesn't know.

[Halcyone83]

I just found out today I got accepted for Illustration ;_; I just called to double check that everything made it in in time and the advisor comes at me with "congrats!" omg i was definitely not prepared for it. it almost feels undeserved lol... and i'd almost wished they'd rejected my app since i'm unable to go next semester bc of money issues (i'm going to CC first for 1~2 years)
now that i know i'm accepted... i just want to take out a hundred loans lol. i won't though. congrats to everyone!

[DanialGlover]

Can I ask what everyone's GPA was before applying?
I'm working on getting mine higher, but would like to know what everyone's is.

[rainingwalker]

@maanas.93: Congratulations man! Oh~the nightmare has gone in a sudden! Let's wait for the good news together!

After all, I personally think they should have ranked us on that list, like how the other schools do. I am currently preparing the funds for getting the COF letter (for student visa) from a bank, I would like to inquire our international applicants here: do we have to deposit the funds for at least one year? Or we shall just deposit them until we get our student visa (3 months only)?? Thanks!

[twerbb]

Thats great maanas! theres still hope.

Hopefully I will receive a letter this afternoon cos its taking too long!

@rainingwalker: I think you need total funds for the entire course of study to be eligible for visa. correct me if im wrong

[Limewax]

Can I ask what everyone's GPA was before applying?
I'm working on getting mine higher, but would like to know what everyone's is.

My GPA from community college in 2007 was ~3.3 when I applied in 2008 for 2009 admittance.

My GPA from high school, graduating in 2003 was ~2.9.

I was accepted to GAD for the class of 2013 and I will be a Junior next year.

[rainingwalker]

@twerbb: Yes, you are right, the amount of the deposited funds shall cover the costs of the student's first year in Ringling, but do we really have to put the funds in the bank for one year?? cos I heard we just need to deposit them till the date we got our student visa...is that accurate??

As I don't want to have a huge of amount of money frozen in the bank for too long. Thanks!

[twerbb]

Hey guys! I have been accepted to ringling for game art and design!
Im freaking happy!

[rainingwalker]

@twerbb: That's freaking awesome! 恭喜金榜题名！！ haha~ (: