Ringling College of Art and Design 2013 Hopefuls

[steampoweredseagoat]

any idea why did they would push back the date? Was there an increase in applicants? It seems odd that they would just arbitrarily delay the sending out of acceptances. Being as accepted students day is a bit before mid april, it really can't be too long until you receive your letters one way or another. If the school waits too long, it will be impossible for some to make it even if they are accepted. I know it's just a bit more than a meet and greet mixed with an open house, but its one of the privileges of getting in. It sucks if people have to miss that because they only find out they got in like 3 days before the event.

I think you might be right, there was a big increase in applicants. There was around 400 - 500 applicants. Doesn't make this any less annoying, though. Sadly, I don't think I'd be able to make accepted students day, I don't have the money to plan a trip down there. It would suck for the people that can actually make it down, though. I wish they would just make a decision already and send out the acceptances/rejections. 8(

[anomalexie]

I think you might be right, there was a big increase in applicants. There was around 400 - 500 applicants. Doesn't make this any less annoying, though. Sadly, I don't think I'd be able to make accepted students day, I don't have the money to plan a trip down there. It would suck for the people that can actually make it down, though. I wish they would just make a decision already and send out the acceptances/rejections. 8(

I feel like they really should have started earlier and the fact they only started a week before they usually send out letters irks me. They KNEW the numbers of portfolios they had, they really should stick to making sure letters are sent out by the latest the 1st of March. That should be their deadline. I know that typically people are supposed to have back up plans and stuff but maybe they delay it on purpose because seats at other schools get taken and people can't just be waiting around for their decisions in the event that they don't even make it.

I'm just really mad and upset right now, idk, I just want my damn letter so I can start to figure out what I'm gonna do. I feel like I'm stuck in limbo. Which is what I've been saying the past few months on this thread.

@ zekfir: hey. you have some cool digital stuff, did you put in any still lives or figure drawing? I dont remember seeing that in your dA.

[steampoweredseagoat]

I feel like they really should have started earlier and the fact they only started a week before they usually send out letters irks me. They KNEW the numbers of portfolios they had, they really should stick to making sure letters are sent out by the latest the 1st of March. That should be their deadline. I know that typically people are supposed to have back up plans and stuff but maybe they delay it on purpose because seats at other schools get taken and people can't just be waiting around for their decisions in the event that they don't even make it.

I'm just really mad and upset right now, idk, I just want my damn letter so I can start to figure out what I'm gonna do. I feel like I'm stuck in limbo. Which is what I've been saying the past few months on this thread.

@ zekfir: hey. you have some cool digital stuff, did you put in any still lives or figure drawing? I dont remember seeing that in your dA.

Agreed. They really should have started sooner and if they are doing what you are saying, well, that's just an asshole move on their part. I know I'm one of those people that have a back up plan that can't really afford to wait around forever. I really don't want to spend another year going to Community College. It has literally not taught me anything in terms of art but if I don't go to school this year I'll have to go back. One top of that, a lot of schools require you to enroll by a certain date. The school I was accepted in to requires me to respond by April 1st with an 150$ fee and housing should be done by April 15th. That's not a lot of time. Like, what happens if I respond then a couple of days later I get accepted into one of the other schools I would much rather go to? Do I get my 150$ back? I doubt it, I'll just have to unenroll. Which will be another obnoxious process. It's the same with SVA. They said I would hear from them within the next 3 to 4 weeks. kadlhgag. Like, no I applied way before the actual deadline for transfer students. Why the hell am I getting my acceptance letter this late? I mean, I know it's not that late but people have decisions to make. Your school isn't the only school people are applying to. Some people want to get on with their life and learn, not be stuck in limbo, great way to put it BTW. Ugh, sorry. I'm also ranting. This stuff is pissing me off too. It's stressful and upsetting and I also want my letter so I know what the hell I am going to do.

[anomalexie]

I mean like, I UNDERSTAND, obviously thats an easier way than to tell people "sorry we just don't have enough seats" and postponing letters is just a slightly easier way to weed out the crowd, especially those who just applied to see if they were good enough. Seriously. Like my friends ask me "what are you going to do if you don't get in?" I dont fucking know. I haven't applied to other schools because their deadlines have passed or I just dont want to go through that process of applying and paying for application fees if there is that slim chance I do get in to Ringling and all that would have been for nothing. I mean I'm attending university now, the worst that could happen is I don't get in and I have to change my major, I mean it's not that bad, I'll have to retake some classes perhaps, but its fine, I just need to know so that I can put in that form to change majors and do a minor in art or something. I know you don't get those deposits back. They're non refundable. Yeah it is an obnoxious process.

blaahhh, maybe my hormones and headache are just making me angrier than usual. I'm gonna call them tomorrow morning to see what's going on so I can resume stalking my mailwoman.

[Zekfir]

So did any of you go to one of the open houses? I managed to go to the one in October(which is a big deal since it was a 16 hour drive) and had a wonderful 1-2 hour conversation with one of the animation professors (Sean McLaughlin, I believe) Which really sealed the deal for me. I also chatted with a few other professors (Jeremy Cantor and another I don't remember the name of -___-; ) I didn't even get the chance to tour the dorms! It was a really exciting day and on our way down we managed a quick visit to SCAD and I realized I don't like cities haha. So Ringling is perfect for me.

@ anomalexi: I had some of my sketchbook drawings(which most weren't really life drawings but they were figures). I don't really have any of those up on my dA.

[themegagod]

I mean like, I UNDERSTAND, obviously thats an easier way than to tell people "sorry we just don't have enough seats" and postponing letters is just a slightly easier way to weed out the crowd, especially those who just applied to see if they were good enough. Seriously. Like my friends ask me "what are you going to do if you don't get in?" I dont fucking know. I haven't applied to other schools because their deadlines have passed or I just dont want to go through that process of applying and paying for application fees if there is that slim chance I do get in to Ringling and all that would have been for nothing. I mean I'm attending university now, the worst that could happen is I don't get in and I have to change my major, I mean it's not that bad, I'll have to retake some classes perhaps, but its fine, I just need to know so that I can put in that form to change majors and do a minor in art or something. I know you don't get those deposits back. They're non refundable. Yeah it is an obnoxious process.

blaahhh, maybe my hormones and headache are just making me angrier than usual. I'm gonna call them tomorrow morning to see what's going on so I can resume stalking my mailwoman.

You would think that since they had to receive all applications by a certain point (post marked January 15; and being 95% digital, that means it had to be received ON the 15th), that they would have seen the amount of applications and worked faster accordingly. I mean I feel bad for the people, but the judges could probably quickly cut out at least half of the applicants, as not being cream of the crop. I'm not saying anyone sent in a bad portfolio, but with 500 applicants, there has to be some really great portfolios, so sadly the good portfolios should have been quickly put to the side.

I know 500 applicants, with 10-20 images each in need of a review, means having to go through several thousands of images, and that's just for the CA major, but by now ringling's staff should be used to it. I don't know the whole process, but this is simply unfair to future students. I assume that they are simply trying to do whats best, with what ever this delay is, but it still is ridiculous.
and if they are hoping that people who just applied to see if they can get in, will call them before they receive their letter, and say "This wait is taking too long, I really don't want to go to your school anyway. don't bother sending me the letter", I think they are waiting on a lost cause.

@anomalexie: couldn't you change your major, and then just not continue going if you do find out you got into ringling?

And I'm not sure about that acceptance fee. I know that the application fee; that you don't get back- I like to think of that as a processing fee of your application. But the acceptance fee? I've only had to pay that once before, and that was to Ringling ($500). I sort of thought of that as a seat holder- i think there maybe a refund- or at least a partial refund if you decide not to go within a certain point.

[escaphilia]

Yeah, it's more than a little frustrating. I don't think that the Jan 15 deadline was the ultimate - no sending stuff beyond this point, as some people were told they had until Feb something to get their letters of rec or transcripts in. Though, I'm sure those people appreciate the change, it's still pretty unfortunate for those of us who had everything in by deadline.

Just try to stay positive guys! Hopefully, at the very latest we have eight more days to wait!

Also, welcome Zekfir!

[Praemium]

^^From what I hear, Jim Mccampbell our department head tries to look through all the portfolios himself... so it's not a big group, I'm pretty sure it's a pretty small group of teachers and admit staff (alot of which are super busy anyways)...anyways best of luck y'all, I know this is probably super stressful, but hold on!! we're officially on spring break, so if letters are delayed that's why i would guess.

[anomalexie]

Thanks Praemium I called today and when I asked about decisions regarding CA they directed me to my counselor who wasn't there lol maybe they finally sent out letters?
/seriously creeping on my mailwoman rn.
i didnt feel like harassing the receptionist again to clarify lol

@ tmg: yeah but i'm not sure how the process is and I have to find out before I start signing up for summer classes (Florida decided to pass some act where all major florida schools should be open in the summer and have summer classes mandatory for all asgbftasdbedg)

[themegagod]

@ tmg: yeah but i'm not sure how the process is and I have to find out before I start signing up for summer classes (Florida decided to pass some act where all major florida schools should be open in the summer and have summer classes mandatory for all asgbftasdbedg)

a mandatory summer semester? BAck in jersey summer classes were available, but you had to request them because they were accelerated. you had to do in like 8-12 weeks, what others had 16-18 weeks. I don't remember exactly how much shorter it was, but it was supposedly harder. I actually enjoyed the few faster paced classes I took.
This is good information for me to have if I do decide to, for some reason, ever go to school down here. Thanks!

[KellyDKim]

Look, I don't know about you guys but I just got my acceptance letter. I am dying of happiness right now. I got accepted into the Computer Animation program at Ringling. It's a shame I won't be able to go because of money and stuff but I'm really happy that I worked hard enough and that my stuff was good enough to be accepted. I don't think I've ever been this excited about anything. It is a little disappointing because now it is for sure because of the financials that I cannot go to Ringling but I hope that I can attend next year. Hopefully you guys have got your letters yet?

[anomalexie]

CONGRATS KELLY! D YAYYYY WE HAVE OUR FIRST ACCEPTANCEEE!! I'm sorry you can't go because of financial reasons but thats still really awesome that you got in

[themegagod]

Look, I don't know about you guys but I just got my acceptance letter. I am dying of happiness right now. I got accepted into the Computer Animation program at Ringling. It's a shame I won't be able to go because of money and stuff but I'm really happy that I worked hard enough and that my stuff was good enough to be accepted. I don't think I've ever been this excited about anything. It is a little disappointing because now it is for sure because of the financials that I cannot go to Ringling but I hope that I can attend next year. Hopefully you guys have got your letters yet?

This is both exciting and saddening new! CONGRATS! I'm so happy you got in, sorry to hear you can't attend.
I guess this means letter have been sent!

Kelly, if you really know for a fact you cannot attend, ( which sux ) you should call and tell the school as soon as you can. there may be someone who is on the wait list (or will be when they get that letter) who you could open a seat for. having been wait listed before I have a soft spot for those sitting on that list.

If you do find you can attend, It will be great hanging out with you!
Either way,
you did it! you got in!

everyone else:
http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instanc...x/35847700.jpg

[MangMang]

Look, I don't know about you guys but I just got my acceptance letter. I am dying of happiness right now. I got accepted into the Computer Animation program at Ringling. It's a shame I won't be able to go because of money and stuff but I'm really happy that I worked hard enough and that my stuff was good enough to be accepted. I don't think I've ever been this excited about anything. It is a little disappointing because now it is for sure because of the financials that I cannot go to Ringling but I hope that I can attend next year. Hopefully you guys have got your letters yet?

DUDE. CONGRATULATIONS. I understand the financial issues thing...maybe next year you can make it in and attend! Seriously, I've heard some horror stories regarding loans from others who went into their CA program, and the interest rates are outrageous! Yus....next year...it's good to be safe, man.

I may be waiting until next year, too, for my own personal reasons. >.< Life happens.

Where are you from? O.O I'm trying to figure out how long letters will reach the west coast.

[themegagod]

DUDE. CONGRATULATIONS. I understand the financial issues thing...maybe next year you can make it in and attend! Seriously, I've heard some horror stories regarding loans from others who went into their CA program, and the interest rates are outrageous! Yus....next year...it's good to be safe, man.

I may be waiting until next year, too, for my own personal reasons. >.< Life happens.

Where are you from? O.O I'm trying to figure out how long letters will reach the west coast.

through twitter I just "met" a guy who is right now in denmark who received his letter. It seem kind of ludicrous if news traveled internationally fast than it does though the nation, but I guess it may be express mailed elsewhere, while it is simply sent through regular mail domestically. It shouldn't be too much long in any case.

[KellyDKim]

Well I only live like an hour away from Ringling so that might be why... I feel pretty bummed out that I can't go. I've decided that if I can scrounge up half of my costs for college then I will try to take the half out in loans. I have no idea how I'm going to get 30,000 dollars but I have to try. I honestly didn't expect to get in which is why I wasn't that bummed out but now that I know that the reason I won't be able to pursue my dreams is because of money, it's just heartbreaking. And I know it's unfair to those who are waitlisted but I am going to wait it out until May 1 or whenever it is that I need my acceptance fee by. I need all the time I have to try to get the money. I worked hard for my seat and I'm not going to give it up that easily. I don't know, I'm just trying to figure it out.

Anyone have suggestions on how to get some tuition money?

[themegagod]

Anyone have suggestions on how to get some tuition money?

You could do like a lot of premed students. I know there are a lot of gentleman's clubs...

sorry, that was just too easy... lol
Honestly, besides scholarships, grants, and loans, I don't really know. And even those you have to qualify for and all the rest. I don't know the whole process.
I mean my case is special, and the only way to do something similar would be knowing someone close to you with a life insurance policy... and well setting it up to receive it- and I don't condone of that action. How other people get the money for this school is a mystery. That much money is not something people can just roll over and find under their pillow.

and in no way am I trying to say, give up your seat. You fight for that seat- your previous post just read like you already had your heart set on NOT going, so I just figured i;d advise you not to sit on it. You fight for that seat tooth and nail.
I just really cant imagine where that money might come from. In today's economy, that is a lot of people's yearly salaries.

[anomalexie]

Well I only live like an hour away from Ringling so that might be why... I feel pretty bummed out that I can't go. I've decided that if I can scrounge up half of my costs for college then I will try to take the half out in loans. I have no idea how I'm going to get 30,000 dollars but I have to try. I honestly didn't expect to get in which is why I wasn't that bummed out but now that I know that the reason I won't be able to pursue my dreams is because of money, it's just heartbreaking. And I know it's unfair to those who are waitlisted but I am going to wait it out until May 1 or whenever it is that I need my acceptance fee by. I need all the time I have to try to get the money. I worked hard for my seat and I'm not going to give it up that easily. I don't know, I'm just trying to figure it out.

Anyone have suggestions on how to get some tuition money?

I LIVE FOUR HOURS AWAY I DIDNT EVEN GET MAAILLL TODAY.

Don't you have bright futures? Thats like a grand right there, and the pell grant is like 3k or so, you could work so you can start building up a little fund, my friend made 3k in 3 months being a waitress, I have florida prepaid so thats like 2k, ringling is supposed to send out their financial aid package in a few weeks, so you can get 2-10k from that depending on how their sponsors liked your portfolio or wanna distribute the funds. So I mean it's not gonna be 30k, you can start subtracting things. Take projects over the summer, do lots of commissions, work at the same time. I mean it'll take time but its possible.

Even if its only 20k a year in loans, that's only 80 grand, thats not as bad as 200k so D:

[KellyDKim]

I would have gotten at least like 10,000 for FAFSA but my stupid citizenship papers and stuff and the bright futures is what I'm depending on but that's no way enough you know? And once again, I can't get a job without social security number. It's just really complicated being an immigrant and all.

And I doubt that I'm going to get any money that the sponsors are going to give. I have nowhere near a good portfolio. I'm still honestly wondering how I got in. I'm just really sick of worrying about this day and night and I just want to be able to go. It's just not fair that I don't have the money to go. And it sounds really childish but how does anyone expect a family of 5 with an annual income of 40,000 a year expect to come up with 50,000 just for me to go to school for one year. It's not logical.

I have the work done and I have the skill it takes to qualify but why can't I go in you know? I just get so frustrated.

This is just me bitching and moaning but honestly, I just feel like I have no hope right now. There is no point in me doing anything else if I can't even do what I want. This is my only chance to get out of this town and actually start living but it just seems like I'm stuck in this hole. People have suggested that I just take workshops and stuff like that but I mean is that really what I want? Would that really give me a chance at a career that I want?

I'm sorry for rambling but LJDASLKDJALKSJDKALSJD. I feel like exploding.

[MangMang]

Anyone have suggestions on how to get some tuition money?

All I can say is the majority of people who attend Ringling (or any expensive college) is with scholarships, grants, and loans. A friend of mine is a CA Ringling alumni, and she said the loans she got through Sallie Mae are horrible, and she is paying over a thousand dollars per month just to pay them off. She said loans outside of Sallie Mae are more lenient in that they work with you on monthly payments that are compatible with your salary, but Sallie Mae...those guys don't back down, and their interest rates are nuts!

Scholarships and grants, bro.

I don't qualify for grants, but if you do, take it! AND there are a BUNCH of scholarships out there. i'd apply for as many as possible. Whatever you do not receive in scholarships and grants, take out in loans. Yes, you'll be paying them off for quite some time, but there really are a lot of good job opportunities, especially if you move to California.

Go with your gut, bro.

[steampoweredseagoat]

Congrats KellyD! This is good this means our letters will be coming soon probably by next week. -3-

[Cnyx]

Congrats Kelly That's great you got accepted, I really hope you'll be able to go!
I hope I don't have to wait too long to get my acceptance/rejection letter up here in Pennsylvania :/ i'm so nervous!

[art-of-tennis]

I got my CA acceptance letter today in the mail. If I were to have been given a scholarship I would have been notified in the letter, right? God I don't know what to do now... I want to go there, but I don't know if I should do something like that purely in loans...

[Cnyx]

I got my CA acceptance letter today in the mail. If I were to have been given a scholarship I would have been notified in the letter, right? God I don't know what to do now... I want to go there, but I don't know if I should do something like that purely in loans...

Congrats! i hope you can go! I'm sure everything will work out. If i go, it'll be almost purely in loans as well, as will a handfull of other students too. You won't be alone xD

[JAndrews]

Congrats KellyD and Art-of-Tennis! Don't let costs stop you from going, since I'm sure a lot of people will be going in with loans. If this is what you want to do with the rest of your life, go for it!

[themegagod]

@tennis: AWESOME Sauce! Hope to see you in april/ August! But be careful with those loans...

As we discussed in the last few pages, the whole loan things are very up and down. you need to be careful if you use only loans, and you also need people with good credit backing you. not many people have roughly 250,000 sitting around to pay for all four years of college. Many will need loans, but bear in mind that banks rarely give someone with nocredit, or financial backers, or co signers 250,000 in loans either. You may need many loan providers, and you need to keep track of every loan type you have, and when they are due- blah blah blah. I think this thought process is what lectrice was warning about earlier- and people not being able to afford all four years of school.
also interest rates- jeebus. If you do have to take out loans in full for all 4 years, dorming and all the rest, and let say it's a flat 200k- even a fraction of a percent of added interest adds up fast. 1% of 200,00 is 2000 dollars, so .5 percent is 1000!

I'm not saying don't do it- Hell, I too bet a lot of people in ringling are living on borrowed money (I bet you thought I was gonna type time). Just be careful.

and congrats everyone so far!
those waiting, keep your heads up and fingers crossed!

[ilovesketchbook]

Sorry for the late reply. Super busy with my stuffs, no time to drop by here. Haha

Congrats Kelly and art of tennis! I am happy that you got in! I am still waiting. I am abit nervous. I am expecting to receive it next week. Don't give up on your seats halfway. It is not easy to get a seat out of 65 seats with 500 applicants. I am sure there is always a way out. YOU CAN DO IT!

[Zekfir]

Congrats you guys!

Jeez this is making me more anxious.

[rununtilyouroar]

Long time lurker in this thread. It was very helpful for my application. I just got in for computer animation 2013. Not quite sure if I'm going, though!

[anomalexie]

@ art of tennis: congrats! omg! scholarship letters dont come til april, idky, but they do, so I mean idk how much those will help but congrats anyways! D

i expect mine to come tomorrow, but i'll unfortunately be at work when my mailwoman comes around unless i go to the post office to pick it up -____-

@runtilyouroar: congrats to you too! OMG YES, THREE ACCEPTANCES SO FAR~ how far do you live from ringling?