I need a little help picking the right school.

You could try this.

The $100,000 Animation Drawing Course

Hi Superpip and welcome to the AWN Forums. If you want one of the best 2D animation programs in the US, check out Cal Arts. Check the "sticky" called "Art and Animation Schools" at the top of this forum for more information.

Aloha,
the Ape

Hi Superpip and welcome to the AWN Forums. If you want one of the best 2D animation programs in the US, check out Cal Arts. Check the "sticky" called "Art and Animation Schools" at the top of this forum for more information.

Aloha,
the Ape

What about people who can't afford those private schools? Is there a good alternative?

What about people who can't afford those private schools? Is there a good alternative?

self-motivation

What about people who can't afford those private schools? Is there a good alternative?

Yea, its called learning on your own.

With the various free and low-cost resources like art-supplies,books and on-line info, you can train yourself for less that $1000, I'd reckon.
Just takes a bit longer, but that depends on the person.

Yea, its called learning on your own.

With the various free and low-cost resources like art-supplies,books and on-line info, you can train yourself for less that $1000, I'd reckon.
Just takes a bit longer, but that depends on the person.

I can easily get into most colleges, and get most of it paid for (I'm in IB classes), but since Art and private schools don't care about that and the same scholarships don't apply, and they are expensive, there is no way I'm going to a private school.

One school in my state, Missouri State, has an animation program, but a very, very small one. I mean there is three classes for animation. I, II, and III.
[B][B]
Should I settle for a public, normal college, like a state college for basic animation programs, or should I shoot for costly art schools?[/B][/B]

I guess it depends on what the public/private colleges offer doesn't it?

If your artistic skills are well developed ( near professional) then something at a local college might give you the nudge to become pro.
On the other hand, if you really want to hone your skills, a private college could have more specific training and dedicated instructors than a public college wwould.

Want the easiest gauge? Forget what the school is.......look at the places that are turning out alumni that are actually gaining work in the industry.

A college in Missouri, offering "basic animation" ( which might just be learning some software and not actually covering animation principles), might be a complete waste of time if none of its grads actually land work in the field.

You can take on the local half-hearted offerings--but what does that do for your skill-set and ultimately your career?

For what its worth, I'm self-taught and I've been in the biz for over 21 years now. Given the resources at your fingertips RIGHT NOW ( which I didn't have when I started out) you can follow a similar path if you choose, or you can pursue schooling.