I really enjoy Ringling it was my first and only pick for college but I recommend you look into other art colleges too! While I feel Ringling is perfect for me it might not be perfect for you so make sure you explore all your options! 

That being said my experience here has been a very positive one and the only downside is the tuition. Be sure to look into scholarships where ever you decide to go. :)

sstarshiprangerr asks: Hi! I just got my acceptance to Ringling on Friday and I can’t wait to go there in the fall! I’m going in for Illustration, and since you’re in that major, I was wondering if you could tell me more about it? I read your FAQ and it was very helpful, but I just want a littlemore on what goes on in the program. Thank you! :D

Awesome, congrats on being accepted in! A few things have changed now since I started but I’ll give you a general over view? 

Your first two years and a bit of your junior year will be developing and honing your skills. Your third year will be a little of that too but you will hopefully be coming into your own style by Junior year. Junior year will also be when things start to pick up and you are much busier than you were the previous two years. At least.. this was the case for me? They have changed the curriculum a bit so you might want to check in with some of the sophomores from  this year? (there should be a group listed on facebook where you can join and contact some students, look into it!) Your final year will be focused on your thesis, being on the look out for jobs, and also becoming more prepared to enter the work field. 

I suggest you look into internships for your sophomore year as well as your junior year? You never know what will happen and the more experience and connections you have under your belt the better!

As far as classes you will be taking figure drawing, painting (landscapes&still lives), figure painting, media classes, general drawing class, computer illustration, history of illustration, art history and advanced art history, illustration classes, as well as electives and, if you care to try, independent studies with some of the amazing teachers we have at RCAD (including George Pratt who is pretty well know and kind of a BIG DEAL lol). 

Classes are taught in a particular order for your maximum benefit and it seems like they will be doing away with minors very soon which is a shame but what can you do? 

If there is something more specific you would like to ask please don’t hesitate to I love helping people get a one up on what they are getting into especially considering the large investment you are making! 

enemic asks:

Hi! I’m from Colombia and i’m looking to apply to Ringling for the next year, i was looking for information how hard is to get into the college (i’m gonna apply to the computer animation major), i’d really appreciate if you help me giving tips, or something about it, thanks in advance since i’m gonna start to create/organize my portfolio to apply, hoping an answer, best whishes. Camilo.

Hey Camilo, thanks for the question!

Well, I’ll tell you right now that Computer Animation (CA) is pretty difficult to get into but not impossible! The major is pretty small usually ( this year’s class is the biggest by far with about 80 something students ) and very picky about who they select.

I myself am a part of the biggest major on campus, Illustration. It’s very different from the selection process that CA has to go through so I’m not sure exactly how much help I can be.. all I can say is that you need to give it all you got, pay attention to the dates for turning in work for CA ( which is way earlier than other majors ) and keep a positive and hopeful attitude.

I would suggest dropping a line to my friend Shelby ( wecansexy ) since she started as a CA student here at Ringling. ( She recently switched to Illustration ) She would probably have some really good insight into the application process since she went through it herself.

Actually I think it’s really great to hear from you since we JUST had our new international students move in the day before! I wish you the best of luck and I’ll be rooting for you. :)

I’m a community college student whose considering transferring to ringing. Would you say it’s hard to get in? i’d want to be an illustration major, but i know i still have a lot of room for improvement. are the typical math, english, etc. classes necessary there, or do they focus entirely on art alone? would completing my AA first help me or does it not matter? also im poor so any extra advice on that not already in your faq is appreciated! thank you for having so much information up!

It’s no problem at all! I would say that if you are transferring into Illustration that you have a good chance of getting in. Illustration is the biggest major here on campus and unless A LOT of people are applying at the same time I wouldn’t worry about it! As for the classes main focus is on art but you still do have to take a couple of courses that would fullfil those basic courses you mentioned but I really don’t know much about that since I transfered in with my AA nearly complete. ( I was only missing two classes to graduate…long horrible story, bleh ) 

AS FOR MONEY.. I struggled so much when it came to affording classes here. I suggest looking into as many scholarships as you can and looking for grants before you even consider private loans. I myself had to turn to private loans but I wish I had really sought after more scholarships since there are so many out there. There are even a lot of local scholarships out there so be sure to look into that! Remember to look into your family history or anything at all that makes you unique. Even red hair or being exceptionally short or tall or silly things like that. Those scholarships exist! 

I would also get in contact with Ringling themselves. Call up Financial Aid and tell them your situation. 

For this last year, my senior year, I was facing the real possibility of not being able to attend. I was ready to really throw in the towel and started thinking of other options I could do until could go back. I had contact Ringling telling them my situation and how desperate I was. They came through and gave me 10,000 dollars for college and all I can say is there should have been more tissues in the house when I got the news. 

I wish you THE BEST of luck! Ringling is worth every penny and has thought me so much and I have made many AWESOME friends who will be amazing connections later in life! Well, I won’t see you here since I am graduating but I hope you make it. Good luck Anon!