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calarts admissions myth?
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hiiiii. so... i was reading somewhere that MOST people don't get accepted to calarts on the first try or from right out of high school.
1. is this totally true?
2. and if so, is this just coincidental? (like, the work coming from transfers or students who take a couple years off after high school to work on the portfolio usually have better stuff, just because they've been working on it longer?)
3. or, is it intentional? (like, applicant would only look like he/she is serious about animation if he/she applied multiple times?)
4. and would their review be tougher on transfer applicants or applicants NOT right out of high school?
i hate to make their admissions process seem so sketchy, but i've just been a little neurotic lately. heh :]
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i was wondering this too. i don't know the answers but i think they won't reject someone so that they only apply again if they want it bad enough, but i do feel that if they see someone apply the second time it will mean more to them than someone with the same quality applying for the first time. but this is just what I think. -
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It's primarily based on talent, yet. Most of the schools within CalArts primarily accept graduate students, however, as the school has always been geared towards those who are furthering their education, not just starting out.
But, like all schools, CalArts is affected by the bush economic debacle as well. If you are moderately talented, but can pay your entire way to CalArts, chances are you'll be accepted. CalArts is a private school, and has to work very hard to raise money every year to cover all costs.
The difficulty of getting loans is more difficult these days, with the want of lenders to be repaid asap. This has affected the ability to fund the schools--especially to find qualified teachers within the industry. The pay to teach at CalArts is so very low compared to most schools.
The saddest is always when you see an incredibly talented student not be able to attend just because they can't afford it.
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It is true. Most people do not get accepted to Character Animation on their first try. (I would know...)
And yes, CalArts has a higher percentage of older students, less right-out-of-high-school students because they are usually looking for more maturity in the artwork and vision. But that has less to do with age and more to do with the art. If the talent is there- it's there. They won't care how old you are.
And a student who applies over and over and over again who IMPROVES has a much better chance of getting accepted rather than someone else who just stays the same. (Again- I would know...) They don't care if you apply until doomsday- but if you show some significant improvement, that's great!
No- the reviews are the same for all. They are looking at your ART, not your age.
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portfolio reviews are BLIND -- they don't know who you are or how old you are. When they see your portfolio, it's not like they say, "oh look, it's jane smith trying to get in again. wow, it looks like she's really improved!!!" And if you are a first time applicant AND you are GREAT, even if only 17 at the time, it will be, "wow, this unknown person of unknown age is incredibly talented!!!"
This post was edited by Deleted Member at September 3, 2012 9:30:06 AM PDT -
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hahaha i wishhh no...i just found out about csssa recently and i am applying this year. i saw ur animation on utube (i stalk everything calarts/csssa related lollll) and i was amazed...it's literally one of my inspirations! ahhh i am so happy i got to talk to u (kinda)...but yeah...wow i seem like such a stalker..haha
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What about the other myth that's been circulating...One that's been more worrisome for me. The idea is in regards to paying your way through CalArts. I've heard that in the case of a moderately good portfolio coming from someone that can pay their way entirely through the program vs. a very good portfolio coming from someone with more financial needs---Chances are, the more 'average' (and I say average, of course, with CalArts standards) portfolio will be accepted first. If someone could address this one, or rather share some opinions on it- that'd be great. -
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No, I highly doubt that, Shuu. I wouldn't fret over not living in Cali. :D
This post was edited by Hannah Gibbs at September 12, 2012 2:59:39 PM PDT -
The year i applied, it was somethign like a 9 percent acceptance rate. HOWEVER, the year after i applied, i noticed that there were more and more people being accepted straight from Highschool. And i'm not just saying that. If i'm being totally frank, i really wish i wasn't accepted straight out of highschool. It was great for my ego, but i should have held off. I kinda wish that i was denied my first time. Would have humbled me a bit.
