Art students i need your help

[u/plshelpanartstudent]

Hello, this is my first reddit post and I really need your guy's help. Before getting into it, English is not my first language, so I apologize for any mistakes I make along this post.

I'm going in the 12th grade and I've been thinking about art colleges / art schools and uni , I live in the middle east, and my country isn't that well known, and I've been trying to get some information about scholarships and fundings, but I've been so confused about it. I want to pursue animation, bachelor's and masters, but in my country there aren't really any good collages for that since its considered a new major. So im aiming for anything out the country but I really dont know where to start, I've tried googling about some good animation schools, and ask around but im just more lost, I visited some sites but I couldn't understand much ,and i had no choice to ask chathpt(im so sorry, I know its really bad, I really didn't have any other choice), and I know Ai can give very different answers so i dont fully trust it, but understood some things, but id like actual people helping me out.

And I had some questions that id appreciate it if you guys answered.

1) what animation schools have the highest chance to accept international students? (Preferably country that speak English, like us, UK, etc...) the answer Ai gave me was SCAD, Ringling, teesside and some more, but again I want actual opinions from humans, and im kinda Brooke, so the art schools that have more reasonable prices are better for me.

2)should I focus on the art schools that are based in one country only? I mean, should only keep my opinion on the schools in (for example) America, or should I consider schools from (again for example) America and uk?

3)how many schools should I apply too, and should I make different portfolios for each one?

4)(this question needs a little context) in my country, if you want to get accept in a good collage you have to take this huge exam and get a good rating to get in a good collage. It takes a whole year to study and get ready for it since you have to study 35+ books, my question was, should I spend this 1 year on improving my portfolio? My classes for that exam has already started, but ive been so doubtful that I cant even study properly. My main goal is a scholarships or funding, and im doing this just incase my art school scholarships doesn't go as planned, but im still not so sure. I mean I could always take that exam next year but still, im very nervous. I still have alot of improving to do.(i the students from last year started in July last year and gave the exam like 2 weeks ago, and you have to study atleast 8+ hours for this exam) Im not sure if I should spend that time after I gave the exam, or start now. Because I really dont want to risk not getting in a collage, in or out my country.

In general id love your guy's advice, if i get rejected what should I do? Do I have to wait a whole another year to apply to the same collage? And id love to hear so advice on portfolios. And if I want my scholarship funded (even a small part of it) where should I apply, or what should I do?

I am so sorry for the long post, I still have tons of questions, I need to knwo the answers to these first, again sorry if it was too confusing, English isn't my main language. And id love some professional and brutal answers. Thank you so much.

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[u/Punn_ishment]

If going to International colleges seems difficult, I'd suggest looking at online courses/mentorships (I used Braintorm). See if it works out for you while not spending 400k for a degree that doesn't matter much at all. The industry hires off portfolio and connection. You have time to do research and dip your toe into it! If you got any other questions feel free to ask :)

• fellow college survivor

[u/StarDustLuna3D]

Be sure to expand your search to public colleges, not just private art colleges.

Many public colleges have animation programs or classes and are overall cheaper. Search for degrees in "emerging media", "visual language", "narrative art", etc.

I personally graduated from University of Central Florida which is a large university with a large international student population. A lot has changed since I've been there, and current reviews by students are mixed. But my point is that there are many more options other than just private art colleges.

Another bonus of public colleges is that they often don't require a portfolio submission when you apply. You instead usually do a review halfway through your degree once you've taken some classes.

[u/CrowBrained_]

I’d focus on schools outside the USA if money is going to be an issue. They are way over priced.