- Skibur
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OK, I have some experience in this area, so let me be of service to you.
I worked and travelled for four years after high school before deciding to study Animation at a private college (in Australia). I wanted to be doing something I enjoyed. The cost wasn't an issue for me at the time.
The course was quite average, especially when compared to the price. The tutors were mostly pretty good, but the facilities were lacking and the accelerated nature of the course meant that there was very little time to work on personal projects to improve your skills. The teaching material was behind industry level. Half the subjects were also pretty much unrelated to the degree and only there to fulfill the criteria for a degree.
A lot of people dropped out. Probably 80% of the programmers, 70% of the designers and 60% of the animators had dropped out before graduating.
Upon graduating there was little to no chance of getting a job in the games industry. Most of the jobs people got were as a result of their internship while at uni.
I got a job throught the internship at an architectural visualisation place. Good place but terrible money.
Most of the other graduates did not and still do not have work.
I quit the arch vis place and am now working in television, which is great (but was more of a 'who you know' situation). I'm also working on my own indie game projects.
So, should you study at a private college?
If you've got the self motivation needed to study and work at home, then you can use the internet and books/textbooks to learn everything you would learn at uni and more.
I'm actually teaching myself programming at the moment using online resources and textbooks.
This is cheap and less stressful, but if you're not motivated and good at teaching yourself then you will get nowhere. (me on most days ;)
Uni is good because you have a good support base, deadlines and group projects.
Back before I started I had played with 3D software a little, but really had no idea what I was doing and what to do next, so I feel like I learned a lot from the college that I would have never learned myself, despite the negatives. I also have a good foundation now to continue study in related fields (such as programming and design). There's also the piece of paper, but as for its value I'm still not sure.
I know someone who studied at Full Sail and the last time I spoke to him he was still looking for work.
DigiPen might be great, but all the best things I have heard are about Vancouver Film School.
If you want to get into 3D and want to know what the benchmark is, visit 3D community sites, such as http://www.polycount.com. You will get great feedback, encouragement and inspiration from these communities.
[Edited on 07.29.2011 4:52 AM PDT]