u/rainavaha

I’m currently in the summer before my sophomore year of college. Up until now I was attending a college in a large city to study animation, but I am unfortunately no longer likely going to be able to afford it (best case scenario I would leave with 160k+ in debt). I am most likely going to be transferring to a small local school in my state that is very bare bones to study animation there. Both schools use all the same software and general supplies, but I am worried that leaving the larger school will permanently damage my chances of networking/building connections/ and potentially even getting a solid foundation. I haven’t spoken a lot to the professors at the smaller college, but I know neither of them work in the animation industry. I really want to go to a college and get a degree, but I genuinely have no clue what the right choice is.

I’m hoping if I attend the smaller school I can do a lot of independent studying while there, using the equipment and software I would otherwise not have access to. I also don’t have the option to live at home with my parents and study independently.

Any and all advice is welcome!

I (18f) just finished my first year of college. I am hoping to get a degree in animation and I am very passionate about this career path. I attended a school in a larger city and my tuition was 60k (20k of which was covered by various grants and scholarships) unfortunately that left me with around 40k that I covered with a private loan. I work part time, and I am evaluating my future debt.

There is a state college I could attend for at most 20k a year (tuition, housing, meal plan, etc.) and it would likely be significantly less with scholarships and money from the college (should I receive any, I’m not sure what it’s like for transfer students). I am likely going to apply regardless just to see what my aid package is.

I am planning to schedule a meeting with a financial advisor at my current college, but in the meantime if anyone has any advice I would love feedback.

At best I will likely graduate with 100k+ in student loans if I continue at this college. I’m feeling pretty hopeless, as I’m sure many people my age are. I just want to know that I’m not completely ruining my life.

I also have 60/120 credits despite just finishing my first year, unfortunately my college doesn’t allow for accelerated degrees, but maybe a different one would?

I’m happy to answer any other questions!