Best colleges for animation enthusiasts?

I'm a high school junior fascinated by animation, from digital to traditional. Can anyone suggest colleges with strong animation programs? I'd love to hear about any hands-on courses or opportunities for networking in the animation field.

Absolutely, there are several colleges that are renowned for their animation programs.

CalArts, often considered to be one of the top schools for animation, has a Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Character Animation. With its close ties to Disney, students often get unparalleled industry insights. You'd have access to state-of-the-art animation labs and opportunities for internships at big-name studios.

Ringling College of Art and Design's Computer Animation program is also worth a look. Graduates of this program have ended up working at leading animation studios like Pixar and DreamWorks.

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation. They provide a combination of theory and practice, and the opportunity to study both traditional and digital techniques in animation.

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has a top-notch program in Film/Animation/Video, with a focus on hands-on experience in creating animated films, from concept to post-production.

You might also consider University of Southern California (USC). Their Animation and Digital Arts program provides a comprehensive artistic and technical background, and USC's location in Los Angeles provides numerous networking and internship opportunities.

Ultimately, your choice should depend on your personal preferences, career goals, and financial situation. You might want to explore these programs further, visit the campuses if possible, and speak to current students or alumni to get a holistic idea of what studying animation at these colleges would entail.