CSSSA SYDNEY

I was out of state when I was accepted as I lived in New Hampshire at the time! I completely recommend applying even if you are out of state! 

Good luck with your application! 

Yes! Some lucky ducks do get to dorm in that room.

What helped me improve so much art-wise was drawing almost every hour of every day. Figure drawing class in particular helped me improve, as I had never taken one before! Like everyone always says, practice makes perfect, and at CSSSA, you practice like crazy! 

There was a lot more stuff we did, but those are some of the bigger assignments! 

Yes they can! However, boys cannot cross into the girls hall, and vice versa (I know, not my favorite rule either). Also, there is a curfew for when you are supposed to be in your hallway, and when you’re supposed to be in your room. Your RAs will tell you all about curfew once you get to CSSSA! 

I recommend that if you know you’re going to be doing something messy like painting, or will be moving around a lot, wear clothes you feel comfortable in and are okay with getting a little paint on for classes! You’ll have time after class and on the weekends to dress up a bit, if you want. When I was at CSSSA I found it better to dress down for classes. You don’t want to get pastel on your new white pants during figure drawing class! Also if you find yourself figure drawing, I recommend not wearing a skirt. Most of the times we either sat on the ground or on the benches, which is not the most comfortable thing to do in a skirt, especially a tight one. 

CSSSA @ COLLEGE FEATURE: Kai Lynn Jiang (CSSSA 2014) College: California Institute of the Arts Major: Character Animation Kai just finished up her first year at Calarts for character animation! Here's what she thought of the experience, how CSSSA helped prepare her, and advice she has for other alumni! The reality of college: You won't improve by simply attending college. You'll improve by practicing, getting feedback, and practicing more. It's definitely easy to track the improvement in my art, but for the most part I've grown significantly as a person. The way I view art and art making, the world, and myself has shifted so drastically. I think I've just gotten more positive in my outlook in general. There's always more to learn though! Advice on the college selection/application process: I wish I'd narrowed my focus more. At the time I tried to juggle far too many projects and assignments for college applications. On top of the high school workload I was just about ready to burn out. It's great to try your best in everything, but prioritizing what's most important to you personally will save you some sleepless nights of anxiety. Scheduling and time management are invaluable skills to have. Also, research the schools that you feel will foster your own creativity! One thing to keep in mind is, whether you're applying to an art college or not, whatever school you end up at does not determine your worth. You alone are responsible for your own education, as well as your personal and artistic growth. How CSSSA helped prepare you: Up until I attended CSSSA the thought of going to an art school didn't seem like a viable option for me. I viewed CSSSA as a fun program for the summer, but it ended up being a major tipping point for me. I have never come across a better environment that nurtures artistic exploration and growth. It's what got me excited about art again, and what I could bring to animation as an art form. As an artist I grew exponentially during my time there, and I would not have had the confidence to apply to the animation programs that I did without it. Favorite part about college: What I love most about my school are the people here! Being a part of this amazing atmosphere of passionate, talented, and driven individuals can really motivate you to push your own work to the limits and go beyond what you expected of yourself. There's a real community that forms within a small program, and I've never felt more at home. What's exciting for me is the amount of possibilities that have opened up for me in just being here. I have a couple of really cool projects coming up with some good friends of mine and I can't wait to share what we've been doing. For now all I can say is stay tuned! To see more from Kai, follow her on social media: kailynnjiangart.tumblr.com instagram.com/fisheye.kai vimeo.com/kailynnjiang

if you have sent in all your forms it is fine to book your travel! 

Most people do bring laptops (I own a desktop computer, so I brought an iPad instead). People mostly use them for fun (unless you’re in creative writing. My roommate did most of her work on there). I, for the most part, just used my iPad to update my tumblr (back during the early years of CSSSA Sydney!) and mooched off my friends to watch TV and do other things on their computers. Your computer should be safe if you leave it in your locked dorm room when not using it. 

Sure! 

Yes! I kept protein bars and lots of chip bags in my room. I wouldn’t bother spending the money on water bottles because the CalArts cafeteria will have waters you can take at any time. I know I ended up hoarding them in my room! Its good to keep a few in there for after curfew, but CSSSA students are notorious for keeping stacks of empty water bottles under their desks. 

Yes, the three weekend trips, as well as the photo and CSSSA t-shirt, are all extra fees you will pay on the first day if you decide to purchase these things. 

No makeup or pierces during class (not even the clear studs. My roommate tried that!). After classes you can wear what you want though! 

All the RAs are current CalArts students, and some of them may have attended CSSSA too! I can only speak about my RA (Ferdinand <3 ), but overall it seemed that people in general loved their RAs. I know my RA was fantastic! Their jobs were mostly to make sure you were where you were supposed to be at night, and to help you out with any dorm or roommate related problems. All the RAs are very kind and helpful and are a staple of the CSSSA experience!

Neither makeup nor piercings are allowed in theater classes. Once classes end (around 3 typically) you will be able to wear what you like, unless there are extra classes or events happening for your department. For the most part however, you’re probably going to be wearing whatever you wear to class, as that is where you’ll spend the majority of your time. 

There should be information on that in your acceptance material!