The Ringling cube - lights up the corner of the campus. Except during the day when its just blue.

Clown school? No, Ive never heard that one.

Prior to my four years at Ringling I I was freezing my butt off at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.

Most of the students I was in class with chose to either transfer to Art Center or BYU. - I chose the Ringling School of Art & Design.

When people ask me what I felt of my 4 years at Ringling I usually pause before answering. - Its a great school, I recommend it to any artist serious about his or her professional art career. But that doesnt mean I liked EVERYTHING about it. I did have some complaints.

My first problem with Ringling was that I transfered with 2 years, 20 credit hours and an associates degree. To the untrained eye, you'd think I would automatically be given credit for at least th first year. - But instead I was given credit for "most" of the first year and a lot of the second year. To receive my grants and loans I was forced to enter Ringling as a Freshman.

The first year is considered the 'Foundation" year - - That entire year was like going backwards. After spending 2 years of intense art study at RIcks College, that foundation year at Ringling was like going back to High school. - I breezed through it getting As in everything. I was very disapointed with the foundation year and felt it was way too easy.

The second year things picked up a bit and began to take shape. The cake-walk ended with the foundation year. At this point students branched off into their specific course study and from that point on, Instructors expected a great deal more. By the second year, no matter how well you drew or painted, your instructor would find some ways to help you improve. Most above average students earned Bs without taking that extra step or putting in those extra hours.

By the third and fourth year, the tempo picked up even more. Assignments were given at the beginning of the week and turned in at the end of the week. The whole purpose of the third year was to teach the student time management and putting out a great piece of art with less time to complete it. This was the make it or break it year - I recall seeing many drop out during this year.

The fourth year was mostly independent study. - since I had a stockpile of credits from my previous institution I was almost attending part-time. I had the minimum credits to remain fulltime. The fourth year was the "Thesis year." The first semester is dedicated to planning and developing your project, and the entire second semester is devoted to working on it mostly independently with weekly check-ins to discuss progress. - the last day, your project is due and is expected to be completed, perfect and ready for display.

I might be the wrong person to ask about Ringling on a social level. I did not live on campus. In fact I commuted from Tampa every day and then rushed to work once school let out. - back to Tampa.

Graduation was a sweet day - finally I could breath