Send us your Admissions Application

Include proof of HS Diploma or GED and creative sample.

You may send it by e-mail to [email protected].

Or mail it to: The DAVE School

2500 Universal Studios Plaza Sound Stage 25

Orlando, FL 32819 USA Attn: Admissions Step 3 Notification

Applications are reviewed weekly and your approval or denial will be sent to you by e-mail and/or by regular mail. If your application was denied, you may reapply with new materials after 3 months.

Step 4 Payment

Tuition is due in full four weeks before the first day of class, unless you are using financing, in which case the terms must be finalized by this time. This is to ensure that any student on a waiting list will have enough time to organize his or her finances should a seat open before classes begin.

Step 5 Show up

On the first day of class you don’t need to bring anything, just show up prepared to listen. Orientation includes staff and student introductions, policy lectures and, if time and weather permit, a long walk through Universal’s theme parks among other things.

Advanced Placement and Transference of Credit

The DAVE School is a private school and, as such, reserves the right to be selective in its choice of students for enrollment. Because of our extremely unique curriculum, The DAVE School does not typically grant advanced standing or credit for previous training or education. However each situation will be evaluated case by case, including previous training of Veterans.

Those seeking advanced placement should make an appointment with the School Director as early as possible. Generally we do not approve requests for advanced placement because each lesson builds on the last and key concepts are strategically positioned throughout the year. However, when appropriate we have made exceptions.

Requirements

- The minimum acceptable grade is C or 70% GPA

- Credits must be computer animation and/or modeling related - Accepted credit is limited to the equivalent of 25% of the

program length

- A transcript or other certification documentation is required - Direct transfer credits to the admissions department

- Appeals may be submitted following appeals policy (Page 36) - Tuition is calculated pro rata based on level of advanced

placement

Only credits earned at an institution accredited by an agency recognized by either the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation are acceptable.

In possible cases of advanced placement, grades from any accepted transferred credits will not be figured into your DAVE School GPA.

The school will issue official transcripts to other institutions upon request. However, because none of the classes at The DAVE School correspond to common course numbering and the unique nature of our training, it is highly unlikely that credits earned at The DAVE School will be transferable to other postsecondary institutions. The decision regarding the acceptance of credits earned at The DAVE School is made by the receiving institution.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

All students enrolled at The DAVE School must comply with the minimum requirements of academic progress as outlined below in order to satisfactorily complete his or her program of study and in order to receive the academic credential for which he or she is enrolled. It is necessary to pass all the blocks of his or her program of study in sequence in order to graduate. To measure the student’s progress, minimum quantitative and qualitative standards have been established as follows.

Evaluation Points

Student academic progress is calculated at the end of each 12 week term; however it is also evaluated weekly.

Required Completion Rates

Students are required to complete 100% of the clock hours they attempt each term. If a student fails, or chooses to retake a class, the repeated class is counted as attempted. Transferred credits are included as attempted and as completed.

Required Grade Point Average

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average no less than 2.0 points. Any course with a grade of withdrawal (W), fail (F), incomplete (I) or transfer course credit (TC) is not considered in the calculation. Only the higher grade obtained in a repeated course is included in the calculation.

Maximum Time Frame

The maximum time frame in which a student is permitted to complete a program of study is equal to one and one-half times the total number of quarter clock hours in the program as outlined below. Repeated courses and transfer credits accepted are included.

Students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress throughout the duration of the program. Cumulative grades are calculated and reports are issued at the end of each term. A GPA of less than 2.00 at the completion of a term constitutes failure of that block.

Normal specified period, the student will be placed on:

Warnings

A student falling below the acceptable level of satisfactory progress will receive written warning from his or her block instructor in a private conference. Notices of substandard academic progress are administered weekly beginning the fifth week of each term. The instructor will advise the student on how to improve his or her academic progress to acceptable levels. If the student meets or exceeds the minimum GPA and is completing the program within the maximum time frame during the warning period, then the student will be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress. If the student fails to meet the minimum GPA or complete within the maximum time frame by the end of the term, then the student will be placed on probation.

Probation

A student who fails a block will be on probation during the term in which he or she repeats said block. If the student meets or exceeds the minimum GPA and is completing the program within the maximum time frame during the probation period, then the student will be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress. If the student fails to meet the minimum GPA or complete within the maximum time frame, then the student will be withdrawn.

Appeals

A student may appeal a decision by clearly stating in writing the

providing written documentation of his or her special circumstances, by identifying the steps he or she has taken to ensure that he or she will not fall below satisfactory academic progress standards in the future, and by signing and dating his or her petition.

Appeals must be submitted to the School Director within two weeks of the date of the written notification of unsatisfactory progress. It is the responsibility of the student to decide when an appeal is appropriate and to initiate an appeal before the specified deadline. The School Director or designee will make the final ruling.

Grading System

The instructor reviews and grades work at the end of each assignment. When appropriate, written exams and/or weekly performance grades are given. A single assignment may yield more than one grade. Each term and/or course assignment within the program is scored separately. The DAVE School uses an alphabetical grading system with a numerical equivalence based on a “0” to “4” scale:

A = Excellent 3.50 - 4.00 I = Incomplete B = Good 2.50 - 3.49 W = Withdrawal C = Satisfactory 1.60 - 2.49 TC = Course accepted

F = Failure 0.00 - 1.59 In program Transfer Cumulative GPA

The cumulative GPA (average) is calculated by multiplying the total number of courses attempted by the following numerical value of the grades; totals are divided by the total number of courses competed.

Grade Numerical Value Percent Numerical Value A = Excellent 4.0 90-100 I = Incomplete 0.0 B = Good 3.0 80-89 W = Withdrawal 0.0 C = Satisfactory 2.0 70-79 TC = Transfer n/a

F = Failure 0.0 69-0 Course

Students may monitor individual academic progress at any time during the program by accessing our online grade management system.

Retaking Classes

A student who fails a program block must retake the block in order to move forward in the program. The failing student will automatically be enrolled for the next term. This has the potential to be at a different time of day than the student's original enrollment. A student required to retake a program block will be on academic probation until that block has been completed successfully. No student may take the same program block a third time. Only the final passing grade will be recorded and figured when calculating the cumulative GPA upon completion of the entire program. Failure to pass any program block on the second attempt will result in academic dismissal from The DAVE School. A student must pass each of the four program blocks in sequence, in order to graduate.

Graduation Requirements

Digital Animation & Visual Effects Diploma

A Diploma in Digital Animation and Visual Effects will be presented to each student who has:

1. Successfully completed all blocks with a minimum CGPA of 2.0, C;

2. Attended 1200 clock hours instruction;

3. Submitted a final demo reel;

4. Completed student housing check-out inspection (Only applies to students in school housing);

Diplomas are presented at a graduation ceremony held at the end of each program. The DAVE School reserves the right to withhold transcripts and/or diplomas if a student has not fulfilled all monetary obligations to the school.

Student Placement

The DAVE School has a very aggressive placement program that begins with the quality of your educational experience and continues through your demo reel production.

Demo Reel Lab

Graduates are encouraged to plan and execute additional projects to add to their demos. To aid you in this very important part of your education and placement, you are welcome to use the school's computers, render farm, studio space, editing facilities, and duplication rack. Even after your first job, The DAVE School is a great place to rework your demo as you grow professionally.

Every member of our faculty and staff is available to review your work, offer suggestions, help solve problems and advise you on your job search.

On-Campus Recruiting

Throughout the year the school invites industry recruiters and professionals to attend our graduation ceremonies and/or interview our graduating students and alumni on site or via video conferencing (Skype).

Individual Advising

Even long after graduation every student is encouraged to make an appointment to have his or her reel reviewed by the School Director, faculty and staff. We will advise you on strategies to reach your specific employment goals.

On-Line Resources

We maintain an exclusive forum on our website for graduates to congregate and discuss employment opportunities and industry developments. We also provide a list of open source software and royalty free art resources on our website.

The DAVE School faculty and staff will assist graduates in finding employment to the best of their ability. However, no school can guarantee employment.

Rules and Regulations

Attendance

Attendance is taken daily at The DAVE School and students are expected to make every effort to attend all classes as offered; this is essential for academic achievement. Functioning as part of a team requires the entire team be present, and learning to be punctual and accountable for your whereabouts is an important professional skill that employers demand.

Furthermore students should make every effort to schedule outside appointments at times that do not conflict with classes.

- A student with more than four (4) total absences during any block, who wishes to graduate, will be required to repeat that block the next time it is offered with available seating, potentially at a different time of day than his or her initial enrollment.

- Every accumulation of four (4) tardies during any one block constitutes one (1) absence.

- A student, who is more than two (2) hours tardy or leaves class more than two (2) hours early, will be considered absent for that day.

- Assignments or tests missed due to absences must be made up upon returning to class.

- A student absent in excess of 15 consecutive class days will be automatically withdrawn from the program.

Appeals related to the attendance policy must be in writing and addressed to the Academic Director. Students withdrawn from the school for non-attendance may apply for re-admission, and their request must be reviewed, received and recommended by the School Director.

Tardiness

A student who is not at his or her workstation, ready to work, when class is scheduled to begin is considered tardy.

Veterans Attendance

Excused absences will be granted for extenuating circumstances only.

Excused absences will be substantiated by entries in students' files. Early departures, class cuts, tardiness, etc, for any portion of an hour will be counted as a full hour of absence. Students exceeding three days of unexcused absences in a calendar month will be terminated for unsatisfactory attendance.

Students Receiving VA Benefits

Students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or above or they will be terminated from receiving benefits. If a student has three absences in a row, he or she must be terminated from VA Benefits unless there is a valid excuse (i.e. doctor’s note, sick child, etc.) and the excuse must be

Leaves of Absence

If a student requires an extended period of absence, he or she may postpone the continuation of his or her education until that block is offered again during a future term. The deadline to request a leave of absence is the end of the first week of the block, and any exception to this rule is at the discretion of the School Director. A leave of absence will not be extended beyond one academic year without approval from the School Director.

There is no additional charge; however, scheduling depends on seating availability.

A request for leave of absence must be directed to the School Director; the student should provide a reason and state the length of the requested leave and the projected date of return. If the student does not re-enter the program within the projected time frame, the student’s enrollment may be terminated and he or she may be subject to a refund in accordance with the school’s refund policy.

Re-Entry

A student who has canceled, or has been otherwise withdrawn or terminated, and desires to re-enter the program of study must notify the school and follow the required admission procedures.

The withdrawn student must submit a letter to the Executive Director stating why he or she should be reinstated and may be required to have a personal interview with a school official before being permitted re-entry. The level of Satisfactory Academic Progress at the time of his or her departure will determine at what level he or she may be allowed to re-enter the program. The decision of the Executive Director is final.

Student Records

Student records are permanently retained by the school and are available to students upon individual request. Student records may be made available to potential employers only after the student has submitted a written request to the administration office.

The DAVE School will also release information about an individual student in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.

Conduct

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. All students are required to obey the laws of the state of Florida, as well as the rules of occupancy at Universal Orlando Resort.

Failure to obey is grounds for immediate

dismissal. Possession of illegal drugs or firearms on school premises will result in immediate dismissal. We have a zero tolerance policy regarding students or graduates under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on school property.

Academic Misconduct

All students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible members of the academic community. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited, to cheating, facilitation, plagiarism, and fabrication in connection with any exam, research, assignment, or other academic exercises that contribute, in whole or in part, to the fulfillment of requirements for courses or graduation.

The following definitions, while not exhaustive, are intended to provide examples of the types of activities that can give rise to a charge of academic misconduct:

-

Cheating: Giving or receiving unauthorized assistance, or intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials or information. Examples include but are not limited to: copying from another student; using unauthorized study aides or "cheat sheets," or other people's work; altering assignments or exams and submitting them as your own; offering false excuses in order to gain time extensions; submitting an assignment to more than one class without an instructor’s permission; submitting someone else's work (e.g., that of a friend or private service) as your own; getting someone to take an exam for you or

Student Lounge

taking an exam for someone else; receiving unauthorized help on an exam or accepting prohibited help on an assignment.

- Facilitation: Helping or attempting to help another student engage in academic misconduct. Examples include but are not limited to: giving unauthorized help on exams or prohibited help on assignments. (Students are often encouraged to work together to help each other learn, but may not do so on exams [unless specifically authorized] or on any assignments when the instructor indicates otherwise.); giving test or assignment answers to students in the same or another section of the same class after such answers or information have been made available to you, but before they have been provided to other students;

completing an assignment or exam on behalf of another student.

- Plagiarism: Using another person's original words, ideas, or research, including material found on the Internet, in any academic exercise without properly crediting that person.

Examples include but are not limited to: failing to cite all sources used; using another author's sentence or phrase structure without proper citation; paraphrasing another author without crediting the author; using another author's ideas without proper citation (e.g. footnotes, endnotes, etc.); using another's original work (writing, art, music, graphics, computer code, or scientific work) in whole or in part without crediting that person; stating facts that are not common knowledge without citing the source.

- Fabrication: Creating false information or data and presenting it as a fact. Examples include but are not limited to: making up false quotes, statements, data, or sources;

improperly manipulating another's data to support your own theories; citing sources that were not used;

misrepresenting academic accomplishments to instructors or employers.

Sexual Harassment

The DAVE School strives to provide a non-discriminatory and harassment-free learning environment. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Sexual harassment is of two types, hostile environment and quid pro quo. Hostile environment sexual

harassment includes, but is not limited to, conduct of a sexual nature, including unwelcome jokes, touching, comments and the like, which unreasonably interferes with a student’s ability to perform his or her responsibilities because of the hostile environment which is created. Quid pro quo sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the making of unwanted sexual advances and/or requests for sexual favors where either submission to such conduct is made an explicit or implicit term or condition of enrollment; or an individual’s submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for educational decisions affecting that individual. Students who believe they have been harassed should promptly report the acts of the

harassment includes, but is not limited to, conduct of a sexual nature, including unwelcome jokes, touching, comments and the like, which unreasonably interferes with a student’s ability to perform his or her responsibilities because of the hostile environment which is created. Quid pro quo sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the making of unwanted sexual advances and/or requests for sexual favors where either submission to such conduct is made an explicit or implicit term or condition of enrollment; or an individual’s submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for educational decisions affecting that individual. Students who believe they have been harassed should promptly report the acts of the

In document Catalog Version XXIX Addendum Published April 23, Page 6 Catalog Information (Page 41-54)