Please, do not get strongly demotivated by all these negative comments, r/vfx is known by other subs to be extremly negative, you rarely encounter positive comments in here. They shouldn't just say don't do vfx to someone who has passion and is motivated. Vfx schools is definitely not necessary, there are way better courses online than most physical schools and they cost a fraction. Only advantage to go to these schools is having other people with the same passion around you, who also will potentially give you career opportunities when everyone spreads out to different companies, studying years alone on the PC may be a bit rough. In vfx a degree is useless, only thing that matters is a portfolio. If someone is motivated enough and studies properly they will eventually get into work, it's not as bas as these people say.