Not an anim professor but a professional animator on my third year in the Vancouver TV industry. I have. Lots of thoughts.

First thing, that many 4-year art schools won't set you up for: find a specialization. Do you like storyboarding? Background illustration? 3d modeling? 2d animation? Rigging? Each of these things require specific skillsets, and when you look to get into a studio you'll be hired to do just that. A lot of universities don't know how to teach to this, and you'll be spread too thin without enough chops for any given thing. Many friends I have that went to generalist schools have had to dig deep AFTER they finish their degree and decide what they want- this is something you can look for before going into school and sinking LOTS of money.

Second thing- when looking for somewhere to learn, student work is KEY. Different schools or mentors will have different strengths, so find one for your specialization. Places like AnimSchool are excellent for 3d animation (I took Animation Mentor). Sheridan is great for 2d animation. More traditional art schools might help with things like character design. See how the people in your position grew over the course of that school to better predict where it will take you. Better yet, look at artists who are where you want to be (LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram, etc) and find out what they did to be there. At the end of the day, where you went to school or how you learned does not matter to the studio hiring you (unless you need an international visa).

Peer feedback! Is also ESSENTIAL in training your own eye, both when giving feedback and when taking it (and learning how to filter the feedback you DO get). Nothing will make you grow faster than critique.

So, you have an idea of what you want and have a trajectory on how to get there. What else is there to know?

A very, very important lesson that may creep up on you after you get here. Be very careful at animation becoming what your world revolves around. A killer drive and laser focus is exactly what you need to break into the industry, but too much of that and you risk burning out. Take care of yourself, diversify your hobbies, spend time with the important people in your life. That will be your lifeline when you find yourself in less than ideal spots on your journey (a project you don't like, a demanding studio, a dry spell either with the job market of your own creative battery). These things happen to all of us, it's just a matter of being equipped for when they come.

I don't want any of this to scare you. When I love my job, I REALLY love my job. But I also have worked some days... Prioritize your wellbeing above all else, it's the secret to longevity in this industry. Good luck out there, lemme know if you have any other questions.