i'm an incoming senior in high school. calarts has been my top school of choice for a few years now as i am very interested in everything having to do with animation, character development, et cetera. since i will have to begin application in the upcoming months i am curious what i can do to put my best foot forward. i have heard a lot about life drawing but that is about it. so;

1) what do i need to start doing NOW in order to better prepare myself for making the best portfolio possible?

2) what advice have you received/heard about from others involving what the people at calarts want to see in a portfolio?

3) is it plausible for someone who began drawing with fanart to want to and attempt to pursue this path?

i have experimented in animation with flash and the pencil program before, and though it was grueling work, i enjoyed every second of it. i have the ambition to do this and the drive to push myself, but i'm afraid i will be in over my head.