Well, I took a basic drawing class at a college as a prerequisite and my only regret is that I couldn't take more drawing classes. I was very surprised. I learned many new concepts and techniques that improved my own personal drawings greatly. And while I haven't done digital art yet, I could see how even those basic things I learned using traditional media could be applied to digital work as effectively. Also, you get the great benefit of networking with other artists from students to professionals, which opens opportunities for you. Basically the professors agreed that it is essential for anyone going into digital work should have dexterity and full understanding of traditional work and media.

I agree! To be honest I'd love to take a fully traditional course if I knew I could also take an in-depth digital one.
One thing really nice about this uni I might go to is that they include job-placement if you perform well enough. I guess that's one reason I'm so worried about having a solid foundation ^^; I don't want to miss out on anything I would need to know to get that far.

It would be a very good idea to actually contact or speak with the art professors. They can answer many of your doubts and guide you in the right direction. Interesting thing about college courses is that you go in thinking a certain way about what you want to do and in the middle and end of the course sometimes you end up seeing things differently and changing direction.

Oh trust me I did speak with them for a very long time actually. They answered everything they could and it did help, but I'm always unsure haha. I'm sure once I actually start a class I'll be able to better determine things.

I did 3 years of Graphic Design and that wasn't entirely what I needed in terms of illustration but definitely a massive boost with digital programs. From what I could tell, the fine arts course there was very traditional focused while ours was almost purely digital. That said we only really focused on illustration twice over the 3 years. I'd suggest looking for an actual illustration course. There aren't many but they do exist.

YEAH a pet peeve of mine actually is people using the term "graphic design" as an umbrella term for art classes in general. Ultimately, from what I've seen, it focuses more on advertising and stuff like vector art haha. Glad I found that out fairly early.

I have a lot of variables that are making it difficult to attend the 'perfect' courses/school, otherwise I would shoot straight for an art school and be fine, but that's just not an option unfortunately :'|

Well I can honestly say that majority of what I know I taught myself or learned via other artists. Depending on what you want to do, you may not need art school at all. Online courses could be a better option.

I've definitely considered that, but because of the type of person that I am, I need a structured environment to stay on task and help me develop.
If I don't go to school again I will most definitely keep myself trapped in my room for the rest of eternity haha.