I think i recently read somewhere that Maya is now the standard for animation. So if you could get a student rate on that I would get it. Then Max, then LW. I've had LW for years and think its fantastic. There is a steep learning curve to animate in it IMHO. I picked up Carrera a while back on one of the 3D World mags for like $15. But i just use it for PoserFusion sometimes.