<p>I am currently a Freshman Computer Science Major at Samford University, but I am realizing that the actual field I want to get into is Game Development. I go to all of these classes that are supposed to make you well rounded that have nothing to do with what I want to do and frankly, after 18 years of schooling, I am sick of having to be in classes like that. I want to go to a Game Design/Development school where that is the priority and I am not overburdened with useless classes. At this point I am so tired of the Samford classes already that I am heavily considering taking next semester off and just getting a job and focusing on learning programming on my own or something like that. My question is what would be some good schools to apply to for enrollment in 2013 and what does it take to get into these schools? Thanks in advanced.</p>
<p>Does your school have computer science courses, including the basics in algorithms, operating systems, security, databases, software engineering, and networks (these are computer science topics which game developers need to know about), as well as those important for game developers like artificial intelligence, graphics, and user interfaces? Does it have art and animation type courses?</p>
<p>Be aware that game development is only a small portion of the computer industry, and not everyone finds it to be a particularly desirable part, given the nature of its market. Getting a good computer science education will prepare you for many computer jobs; if desirable game jobs are not available when you graduate, you can seek other types of computer jobs and move into the game industry later when a good opportunity comes up.</p>
<p>Yeah that’s the thing, my current school doesn’t have a great computer science course. It does have some of those classes, nothing gaming related though, but I was planning on transferring for sophmore year anyway. I know for a fact when i am older I want a career in the gaming industry, with aspirations to own my own game development company one day. I understand what you’re saying about more jobs for a good general computer science degree (which I am willing to get and am on the course to now), but I want to get more into the game development classes and things like that. I have considered USC, Fullsail, SCAD Atlanta, and a few others. I was just looking for feedback. The thing about SCAD is it is the #1 Game Design school, but I have heard it is extremely hard to get into. Then with Fullsail it is solely a game school, I have not heard much about it except that it is featured in a lot of my gaming magazines and my highschool college counselor recommended it.</p>
<p>Full Sail is not regionally accredited, so be wary.</p>
<p>SCAD seems to be more of an art school, so its game degree may emphasize more of the art and animation aspects, rather than the CS aspects.</p>
<p>What would be best is to go to a school with a good normal CS degree program, but which offers the game-oriented electives as well as art and animation type courses that can supplement a CS degree. Getting a specialized game degree (especially from a non-regionally-accredited school) would limit your options, due to the limited number of employers in the computer game industry (most of whom hire people with normal CS degrees).</p>
<p>Any suggestions on schools with good CS programs?</p>
<p>What is your college GPA
Highschool GPA
State of residence
how much can you afford
SAT/ACT</p>
<p>There are many schools with good CS degree programs. What may be appropriate for you depends on such factors as how much it will cost you (including financial aid, scholarships, and state residency for public schools), your general preferences (e.g. location), and the elective offerings that will help you with game software development. Of course, your college record will be very important when you apply to transfer; if you apply to transfer at the sophomore level, your high school record is likely to be important as well.</p>
<p>college GPA- 3.7
Highschool GPA- 3.2
State of residence- Alabama
Price- not an issue
ACT- 25</p>
<p>WPI has a good program - [Interactive</a> Media & Game Development - WPI](<a href=“http://www.wpi.edu/academics/imgd/]Interactive”>http://www.wpi.edu/academics/imgd/)
You can choose to focus on the technical or artistic side.</p>
<p>[Top</a> Undergraduate Schools for Video Game Design](<a href=“http://www.princetonreview.com/top-undergraduate-schools-for-video-game-design.aspx]Top”>http://www.princetonreview.com/top-undergraduate-schools-for-video-game-design.aspx)</p>
<p>Your 3.7 college GPA could be helpful if you transfer at the junior level (i.e. you are a current sophomore), but your 3.2 high school GPA and 25 ACT score may be a significant impediment for the more selective schools if you transfer at the sophomore level (i.e. you are a current freshman). Also, many schools are much more friendly to junior transfers than sophomore transfers.</p>
<p>USC (Trojans) and RPI have a minor in video game design that can be done with a major in CS. UC Irvine and UC Santa Cruz (which is near Silicon Valley) have game options in the CS majors (though it may be better to just take the game courses alongside a regular CS major to avoid limiting what you learn). But these schools cost $50,000 to $60,000 per year if you do not get any financial aid of scholarships. There are likely plenty more schools that have the courses that will be of interest to you, whether or not they have formal majors or minors in game design.</p>
<p>For less expensive options, you may want to see if your in-state public schools have the courses you would be interested in.</p>
<p>Becker College is a reasonably priced option and is only blocks from WPI. Both are located in Worcester, MA which is about an hour west of Boston. Accessible by train, easy drive. Both schools are really pushing game design major; WPI is a top engineering school across the disciplines.</p>
<p>I appreciate the help guys. I will definitely look into all of those schools. I think you guys are right in that I should major in CS and just take game design classes on the side. Thanks again.</p>
<p>avoid the for profit schools that have really come on strong in the past 5-10 years. (for a lot of reasons)</p>
<p>Adding in my chime to a CS degree rather than a game development degree. There are so many parts to game development - art, physics (how people move and jump), CS (algorithms, general programming, understanding speed issues), psychology (what rewards and goals are the most addictive). Any one of them could be a full major - please don’t go to a four-year degree in game design without fully understanding what it will get you when you are finished. You don’t want something that isn’t enough art or CS or psychology to do anything.</p>
<p>bump10char</p>
<p>Geekmom63 … I agree that being a generalist might be an issue wuth the multidisciplinary schools yet I think having a strong portfolio might be the best ticket so … Wherever you can cone out with lots if hands on experience and sometbing to show for it.</p>