I’m planning to be a software engineer since it seems to be high in demand (though if I get to work in a game company, that’d be a win-win). But I wanted to get some experience in game design just in case I wanted to start making my own games and launch a small company in the future. I’m wondering if it would negatively effect my goals if my college doesn’t offer one though
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Ohh I see, thank you so much!
while each school uses a different meets need formula, they typically won’t be that far off. You might run the others again. Perhaps you entered in incorrect info or entered it into the first school.
I personally would not ED to where you are ED’ing. If you can’t switch, email/call the admissions office.
In your case, if you 100% want to be in game design, find the right school - even if there’s a small cost.
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Oh, if you want to be a software engineer, not sure you need a game design major. Others would be better to answer. @jaf09 had great info before and maybe would have more to add.
But seems like many of the schools on the meets need list offer a class in game design, just not necessarily a focus.
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The answer is maybe. Getting a degree in CS or SE is a great start, but following through with developing some of your own games with a team of others will be really important because I believe employers now expect to see a portfolio from both sides (the GD/programming side as well as the art side). I sat through a whole day of a virtual game industry networking conference in October and was able to see listings of jobs for a handful of video game companies; they all wanted to see previous experience.
One more important piece of advice for looking at schools: make sure you can take the GD classes. Some schools (RIT and Champlain College, for instance) are more restrictive - you have to apply directly to GD and be accepted into the program - and may not allow non-GD degree students to take some of the GD classes. Just contact the schools to ask if non-GD students can take those classes as electives, then make sure you can use them towardselectives for your software engineering degree.
You may want to see if any of the schools you’re considering have a minor in GD. MSU and WPI are the two that come to mind (I’d tell you more if I had my notes, but I am out of town and left them behind). WPI only requires six classes (mind you, they have an odd non-semester schedule) in order to get a minor.
Good luck! I’d love to hear where you end up.
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Hi, thought I’d give an update if you and anyone else were still interested in hearing where I’m going!
I’ve decided on Williams College, who is basically giving me a full ride (only 2.7k for work study!). I’ve checked out their internships and programs, and I believe it has most of what I was looking for. Also got waitlisted at Cornell, but their financial package has loans so I probably won’t go even if I somehow get off the waitlist.
On another note, I got rejected from the school that I backed out of EDII. Not sure if me backing out had anything to do with the rejection or if they just didn’t like me haha
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Williams - near full ride - hmmmm - you won the lottery. Good for you.
No way to tell - probably depends on if it’s a demonstrated interest school. Or need aware school.
You did great!!
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Thanks for the update and congratulations! I agree that you won the college lottery with a nearly-full ride from a fantastic school. I hope you love it there!