Game design/animation

Daughter is a senior at a private Illinois school. 3.5 UW, 3.75 W GPA, 24 on the ACT (taken twice, same score). She wants to get into game design and/or animation. We are willing/able to pony up somewhere around $28K, with possible additional help from grandparents. We expect no need-based financial aid based on our situation.

We don’t want an art school/conservatory, in case she wants to change majors.

Here’s what we’re looking at right now:

IUPUI - looks like a good match, deep program in Infomatics/Media Arts and Science, will give a tuition break to Illinois residents (not instate, but much cheaper than out of state); visiting in September.

Bradley - visited in the summer, close to home, familiar with the city, liked the faculty we met, semester in Hollywood program; possible reach academically, stretches the finances a little bit.

Webster (St. Louis) - don’t know much about it, possibly good academic scholarships (but possibly not); the program seems broad but somewhat shallow.

Maryville (St. Louis) - I hear some good things about the school; the program seems heavy on the art end and lighter on the tech end; the GD major is brand new. Financially about on a par with Bradley.

University of Tampa - Mostly because she likes FL and would be near grandparents. Would need academic money, which may be a problem.

We will also have either University of Illinois Springfield or one of the Southern Illinois campuses (campi?) as a safety.

Any comments on these schools, or others that we should be looking at?

Spend the airfare or gas money. Go visit. You will like IUPUI.

Almost everyone that visits there is impressed. Cool urban school, highly ranked.

Go ahead and put in for housing in the University Tower. The best Freshman housing option in in the Midwest. A refurbished 4.5 star hotel.

Blocks from sports, shopping, museums and all that a big city has to offer. And in bad weather, you NEVER have to go outside if you dont want to.

Thanks, @Goodkidsdad. We’re visiting in a couple of weeks. Are you familiar with the new dorm (North Hall)?