<p>@DrGoogle - what do you particularly like about USC? I haven’t looked at it that closely. I think I categorize it as large like some of the UC’s but twice the price (according to NPC.) And generally I’ve seen the Comp Sci programs at the UC’s (Cal, UCLA, San Diego) ranked higher. But I keep an open mind and welcome your input. Thank you.</p>
<p>Is he interested in game design? My H is a game design professional and highly recommends USC’s Dept of Interactive Media (he has lectured there and knows many of the faculty). He also likes University of Texas - Dallas for undergrad game design. </p>
<p>RPI has a game design program: <a href=“Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences | The School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences”>http://www.hass.rpi.edu/pl/gaming</a> Pretty far away from CA however.</p>
<p>@megpmom Good thought. He has worked on two game projects with friends - most recently a 30 day coding challenge. He works more on back-end pieces - as opposed to design of the game itself. He likes being part of a team of coders working on something. And that the something is a game I think is a plus. He’s not a creative type. But he works well with those guys on his team who are. One boy’s a musician, another an artist/animator. He also wound up being the team lead in one of the projects - kind of the project manager and the person explaining what all they had accomplished and why. Maybe at a USC he could find similar roles for himself. Thank you and thanks DrGoogle for bringing up USC. Texas has not been on the radar at all. Perhaps worth a look.</p>
<p>patertrium, he sounds more and more like my kid. One of my son’s high school projects was being the lead coder in a group that did a mod for Civilization 4. It actually got written up in Gamer Mag as the best mod that year. He never had any interest in the creative or artsy parts of the game.</p>
<p>Half-tuition at USC if NMF. His PSAT high enough?</p>
<p>In any case, I think it’s good that he gets pumped up about team-oriented activities. Probably no need to nudge.</p>
<p>Once he gains an interest in girls, he’ll change naturally.</p>
<p>@PurpleTitan Nice thought on the NMF. Unfortunately the bar is in CA is higher than other states for NM. Close but no cigar. :-)</p>
<p>I’m with Data10 on this one, look at highly ranked schools where techies would not be such an overwhelming majority. I like the recommendation of UCLA. It is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 tech colleges in the world but has a high proportion of social kids who are still serious students. </p>
<p>My son spent a year obsessively playing online, but realized he likes real life better. If he has good social skills but also enjoys games, I wouldn’t worry. </p>