<p>First I should probably provide a bit of information about myself. I'm a smart guy from NJ with not much of a work ethic who wants to become a video game designer. I'll be graduating high school in June. I'm definitely more of a writer than a computer guy, but I'm still quite a computer guy. My weighted GPA is a 3.3 (pretty garbage) and I scored a 2240 on the SATs (750 M, 750 CR, 740 W). I have already been accepted to both schools. I'm looking for a balance between academia and social life. Right, well, enough of that, let's get down to the nitty gritty.</p>
<p>TCNJ
Pros
+has more girls than guys
+is a better school
+has a better game design program (in the top 50 in the nation based on a list by GamePro and Princeton Review, + I would be an Interactive Multimedia Major and an English Minor, which is good because it means I can focus on writing but still learn the technical stuff)
Cons
-campus is only alright
-I would be with a bunch of people from NJ (no offense to my fellow Jerseyans, but I would like more of a change if you know what I mean)
-lower student population</p>
<p>UMBC
Pros
+I would already be friends with a bunch of upper classmen thanks to an overnight I went on
+the campus is nicer
+school has won some really impressive awards
+game design program is still really good (they got to present one of their XNA games at GDC last year, and their Imaging Research Center gets to do stuff for NASA and other cool companies)
Cons
-worse school
-I would have to focus almost entirely on technical stuff and wouldn't get to do much in the way of writing
-lots of commuters
-I've heard some bad things about it (although more good than bad, but with TCNJ I haven't really heard any bad things)</p>
<p>I'm definitely leaning a bit more toward TCNJ, but I just wanted to see what others had to say.</p>
<p>Also, I'll be visiting Binghamton next Saturday, which is the only other school I could possibly go to (once again, already accepted), but I really doubt it will stack up since they don't seem to take game design all that seriously.</p>
<p>I would definitely choose TCNJ, both in general and for your desired major. TCNJ is a very strong school with a great reputation and small classes. Congratulations on getting in!</p>
<p>I also want to be a video game designer (or at least something in that field).</p>
<p>I got accepted at TCNJ and UMBC (along with other schools, but I crossed them out because they are weaker in digital media). </p>
<p>I have visited TCNJ (yesterday on Accepted Students Day) and UMBC. I have crossed UMBC off my list. </p>
<p>Here’s why: </p>
<p>-I live in Maryland, but even with instate tuition, I think UMBC is too expensive for what they have academically and socially. </p>
<p>-UMBC is a commuter school.</p>
<p>-UMBC is adding more beds instead of constructing new dorms to deal with increased enrollment.</p>
<p>-class sizes are larger at UMBC </p>
<p>-UMBC campus seems a bit more spread out (in my opinion)</p>
<p>-UMBC is a very math/science oriented school, not what I want</p>
<p>I think TCNJ is an overall better school and the IMM program seems really good.</p>
<p>Oh, and TCNJ has more girls :P</p>
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<p>Right now, I’m trying to decide whether to go to TCNJ and major in IMM or go to Montgomery College (my local 2 yr. community college) and major in Computer Gaming and Simulation. However, MC’s gaming program ([YouTube</a> - MC Computer Gaming & Simulation Program](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXnKI9K_A-4]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXnKI9K_A-4)) doesn’t seem as complete as TCNJ’s. </p>
<p>It’s difficult for me to decide because I got a full scholarship at MC in the Montgomery Scholar’s program (it even includes a summer abroad trip to Cambridge) and TCNJ is pretty expensive (at least in comparison).</p>
<p>hey i’m also considering tcnj, but not for game design. plus i’m pretty sure i know who you are original poster (creepy? probably. haha)</p>
<p>i know what you mean about wanting to get out of new jersey. i feel the same way. if you have a gut feeling about going to tcnj over maryland or other way around, go with your gut.</p>
<p>My first name is Scott. And no, knowing people isn’t creepy. So, if you got my first name is right then you probably are (right about my identity, that is), in which case I have to ask who you are.</p>
<p>And if you were totally wrong, we just walk away and forget this ever happened.</p>
<p>UMBC is not known for being a very social school. To me, the location is not that great, either. It is close to I-95, but without a car, it won’t do you any good. They are really committed to research there, though, and seem to be moving fast. Well, DBlayne, Montgomery College is only a two year college, so you can’t really expect it to have everything that a four year place has. If you like the program, you should go and not worry about it. Yeah, a lot of people around here are excited about the Cambridge U study-abroad too. That sounds like a great plus.</p>