<p>GamerGal, I found your list interesting and thanks for sharing it. The game industry appears to be much like the entertainment industry, where many will work freelance or from project to project. It helps to be entrepreneurial, good at making contacts and have some sort of self-marketing ability. OTOH, there are several job tracks in game development and I have noticed over time that there seems to be a difference in hireablity and longevity (as well as burn out) between coders and engineers, game and level designers, artists, and producers. I believe those who have education and skills in programming and CS (in addition to design) do find the most opportunities in a very active job market. It has been eye opening to watch the new grads as they are literally inundated with multiple job offers before graduation–both SC (Games) and SCA IMGD grads. My older son had excellent opportunities, contacts, mentors and advice every step along the way. </p>
<p>I have mentioned over and over again how many terrific students apply for a very limited number of openings. I like to remind SCA applicants the true story that Steven Spielberg was rejected from USC SCA three times. I mean–that man did just fine in his career, and it would seem the admission committee overlooked a fine filmmaker. So. OTOH, this and several other schools mentioned will be a gathering place for like-minded game designer types, and in that rich environment, meeting peers who spur each other on creatively, these programs help promote the best sort of pre-professional goal setting. In the case of my S1, he is sort of a Renaissance-type, so wanted challenging academics, art and arch classes, a chance to study abroad, a diversity of students outside of gamers, and lots of game industry connections–so USC was a really nice fit. S2 is a whole different kind of game designer than S1, and I think I’ve learned that USC is attracted to a very wide range of interests–so not all AAA first-person shooter fans. LOL. </p>
<p>Anxiety is my middle name and why I pushed my son to apply EA to three of his colleges. I feel a bit calmer knowing WPI is in the bag and with decent money.</p>
<p>Have any of you guys actually looked at the USC CS (Games) course schedule? It is very intense. It doesn’t seem as though there is any room for a minor (son would like music/sound design) nor much room for taking any of the cool IMGD couses (electives or as a minor). I know my son is very career driven but that program just seems so over the top to me.</p>
<p>However they do basically come away with a job. I just want my son to look forward going to class everyday. I am waffling again. I am very good at that.</p>
<p>Maybe we should create an anxiety support group. Lol</p>
<p>I actually feel very different from most posting members. I want to help my Son get the most choice possible, but I think he will do fine whichever place he goes. Even if it is the his lowest backup. I do want to see him mentally challenged though, only for that reason do I push him at all.</p>
<p>I am also the anxious one who pushed for the EA decisions. I also think that over 4 years, he may well be happier in a traditional college environment. He’s very social and athletic. All he sees are the academic programs, and hthate wants the most directly relevant one. That could be DigiPen. </p>
<p>He is very much a CS kid and has written his own first person shooter engine. I guess we should cross our fingers for USC.</p>
<p>@seattle_mom - my son is a lot like yours! Athletic (well, just in the pool, but still…), but kind of a “renaissance” guy too. In fact, just today we learned that he won the school’s “poetry reading competition” and will be competing at the state level in a few weeks. And the other day he was bemoaning the fact that his school doesn’t have any more history electives that he can take. I am worried that if he doesn’t get into USC, he’ll end up at DigiPen and be unhappy after a few months, with no ability to transfer credits (right?) and basically out a semester’s or a year’s tuition, having to start all over. (Even without transfer credits, if he gets good grades at DigiPen, do you think he might be able to transfer to USC? Never heard of anyone doing that. We did meet a guy at DigiPen who had transferred from Drexel, and he was very happy with his decision.)</p>
<p>I’m not sure about the transferring of credits from DigiPen. It’s a good question. They do offer a full BSCS but the English & Writing are extremely career focused. That appeals to my son, now, but I’m not sure it’s best in the long term.</p>
<p>We actually live close enough for him to commute to DigiPen, which saves some money but really provides a very different experience from his other options.</p>
<p>@GamerGal27: USC CS (Games) doesn’t allow for much in way of a minor unless you enter with a lot of units (AP or college credit) or take an extra semester or two. Also, pending curriculum changes will make it very difficult to take any of the cool IMGD electives.</p>
<p>@psydent He comes in with 7 APs. It is unclear how many will apply to the core. It looks like AP Calc BC and AP Physics may be used. It really is a jam packed curriculum. But I am putting the cart before the horse.</p>
<p>About 25 years ago, Utah was one of top two or three places to go for anything related to computer graphics. It mostly had to do with a computer graphics company called Evans & Sutherland being based in Salt Lake City.</p>
<p>I notice that USC is clearly the best despite dropping to second in the last ranking.
Utah looks like up-and-coming, and not necessarily coming on top “out of nowhere”. They have been creeping up over the last couple of years.
MIT probably does not focus on trying to top this ranking.</p>
<p>Sorry for not including WPI, RPI, Digpen and others since my son did not apply there.</p>
<p>When does the new ranking come out? If it follows the last 4 years, will come out first half of March.</p>
<p>MIT is normally at the top of things and deservedly so. Not just because people like to rank them high. My son is a longshot to go there, and even if accepted, may not go due to finances. If USC accepts my son, then it is my top choice, since I also know he would get the 1/2 tuition NMF, and it is #1 in general for game design.</p>
<p>I just find it amusing that MIT doesn’t have an undergraduate program but still ranks high on the list of undergraduate programs. They have some courses and some recommendations, but no “undergraduate program”.</p>
<p>(Nothing against MIT, I have a degree from there myself.)</p>
<p>@seattle_mom I just checked out the MIT “program” and you are so right! How funny is that? Just goes to show that the method they used for the ranking may be a bit wonky.</p>