I don’t disagree with anything you stated, @psydent, but I did want to add that my IMGD son graduated with a full grasp of Unity and other relevant technologies, which he learned within the major. When it looked like he’d have trouble getting a job after graduation, he called a professor who secured a fantastic job for him within two days. My son leans toward the creative side of things. IMGD was a much, much better fit for him than CS-Games.
I believe both have strong job prospects but I think CS (Games) is even stronger given the ability to slide into CS non-Games jobs as well. I know that some transfers happen but it’s almost like applying from scratch where you have to create a portfolio and write multiple essays plus provide a summary of all the Games and/or Creative projects you’ve worked on. I can’t speak to IMGD as well as CS (Games) but the latter has a lot of requirements and is heavily sequenced e.g., you must take CS 103 and 109 together and next semester CS 104 and CS 170, etc.
@sewingdeedles Yes. You can look these up if you want:
- There are so many more CS positions than game design and creative creation positions
- CS positions usually pay more
These facts are even more stark for entry level positions.
Absolute number-wise there are not many transfers into IMGD just because it is so small. But, if 10 people transfer a year and there’s 100 students, then it’s statistically significant.
What USC TTP are you talking about?
@CCMThreeTimes That’s really good to hear. I think you’ve shared this before and it comes to mind when I say things like designers that know Unity will have an easier time.
I think it shows two things:
- In a specific case, your son was probably at the top of his IMGD class (skill wise). If you feel comfortable sharing, what AGP (Final Game) was he on?
- In a general case, having technical skills and knowledge of tools, such as Unity or Unreal, makes a candidate more valuable. This is one of the points I harp on, and sometimes may overstate it in an attempt to convey it is NOT ok being ‘an idea person’… anyway, I think your son’s story proves it: the more skills you have, the more doors will open for you.
PS: sewingdeedles, have the @ touch the username to make a real tag.
@psydent, my S would appreciate your statement that he was at the top of his class skill-wise! In fact, he really struggled with his programming classes while his IMGD peers, many of whom had taken programming in high school and earlier, breezed through. His final Oculus Rift/VR project also taught valuable skills. I do agree that CS students seem have more options out of the gate, but S went for the happiness factor, and that worked out well too.
@psydent Re: the “Reading your discussion on the thread regarding transfers into IMGD, are there many transfers into IMGD internally? @Chalonverse. Externally under USC TTP or otherwise?” see http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1632113-usc-trojan-transfer-plan.html
Just adding to the excellent info that @psydent has been offering here. There is a difference in the sort of work one will specialize in–both in college and after college–between the CS (Games) and IMGD majors. There are students who really like to code, and digging into the dev aspects, and others whose talents are with creating story, world-building, and game design. I must agree that the after-market worth of a CS degree is usually higher starting salary and greater number of positions one could fit. But at the end of the day, you’re doing programming. If that’s what thrills you, CS Games has no downside. But every semester I have seen at least a few CS Games majors transfer (or try to transfer) to IMGD. You’ve got to find your fit, your comfort, and your inspiration. Entry level design jobs are there. But UG IMGD grads also choose to form their own start-ups, go indie, do contract level design or create/sell apps, too. That’s why psydent is correct–everyone in this field needs to be really good at Unity, Unreal, etc. Not everyone wants to wind up sitting in a cubicle coding 24/7. But hard skills will bring bigger dollars at entry level.
@CCMThreeTimes I think many students struggle at times, I certainly did. I think those who hit a point of struggling but fought on will better adjust to post-college development than those who breezed through entry level and thought that was good enough. Knowing how to approach a new and complicated problem is an extremely valuable skill, both in the realms of software engineering, where solutions can be quantitatively compared, and in game design, where solutions are usually qualitatively compared.
The Oculus games of the last 2 (3?) years have had really solid teams behind them. I’m not surprised your son has done well with having both cutting edge skills & experience and a game that demos well.
@sewingdeedles It’s the same either way. Getting into IMGD is very hard whether applying as an incoming freshmen, being a USC student looking to switch in, or doing TTP and starting elsewhere but transferring into USC SCA IMGD. IMGD has very little spots for the demand (#1 games program!). No matter the mode of entry, the application is key to being considered for one of the coveted spots. Other threads talk about it more.
I sort of address it here and more valuably than my second hand knowledge, another student who successfully transferred shares his approach: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1556949-how-hard-to-transfer-to-interactive-media-undergrad.html
@madbean Thanks, and I completely agree with you. Some thoughts:
- If you don’t like being a software developer, you won’t be happy with CS (Games). However, there’s many types of software developers, so for example, you might dislike actual app development but have a passion for automation.
- Even if you do CS (Games), if you’re a bad software developer then you will get less job offers than a great IMGD major. Never rely on a piece of paper.
- Some CS (Games) majors don’t truly want to do it, do mediocre, and end up going into the fields they actually want, such as art. IMGD students can do this too. Point being, getting a degree in a field doesn’t restrict you to that field. CSGM majors can be creative/artists and IMGD majors can be excellent developers.
- Anyone with skills and drive can do their own thing, such as going Indie, and more power to them.
This is on the front page of USC: http://news.usc.edu/80543/cinematic-arts-student-signs-video-game-deal-with-adult-swim/
Quite impressive.
I think it’s a good, concise article and I particularly like his thoughts/advice, including, “For other game-design students out there, I highly recommend getting a game programming minor. I personally hate programming, but I stuck with it, and it has helped me get to where I am today.”
Hello, I am trying to speak to lalivin93 about the interactive media program. If he sees this message, I’d appreciate if he would reply and answer some questions.
New ranking just came out
Princeton Review’s 2016 Top Game Design Program Rankings
http://www.princetonreview.com/press/game-design-press-release
UofU beat USC
@rgosula Thanks for that link. It also made me re-read this entire thread. How are things going for your son as well as others noted in this thread?
My son is finishing up his sophomore year at USC as a CS-Games major and was able to squeeze in his game audio minor! There are days/weeks when he is only getting four hours of sleep a night (he’s home for spring break and slept 15 hours his first day home.) His grades our great but so much stress, so much work. Still I don’t think he would have it any other way!
He’s been looking for an internship in the Chicago area for the summer. I’m hoping something turns up.
Hi @GamerGal27 Son is also finishing up his sophomore year at USC as a CS-Games major. He also landed a summer internship at a big name Game Design company (they told him to keep it in the down low until they inform all applicants). My son is not as stressed as yours, he inherited my personality. I think he has put too much energy in the Trojan Marching Band (Trumpet). He is enjoying himself, and still getting good grades, but not perfect grades as he had in high school.
Just so the others see my our recent comments
@yoskis
@geomom
@seattle_mom
@madbean
@GamerGal27 and @rgosula it’s so good to hear an update about your guys. This is my first year without a kid at USC and it’s strange. 
My 2015 IMGD grad got a job offer in November of his senior year (from a final presentation day in a class) and is now working his dream career. Good luck to your sons!
Summer Internship is at Treyarch. (Call of Duty : Black Ops)
New ranking to come out on Tuesday March 21st:
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/game-design
USC Undergrad back on top! #1.