Hey guys, I'm a junior in high school and I'm really passionate about video games. I'd love to turn this into a career by studying gaming design in college. Does anyone have any recommendations for schools with strong gaming design programs? Your suggestions would be super helpful!
Hello! It's fantastic that you're passionate about video games and want to turn it into a career. There are many colleges and universities that offer strong gaming design programs, so you'll have plenty of options to choose from.
Some notable schools with renowned gaming design programs include:
1. University of Southern California (USC) - USC's Interactive Media & Games Division is considered one of the top gaming design programs in the United States, and offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
2. New York University (NYU) - NYU's Tisch School of the Arts offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design, as well as a Master of Professional Studies in Interactive Telecommunications.
3. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) - RIT's School of Interactive Games and Media offers Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Game Design and Development, as well as a Bachelor's degree in New Media Interactive Development.
4. DigiPen Institute of Technology - This specialized school focuses on interactive computer technologies and offers degrees in video game programming, game design, and animation. Keep in mind that you likely won't have the traditional college experience here, but if you're interested in specializing in gaming right away, it could be a great fit for you.
5. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) - The Entertainment Technology Center at CMU is a leader in video game education and offers a unique two-year Master of Entertainment Technology degree. While you wouldn't be in the Master's program as an undergrad, if you're proactive you may be able to take advantage of some of its resources, while majoring in a similar field that CMU is well-regarded for, like computer engineering.
While these are just a few examples, there are many other schools offering game design programs across the country. As you research your options, also consider factors such as location, campus culture, and extracurricular offerings, to ensure you choose the right school for you personally as well as academically and professionally.
Finally, you might want to look for schools that offer opportunities for internships or collaborations with game studios and alumni connections in this competitive industry, so that you can have confidence that you'll be able to successfully launch your career in the field after graduation.
Best of luck with your college search, and with turning your passion for gaming into an exciting career!
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