So i gotta new plan, lend a hand chaps

[Curdy]

sup everyone just wanted everyone to know, that i may plan on going to college/uni in the states or canada so it would be of help if anyone could explain how things work on the other side of the pond, college/uni wise that is.

[uuntiltheendd]

what do you want to know? how things work? like how to get into a university?

[Curdy]

well tbh all aspects would be great too know

such as admissions, graduating etc etc

[loka]

Curdy, foreign students are handled differently from those who are in the U.S. already. It depends on the school. I assume you'll be going for a 4 year school? 4 years = bachelors; 2 years = associates. It also depends on your credits. My major total I needed 120 credits = 4 years of school. You'll find you'll have to take summer classes if needed to finish within that 4 year period. If you already attend school in England they would need copies of the transcripts from your old school, diploma, student visa. That's the first thing I think you will need to obtain is a student visa.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/usc...0045f3d6a1RCRD



College I went to with info for International Students how they do things: http://www.uml.edu/admissions/Inform..._Students.html

http://www.bc.edu/admission/undergra...rnational.html

http://www.northeastern.edu/admissio...rnational.html

Most big universities and colleges are very accepting to International Students. I know the big one that has a really good program is Boston College.

[uuntiltheendd]

loka posted some good stuff.
and you can always google info on incoming international students.


but one thing you must always remember is dont leave your drink unattended at parties

[Curdy]

also forgot to mention the course that im most interested in. bachelors in game design and simulation.

and thanks loka, where you an international student as well?

[walterbrunswick]

Well if you're in Canada, you must hang out with me and Clone (I don't think I'm very far from Clone...). No chickening out this time!

Just out of curiosity, why do you want to study abroad for that field?

[loka]

also forgot to mention the course that im most interested in. bachelors in game design and simulation.

and thanks loka, where you an international student as well?

No I wasn't an international student. I helped with the admissions department in my school cause a majority of the people who came were internationals to study engineering since its a well known engineering school.

So basically you want to look into an Art Institute for that particular degree.

[Mallissin]

Many universities and colleges offer Game Design curriculum. The most famous is probably DigiPen, which is located in Redmond, Washington, literally on the same campus as Nintendo of America. I think they're mostly an advanced learning school, though, so you'd need a bachelors in one of several degree paths before they admit you.

https://www.digipen.edu/

Many art colleges have very detailed tracks created around the design and content aspects, but are not very reliable when it comes to game programming. If you're interesting mostly in the design of game concepts, programming, etc., you'll want to go to a college that focuses more on the engineering.

Carnegie Mellon has two schools that have tracks.

http://www.etc.cmu.edu/
http://www.hcii.cs.cmu.edu/

Other engineering focused colleges with Game Design schools:

http://gdiac.cis.cornell.edu/
http://www.gsas.rpi.edu/
http://www.cs.du.edu/curricula_general

Most of the curriculum is design around IGDA's recommendations, who also hosts national contests and events.

http://www.igda.org/

Gamasutra, one of the most popular hubs for the game industry, also has an education site that has an extensive list of schools, but keep in mind many are community colleges or trade schools. I doubt you want to make the effort crossing the pond, getting a visa, etc. to not go to a well known university.

http://www.gamecareerguide.com/
http://www.gamasutra.com/

Another good way of learning about what schools are well respected for programming, art and design in the gaming industry is by going to a game company's website and browse down the bios. For instance, Firaxis, here in Maryland and home of the famous Sid Meier, have bios for their employees. If you have a favorite design house, check their website for the same.

http://www.firaxis.com/company/bios_home.php

As far as what you need to get into the country, the admission offices for most schools will be very helpful explaining the process. I'd contact the top two schools you want to goto and ask them both for help.

Having a portfolio really helps as well, so if you've done any playing around with game creation, even if it's tiny things like ideas, sketches, etc., it wouldn't hurt to get them together in some snappy way to impress.

Also, keep in mind that any decent game designer knows how to program at least a tiny bit, so expect to learn it and don't take it lightly. You'd be expected in the real-world to build tiny demos of your game concepts and you'll probably be on your own doing it. Getting use to doing this in college is a big bonus.

[anex]

I was just about to suggest Digipen too. Thats the best place where you can go for gaming. Also there is UAT in Tempe, Arizona. http://www.uat.edu/