Do any of you know anything about the school - particularly about its game design and art programs?

I've read alot about it, but was looking for a few more opinions and a bit more information before i made my decision! :D

From what i have heard, it has an unparalleled Campus (particularly its "beautiful" game design sections, top notch credit classes, good dorms ect ect.

Anyone live near or attendend the school that would like to throw me some info?

Never hurts to get edumucated, but keep in mind that when it comes to being a craftsman (and being a programmer is awfully close to being a skilled craftsman) your connections are almost - or more - important than your classes.

Make sure, if you decide to go here, that it's the kind of place that will be able to help you get a job after preparing you for it.

I am currently enrolled in a 2 year Associates program for Computer Electronics...Which is OK an all but...boring as sin O.O

Its not very fun (personal opinion)...I guess Electron theories and units of electrical measurements arent my cup of tea :P

ALWAYS wanted to design games, particularly RPG's (I prefer the JRPG FF style) Its something i KNOW i want to do, as apposed to how i currently feel about my CE degree...it will get me a sure job and money...but i wont enjoy it all that much.

I hear a lot of horror stories about people not being able to find jobs after graduating and being left with huge loans. All my friends decided to just go to UCF for programing.

wish you the best......I know nothing about this Fullsail U.

When I graduated high-school me and a friend considered fullsail for game-design, but in the end chose Devry for it. I can't really say it was a better choice as after being here for 2 years I feel its who you meet and how determined you are to learn what you need to outside of the classes while in that type of environment. also it is a very competitive field ive had a few friends graduate and none of them are employed after months. Though if you make some good connects you could start your own indie thing with some people from there. I think fullsails a good school if you make good connections if your a loner type of guy you may as well take online classes lol.

The problem with majoring in game design is that in narrows your market. Majoring Computer/Software engineering gives you more freedom if the game market isn't hiring. Basically its get a job in the gaming industry or getting a low paying job doing something you hate rather than getting a good paying job doing something you hate.

I majored in Chemical Engineering and knew people that majored in Petroleum Engineering. The petrol guys have to work withing the petrol industry and most gas companies aren't hiring now. I can get hired just as easily as them in the petrol field and get a job at any other chemical plant.

Bottom line, try not to limit your market.

I wouldnt mind starting an indie team, which has always been an option in my mind after i have earned the proper education.

After all that is how Media Molecule and Team Ico began (for instance) ;)

Even though I went to the Guildhall at SMU for level design, Full Sail is another excellent school (though I know little about their Game Design program). As with any school, always make sure to do your research on the school. Visit the school and make sure they answer all the important questions/

Who teaches the classes? It's pretty essential that someone who is teaching you actually has experience and a lot of it. A lot of schools will hire people straight out of school (I got approached by a few schools immediately after graduating) or get people with 2-3 years experience. Make sure the people who are teaching you were at the very least senior level and preferably lead level.

What is the placement rate and, more specifically, what is the placement rate in the students chosen field of study? A lot of schools will tout a high placement rate but they're counting people who went their for design and wound up as a tester. Testers are absolutely essential and important but you're not going into debt to become. Make sure the placement rate for the school is really high, The Guildhall was something like 94% when I was there.

Make sure the program focuses on design. As a designer, it's good to have a wide spread of eduction but make sure the program focuses on the design. If you're going to school to be a designer don't have delusions that you'll double as a programmer or artists. It's good to have basic programming skills and it's great if you can make proxy models, but you generally won't be actually programming and you won't be making final art.

Try and talk to their placement adviser and see what they can do for you. With luck, they will say they will help you make contacts but it's up to you to land the job, that's the right answer. Run away from any school that guarantee's placement or says they'll do all the work for you.

Don't go to a school that has a commercial. This isn't a question but it's important. This is aimed specifically at places like Devry and Westwook college. If you paid attention to the above questions, you should be safe but just be on the lookout for schools that only want you money.

One final note-- being a designer is all about your experiences and the more experiences you have, the better designer you will be. I don't know if Full Sail requires a degree in anything before hand, but it's good to go to college and then go to a place like Full Sail. Get a degree in something you're interested in and take a bunch of history electives. Or art electives. Or programming classes. They're all incredibly useful and can only make you a better designer. You don't need to rush into the games industry, it will still be here in six years.

Boom! I love it thanks TWest, alot of great tips in that post.