In the first two weeks of the program, class instruction consists of daily lectures and workshops centered on crucial skills needed to build a video game.

Topics include:

• programming in Unity
• 2D art
• 3D art
• project management
• interactive storytelling
• game design
• animation
• sound design/music composition

Please note: All topics receive equal weight.

During the first two weeks, students have assigned homework every night from every class attended that day. The NHSGA instructors evaluate the homework to assess student competence and to inform team project assignments. A typical day includes five hours of classes and two to three hours of homework.

Student teams work on a one-week “Lightning Round” project to better understand how games are created. Role assignments are thoughtfully made by faculty based on student assessments.

After the first collaborative project, new teams build an original video game. In this project, teams are carefully selected by faculty to maximize each student’s potential for success based on performance observations.

This project begins with a pitch process where the team presents three ideas to faculty, with one selection chosen for the final project. The team builds their video game from scratch using the expertise acquired in their classwork and through daily hands-on mentoring by faculty.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING TEAMS, TEAMWORK AND TEAM ASSIGNMENTS

• Teams consist of two (2) programmers, two (2) artists, and one (1) sound designer/music composer.
• Team roles are assigned by faculty based on competence displayed in class, interviews with faculty, and (for the second project) teamwork as demonstrated during the Lightning Round.
• Students are expected to perform the responsibilities of their assigned role with the understanding that team workloads assume equal contribution from each team member.
• When an applicant applies to the program, they should carefully consider what team role they wish to hold and assemble their application accordingly. Applicants may apply to the NHSGA as:
  • a programmer (Software Development track),
  • artist (Visual Arts/Graphic Design track),
  • sound designer (Sound Design/Music Composition track),
  • generalist (Game Generalist track).

Each category implies what team role the applicant seeks to fill. Generalists are those who believe their overall skill set would benefit their NHSGA teams, but are not yet certain which role fits them best. Many students find success letting us guide their development in this way.

• If the applicant chooses a specific role when they apply, they will be evaluated against those other applicants who have applied for that role.
• No team role is guaranteed as faculty prioritizes balanced, capable teams. For example, if a student applied as a programmer yet displays a talent for sound design, they may be assigned to a project as the sound designer.

After the game project work begins, we historically find teams often work at least eight hours every day driven by their own enthusiasm to complete their project. Teams often work on the weekends as well. Teams strive to produce quality work that can be submitted with their college applications with confidence and pride.

At the end of the six weeks, student teams present their games to an audience of faculty, students, and guests with feedback provided.

Games will be all-original ideas, playable on hardware assigned by faculty, and designed to become a portfolio piece students can use in the college admission process.

• Be at least 16 years old by the program start date.
• Be a current sophomore or junior in high school at the time of application submission.
• Have an academic average of B (3.0/4.0) or better.
• Have a strong interest in the entertainment industry (film, video games, tabletop games, music, etc.) and one of the following areas:
  • Software Development
  • Game Generalist (willing and able to explore a variety of roles, a highly valuable team role)
  • Visual Arts or Graphic Design
  • Sound Design or Music Composition
• Demonstrate the ability to succeed in creative, collaborative coursework and/or projects.

Please be aware that if Pre-College NHSGA reaches its enrollment capacity prior to the final application deadline, we will no longer accept application submissions. We will email any in-progress NHSGA applicants as well as post the announcement in the application and on the website.

The application for the NHSGA program will consist of the following:

• Completed online application
• Unofficial transcript
• Standardized test scores (optional)
• One letter of recommendation
• Responses to essay prompts
• Examples of applicant work relevant to their specific track(s) of interest (i.e., Software Development, Visual Arts/Graphic Design, Sound Design or Music Composition, Game Generalist)

Submission of applicant work:

Do not submit a link to an online portfolio. Links expire, break, and websites can be difficult/time-consuming to navigate. Instead, upload a document or documents.

It is greatly preferred that all documents and work examples should be compiled into a single PDF document. If this is problematic, a series of documents is acceptable. 

If an applicant is choosing NHSGA for both a first and second choice program with different tracks per choice, work relevant to both tracks should be submitted. It is preferred that each choice is supported by relevant work examples submitted in separate documents labeled for the appropriate track. Make it clear to the faculty which samples should be considered for which role.

All submitted documents and examples are to be labeled to include the following:

• Title
• Medium (if artwork)
• Description (to explain the context)
• Something the applicant learned from creating the piece

Please carefully read the details below prior to application submission:

Software Development

NHSGA games are built using Unity. While classes in computer science or programming are useful, demonstrating hands-on Unity experience is considered advantageous in the application review process. It is not, however, a requirement.

If an applicant currently lacks Unity experience but wants to study it, they can find online tutorials and submit their own iteration of what was learned. When submitting work examples, applicants should be specific about what aspects of the work sample/project came from the tutorial and what they personally wrote. Here is one such tutorial: https://learn.unity.com/pathway/junior-programmer/?tab=pathway_map.

If an applicant has built a game, regardless of the development environment, they can submit a video of the game being played. Watching the game in a video provides everything needed to make an application decision. The length for any video submission should be approximately 60 seconds.

If an applicant has a game programmed to be playable in a browser, it is acceptable to submit a link to the game to be played by the application review team. The above-mentioned video submission is preferred, however.

If an applicant applies on the Software Development track, it will be understood that they wish to be assigned to a team in the role of programmer.

Visual Arts/Graphic Design (2D/3D Art)

Applicants should submit images that demonstrate a foundation in traditional arts. Suggestions include but are not limited to charcoal studies of surface interaction with light, anatomy, perspective, and attention to detail. Pieces may include, but are not limited to, self-portraiture, portraiture, still-life, architecture, animals and pets, or landscapes.

Applicants may include 3D work, but it is not required. Submitted 3D digital modeling work should include a wireframe view.

Applicants are encouraged to submit images beyond the specific suggestions above. The above suggestions are not required, and all additional work will be seriously considered.

If an applicant applies on the Visual Arts/Graphic Design track, it will be understood that they wish to be assigned to a team in the role of artist.

Sound Design or Music Composition

Applicant submissions can include any of the following: song recordings, original sheet music, performance videos, music videos, and/or screenshots of plugin chains. Files should be uploaded in MP4 or WAV format. For video submissions, the length should be approximately 30 seconds.

If an applicant applies on the Sound Design or Music Composition track, it will be understood that they wish to be assigned to a team in the role of sound designer/music composer.

Game Generalist

Applicants should submit examples of any work that demonstrate a passion in any creative field and following any relevant submission guidelines noted above (ex. game design, interactive story, website design, 2D or 3D artwork, photography, filmmaking, samples of fiction or screenplays, tabletop game design, RPG campaigns, music performance, etc.). We are particularly interested in any creative writing samples the candidates might submit.

Applicants passionate about any area of creative specialty are encouraged to apply as Game Generalists if they feel they may not meet specific track requirements in Software Development, Visual Arts/Graphic Design, or Sound Design or Music Composition. 

If an applicant applies on the Game Generalist track, it will be understood that they are willing to perform any role assigned to them. Applicants looking for a more general learning experience from the NHSGA should apply as a Game Generalist.

Two essays responding to the following prompts are required:

• What do you hope to gain from participating in Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs? (300-500 words maximum)
• Tell us about your favorite game. Why do you find it fun? (300 words maximum)

Where are NHSGA classes held?

National High School Game Academy classes are held at our satellite campus, the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC). Students are transported by bus to and from their classes every day.

Is this a programming class?

This is not solely a programming curriculum. If students have those expectations, they will be disappointed. It is multidisciplinary.

Do I have to attend the entire six weeks of classes?

Yes. Students will be working with a team in NHSGA, with each team member having a defined team role. It is critical that all team members remain engaged until the end of the six weeks. Each teams’ efforts will culminate with a final presentation on the last day of the program.

Should I bring my own computer?

Yes, each student must have access to a personal laptop computer for use during class time to complete game development coursework. Homework is often done at night and sometimes on weekends, so this laptop computer should be available for a student’s use during these times. The minimum system requirements will be provided to admitted students during the enrollment process. Students will download a copy of all game development tools and software required for the various classes onto their laptop.