[quote name='zbell91' timestamp='1302529843' post='4797118']
what you recommend for someone who cannot afford a CS degree

You're doing it. It's only possible to play with the cards you're dealt. Play them well.
[/quote]


Ok, I guess I'll continue to do as much as I can with what I've got. That's really all I can do. Thanks for all of the help and suggestions.

DigiPen's main bachelor's program is in "Real-Time Interactive Simulation" not CS, and by all accounts I've heard is a pretty rigorous program. There are plenty of people who graduated from that program working in the industry anyway.

DigiPen's main bachelor's program is in "Real-Time Interactive Simulation" not CS, and by all accounts I've heard is a pretty rigorous program. There are plenty of people who graduated from that program working in the industry anyway.

Yeah, I believe there are six graduates from DigiPen working at Valve Software alone. That is a good sign for these game-centric degrees. I'm thinking that the type of degree won't affect my chances in the industry and I'm sure that with my work ethic I'll be able to pull through.

Yeah, I believe there are six graduates from DigiPen working at Valve Software alone. That is a good sign for these game-centric degrees. I'm thinking that the type of degree won't affect my chances in the industry and I'm sure that with my work ethic I'll be able to pull through.

The group that got hired for valve was a very special case. They created narbacular drop, which was pretty much a prototype for what turned into portal. Valve was so impressed by it that they were hired. I think it had more to do with having a great game than being from a great school, which I happen to think Digipen is anyway.

The problem with trade schools is more that their degrees are question marks more so than they are bad. There are some awesome trade school programs, but they aren't held to the same standards as traditional degrees.


To the OP, make an impressive portfolio, make a finished product, enter it into award shows, and network and your education shouldn't matter that much.

[quote name='zbell91' timestamp='1302570700' post='4797330']
Yeah, I believe there are six graduates from DigiPen working at Valve Software alone. That is a good sign for these game-centric degrees. I'm thinking that the type of degree won't affect my chances in the industry and I'm sure that with my work ethic I'll be able to pull through.

The group that got hired for valve was a very special case. They created narbacular drop, which was pretty much a prototype for what turned into portal. Valve was so impressed by it that they were hired. I think it had more to do with having a great game than being from a great school, which I happen to think Digipen is anyway.

The problem with trade schools is more that their degrees are question marks more so than they are bad. There are some awesome trade school programs, but they aren't held to the same standards as traditional degrees.


To the OP, make an impressive portfolio, make a finished product, enter it into award shows, and network and your education shouldn't matter that much.
[/quote]

That's the plan! I've been scheduling studio tours and information interviews while working on outside projects and studying. Any suggestions on portfolio stuff? I have heard that it is more beneficial to complete a simple project in C++ (Pacman, Tetris, etc), rather than have full games created in Unity, Flash, or another engine. On the other hand, a lot of companies say that examples of team work is also necessary meaning that a project of a larger scope comes across as more beneficial.

[quote name='Tom Sloper' timestamp='1302531072' post='4797125']
[quote name='zbell91' timestamp='1302529843' post='4797118']
what you recommend for someone who cannot afford a CS degree

You're doing it. It's only possible to play with the cards you're dealt. Play them well.
[/quote]


Ok, I guess I'll continue to do as much as I can with what I've got. That's really all I can do. Thanks for all of the help and suggestions.
[/quote]

Which state are you in? If you're really dissatisfied you could always try transferring to another school.

[quote name='zbell91' timestamp='1302556701' post='4797273']
[quote name='Tom Sloper' timestamp='1302531072' post='4797125']
[quote name='zbell91' timestamp='1302529843' post='4797118']
what you recommend for someone who cannot afford a CS degree

You're doing it. It's only possible to play with the cards you're dealt. Play them well.
[/quote]


Ok, I guess I'll continue to do as much as I can with what I've got. That's really all I can do. Thanks for all of the help and suggestions.
[/quote]

Which state are you in? If you're really dissatisfied you could always try transferring to another school.
[/quote]


I am in Washington. I have the option of going to DigiPen instead. The downside to that is that it's harder to get in and it's more expensive. Almost twice as expensive when you include my scholarships.

Which state are you in? If you're really dissatisfied you could always try transferring to another school.[/quote][color="#1C2837"]

[color="#1C2837"][size=2]I am in Washington. I have the option of going to DigiPen instead. The downside to that is that it's harder to get in and it's more expensive. Almost twice as expensive when you include my scholarships. [/quote]

That seems odd. There are several state colleges; University of Washington and Washington State University both show up at around $4000 per semester, and it should be very easy to get scholarships or student loans while you are in the program. It looks like DeVry is double that cost per semester. Yes you theoretically finish in half the time, but you get a specialist trade degree rather than a CS degree. You can probably even transfer credits, or at least test out of courses you have already taken.

Personally I would transfer, but I'm not you and I don't know your situation. When I went to school I built demos during a traditional educational path and had quite a few programs to show off. Perhaps for you going to a trade school and building demos is your personal path.

As Tom aptly stated: you can only play the hand you've been dealt.

Which state are you in? If you're really dissatisfied you could always try transferring to another school.

[color="#1C2837"] I am in Washington. I have the option of going to DigiPen instead. The downside to that is that it's harder to get in and it's more expensive. Almost twice as expensive when you include my scholarships. [/quote]

That seems odd. There are several state colleges; University of Washington and Washington State University both show up at around $4000 per semester, and it should be very easy to get scholarships or student loans while you are in the program. It looks like DeVry is double that cost per semester. Yes you theoretically finish in half the time, but you get a specialist trade degree rather than a CS degree. You can probably even transfer credits, or at least test out of courses you have already taken.

Personally I would transfer, but I'm not you and I don't know your situation. When I went to school I built demos during a traditional educational path and had quite a few programs to show off. Perhaps for you going to a trade school and building demos is your personal path.

As Tom aptly stated: you can only play the hand you've been dealt.
[/quote]

I have honestly been looking into UW. It may be an option and I hope that some of my credits will transfer. It may be cheaper in the long run anyway.