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Computer Animation | Digital Media | Film | Recording Arts | Show Production | Game Design | Entertainment Business | Accounts Home Accounts from those who experienced Fullsail's Game Design Degree Program (GDDP)
Comments: I'm damn glad I stumbled upon your site before I took the final leap into Full Sail. After having already paid the $650 and getting accepted (surprise!), I had my heart set on this place to get a degree in video game programming. Paying for this school was another challenge all together. I'm now glad I don't have to go through with signing up for 200 scholarships just to pay for half the tuition (not including boarding, personal expenses, books, etc.). I even remember joking to my friends about the catalog. "Wow... look at all those cool multi-colored neon lights. I just know in my heart that those will make me a good programmer!" Anyway, I think you should make a more bandwidth friendly domain name and try to spread the word more. I'm currently planning to goto The University of Advancing Technology. They have a good game programming plan I heard, plus you get a degree that's a lot more recognizable. Thanks again!
Comments: On my graduate year of 2002 my mom and I went to Orlando for the monthly tour. Throughout the tour I really wasn't impressed since I never really saw anything that stood out. Another thing was I couldn't get the cost of the tuition out of my head. All this money and none of it covers living expenses. When I got home me and my mom were still planning for me to attend the college. However I would have to go live with strangers and well I just told her it wasn't a good idea. Boy am I glad I did. I knew the tuition increase every year was bullshit. I hope FullSail goes bankrupt and pays for their scams. Just look up at their website and see how many "Game Designers" are actually in the industry. Last time I bothered to look he was a lowly QA tester for no other then crook company Electronic Arts. Go shove it FullSail you're full of crap. Sincerely, Carlo
Full Sail is a business and they are seeking to make money it is as simple as that. It is possible to get through the entire program with learning next to nothing but if you are serious about the endeavor then the teaching staff and lab instructors, in the GD&D, are more than happy to help you reach that goal. I knew absolutely nothing about programming when I started Full Sail and upon graduation was still questioning if I knew anything at all. After talking to people in the industry and looking at source code that was considered professional I have found that on some levels I know more than these people. When it comes to the GD&D degree I can say that it was money well worth spent. I am currently setting up my own software company with a friend and we are both going back to college. If you are debating just realize that its not easy to get through this school but it is possible to get by without learning a thing, just like college.
I am a 19 year old girl currently 3 months into the game development degree program. When I am further into the program I may re-contact you with a more detailed story; however, at this moment all I would like to say is that FS has recently updated Film, Computer Animation, and Digital Media to Bachelor's programs. GDD is now called Game Development, not Game Design and Development. Also, what you mention about text books has also changed. There are quite a few more 'like you would find in a book store' books now than there were previously. You specifically mention computer animation several times, and you should also be aware that since the end of last year FS has changed admission requirements into CA (including that of a portfolio submission), as well as completely redesigned the curriculum, as you would expect from updating it to a Bachelor's degree. The animation labs were also updated to the newest computer processors in 2004 (I mean new for 2004), as well as again in 2005. The only places with outdated computers or monitors is the general education labs, who use computers much less frequently (it might have been different then, but now most of the non-degree specific courses are rarely using computers). I have seen projectors in classrooms malfunction three times in three months, and every time tech support came a few hours after contacted, and the problem was gone the next day. In my experience, and that of my boyfriend who is completing his CA associate's degree, soon to move to the BS completion, the course instructors were always knowledgeable of their subject material. There are complaints about lab instructors sometimes, but never the instructors who present the majority of your material. If anything I hear more comments about how a person's particular ethnic or regional accent affects their teaching and resulting comprehension, more than their knowledge of the material. In short I recommend you post a "Date Updated" on your page. There is a great deal of knowledge here that, while I do not discredit due to similar points I have heard before, is all in the past. You should at least make note of a link to their new curriculum if you do not wish to edit your page. And, if you're interested, I would give Full Sail a positive review. I love it here. Thanks. FullsailExposed Note: This account was written during the development of the 3rd Edition articles, which reflect the most current information available for Fullsail. There is no evidence to suggest that Fullsail has instituted a portfolio requirement since transitioning to a Bachelor's Degree program. |