If you’re reading this blog, you’re obviously either trying to get more information on Game Development at Full Sail or you’re so excited about going that you want to know things ahead of time, which, I don’t blame you. When I was thinking about coming here, I couldn’t find anything about personal experiences from Game Dev students… closest I got was an interview on Youtube by the amazing Kid Caliente (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGv-dPLf5gs&feature=channel). So I’ll try to ease your worries with some helpful tips.
Well, here is a checklist of what you’ve got to do before you can get down here and embark on your journey:
- Commit – to Full Sail and direct all focus on getting there
- Research – all you can about any questions you may have (Live Chat for questions available on the Full Sail site) and request more information through the mail
- Make first contact – with the Full Sail Enrollment Office and let them know that you are interested in applying
- Apply for Financial Aid – starting with the FASFA (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) and then any other eligible methods (ie: scholarships, grants, loans, GI Bill (more on that later), etc)
- Complete Initial Registration – so that the real process may begin
1. This is one of the biggest decisions you’re going to be making. You have probably looked into other universities that may offer a “Game Development” program (ie: https://www.digipen.edu/), but none have caught your eye like Full Sail has. And that’s good. If you know that this is your place, don’t let anyone or anything stop you. Do whatever possible to accomplish your goal of being a Game Dev student here at Full Sail. Sure there’ll be barriers and road blocks along the way, but don’t let that stop you. COMMIT!
2. Research can be positive towards reinforcing your commitment… and then again, it could give you some negative feedback that could knock the foundation of your commitment to the ground. One thing you have to know when researching is, “EVERYONE HAS AN OPINION!” Just because you read headings along the lines of, “WASTE OF MONEY” “GREATEST SCHOOL EVER” “IS IT WORTH IT,” doesn’t mean you should change your total outlook on and expectations of Full Sail. Don’t be a follower. Walk your own path. If you have questions, ask them, but ask them with an open mind when it comes to general things like, “How good are the computers” “ Are there any good looking girls/guys?” You’re obviously going to get a mixed response. But if it pertains to school directly like, “What is the tuition cost” “Is there housing available,” then you write it down and keep it in record. The research you do should always be easily accessible during these beginning stages so that if you need to do numbers or simply need a refresher, you can just look at your records.
3. Contacting the Enrollment Office is pretty easy. Pick up the phone and dial 1-800-226-7625 or 407-679-6333. That easy. Once someone answers, give them your name and tell them you are a potential student and you want to get started with enrollment. They’ll give you a little cheerleader, “Awesome” “Alright, cool!” and then you are assigned a representative that will help you with the initial enrollment. See… already on the enrollment path and it only took a simple phone call.
4. Your representative will most likely tell you to fill out the FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for starters. This form will determine if you are eligible for any grants or loans. Which, depending on your finances, can be very helpful cause the one thing you won’t find out till later on is the hefty price tag for Game Development. Luckily for you, I have those numbers! … You ready? … Positive? … Ok then. Seventy-five thousand seven hundred and seventy-five dollars… please take all the time necessary to recover from this. I can wait. But while I do, here are some things you can look at to ease your troubles… well, somewhat. http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp http://www.fastweb.com/ These sites were made to help you find scholarships and grants of all sizes to help pay for college! Isn’t that great!? You know what else is great, you military brats!? For all those years of moving from place to place, having to make new friends and enemies time and time again… well now you can be reimbursed for your troubles. Depending on the standings of your military dependency (Mom or Dad), they can transfer their GI Bill funds to you! Isn’t that awesome? I don’t need to go into details on it’s greatness cause this site does is it for me http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/transfer.htm But I will tell you that if you are eligible for 100% transferability… you are 90% set on tuition costs, books, and living expenses. So yeah, congratz!
5. Once you’ve done everything your representative asked… YOU’RE DONE!!!! WHOOOHOOOO!!!! TIME TO CELEBRATE!!! Not! That was just the initial enrollment. Now you’re going to get down to the meatier portion of enrollment. Admissions paperwork (Applications, deposits, contracts, questionnaire, etc etc), financial aid (FASFA {we did this already, yay}, stafford loans, private loans), and finally housing (roommates, apartments{that’s right, no dorms… sry}). This will be a very tedious process, but trust me… the end result is worth it. One thing to remember, always keep in contact with your advisors you are assigned to. They are your keys to getting here.
Next post will go more into the second phase of enrollment.
Till next time.
