Games are *everywhere* these days. You can't be a kid and not play Minecraft, VR/AR are the newest things in the tech sector, esports are selling out stadiums, and everyone from hospitals to opera houses are using games to engage and interact. Games are the newest form of storytelling and art, but also at the forefront of research breakthroughs. They're changing how we live, work, and play. We're on the brink of a social revolution!

The industry is an infamously hard place to break in to (and stay in). Jobs openings for game developers in AAA are hard to find, but jobs in other gaming-related fields are growing (especially in VR/AR). Today's definitions of a video game and video game creator are completely different than they were - and there are so many more ways to work in games than AAA these days! There's the infamous indie side hustle, a boom in the demand in academia, and many non-game companies, nonprofits, and even the government are now hiring game designers! There are also adjacent fields in tech, media, and the arts that your degree will prepare you to pursue as well - you're just learning those skills through the lense of game development and esports! And we won't leave you hanging. We assist with internship and job placements.

You should expect ~6 hours a week. This includes your night section (and Wednesday afternoons for first-year students), trips, and group/solo work. Hours will vary from week to week, but you will know far in advance!

Exploration students in all sections meet virtually Wednesdays from 1-3PM ET in addition to their main section. NYC section meets Friday night from 7PM-9PM ET in-person at City College. National section meets one weekday night a week from 6PM-7PM PT / 9PM-10PM ET virtually. This changes each year based off of the group's availability If you are intersted in starting an in-person section on your campus or in your city, please reach out to kyra@egdcollective.org

Yes. If you are a CUNY student, you will need to pursue a dual concentration. Please see "CUNY Section" FAQ for more info about pursing a dual concentration.

EGD's Fellowship programs are free for EGD voting members. If you are not an EGD member, acceptance into the program will be contingent on you becoming an EGD voting member, which costs $10 a year.

Yes! The NYC section runs on Friday nights because most students end their courses ~5PM on Fridays. If you have religious obligations, please note that in your application and we will excuse you from participating on those days. Although Friday nights are a main component of the program, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to take advantage of!

You do not. It's actually highly suggested that you apply as soon as you commit to a college. You do not need to choose a concentration until the end of Exploration, so apply early! If you have already been accepted into any CUNY community college or senior college, you may apply to the CUNY section the program.

Yes! We will accept students into the program conditionally. However, your GPA must be raised to a 2.8 by the end of your first year in the program.

Yes! Please list your expected graduation semester in your application so we can place you in the correct studio group or academic plan.

Students in their final semesters completing a relevant degree, with a strong track record of experiences in their chosen discipline, will be admitted to our Transitional Program. We ask that seniors applying submit their resume. For students in their final semesters of school interested in the Fellows program who are not completing a relevant degree, we suggest completing your current degree and entering a second degree program at your school, or a games masters program - and then applying to GSP or EMP. This will ensure you get enough experience, while not needing to do 4 more years of school. CUNY students that are willing to take an extra year to matriculate into CUNY BA may do so, but we suggest doing CUNY BA as a second degree if your degree wasn't relevant so you can still get recognition for your unrelated degree.

They might be! We will work with you to find the degree program at your school that most closely aligns with your career goals. If your college does not have an official program related to your chosen concentration, many schools have an interdisciplinary program - you most likely will be studying within that department. CUNY section Concentrations are not *technically* majors, but are basically the same! You will be awarded a Bachelors of Arts or a Bachelors of Science, degrees are accredited and conferred by the CUNY Graduate Center, and you will list your concentration name on your resume where your major would be.

You can safely be undecided until around the end of your sophomore year! Although we push students to pick a concentration after the end of freshman year so you can begin foundational courses, many concentrations share core classes - so you won't fall behind if you need another year to figure it out.

Careers in games generally require high specialization. A dual concentration will function in your academic plan as a double major, so you come out highly skilled in both areas of interest. Dual concentrations will require more planning, so if you want to pursue it, it's best you start your studies before 60 credits (end of sophomore year). You will need two faculty mentors, one for each concentration. For CUNY Section students, you can do a dual concentration through CUNY BA.

Switching your concentration is just as hard as switching your major. It is possible, but you may need to take an extra semester or two depending on how far into your studies you are. If you are unsure about which concentration you'd like to pursue, we reccommend not declaring it outright and taking the time to work with our advisors to figure it out!

We process applications in batches every month over the summer, and every other month during the semester. If you have not recieved an email after 60 days, shoot us an email!

Your application will be processed for the next upcoming semester! We accept Fall students up until the last week of September, and Spring students up until the last week of January. You can request an appointment with an advisor before applying if your course registration date is coming up soon!

Nope! We'll work with you to find an advisor.

CUNY BA students are highly motivated; the average GPA of entering students is 3.35. CUNY BA accepts most credits students have previously taken (up to 90, including military, IB and AP credits) and apply them to degree requirements. Students know their remaining degree requirements on their first day in CUNY BA! Enrolled students can apply for life experience credits. You’ll be able to apply for financial aid and scholarships at your home college. You’ll also be able to apply for CUNY BA's scholarships! Not only is CUNY the most affordable university in New York, with so many flexible options for earning credit through CUNY BA, it's the most cost-effective. Students enrolled in a CUNY community college can apply to CUNY BA and start working on their B.A. or B.S. degrees immediately. Up to 68 community college credits can be accepted. Enjoy all the benefits of your home college and CUNY BA! Each student works with a full-time CUNY faculty member and a designated academic advisor. CUNY BA offers workshops on applying to graduate school, applying for major fellowships, studying abroad, and others based on student interest. Students have access to CUNY courses in all five NYC boroughs, in addition to amazing internship opportunities. Select the courses that interest you most. Take advantage of independent study, internships, honors courses, study abroad, graduate-level courses and credit-by-exam. Go to school part- or full-time; day, night, weekend or online. Get the degree that will work for you: 80% of CUNY BA alumni report they are working in positions related to their self-designed areas of concentration! And 99% say they enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.

No. The EGD Collective is an independant nonprofit organization, run by some very dedicated CUNY students and alumni! We work to remove barriers in games communities and makie the industry a more accessible academic and career opportunity for all. EGD supports casual gaming communities, as well as aspiring and early-career games professionals by powering public-facing student-led organizations on state college and university campuses. EGD provide free events, educational programming, and support systems to help students navigate through academic, financial, and emotional crises - ensuring students can complete their education and are prepared to establish healthy workplace boundaries in whichever field they choose. The first EGD member college was founded at CUNY Hunter College in 2016, and we've been here ever since!

Yes! CUNY BA awards joint degrees with MHC.

This should not be the case if games are something you really want to pursue. Students with a low GPA are often in their first year of study, or were taking classes/majoring in something they did not have an affinity for or enjoy. We'll help you find your calling and raise your GPA if you've had a rough semester (or a few). You may need to take an extra semester or so to get back on track, but you can do it!