Selective
Carnegie Mellon Summer: National High School Game Academy
Overview
A six-week residential program where high school sophomores and juniors develop video games in teams using industry best practices. Students work in specialized roles (programmer, visual artist, sound designer, or generalist) to create original game prototypes suitable for college portfolios.
At a glance
Deadline
Feb 181 days
Sessions
Jun6 wk sessions
Formats
Residential
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Cost
$7,000+from $13,281
Entering grades
10th, 11th
Acceptance
Selective admission; competitive process emphasizing portfolio quality, academic performance (minimum B average), and collaborative capability.
Application requirements
Age
Must be at least 16 years old by June 20, 2026
Grade Level
Must be entering 10th or 11th grade at time of application
GPA
Minimum 3.0/4.0 (B average) required
Transcript
Unofficial transcript required
Standardized Test Scores
Optional
Letter of Recommendation
One letter of recommendation required
Essay 1
What do you hope to gain from Pre-College Programs? (300–500 words max)
Essay 2
Tell us about your favorite game—why is it fun? What emotion did you feel? Why? (300 words max)
Portfolio/Work Samples
Submit 6–10 examples as direct PDF uploads labeled with title, medium, description, and what applicant learned. Track-specific: Software Development (code samples + gameplay video); Visual Arts (6–10 images showing anatomy, light, perspective); Sound/Music (recordings, sheet music, or DAW screenshots ~30 seconds); Game Generalist (work in any creative field)
Full Attendance
In-person attendance from orientation through final presentations mandatory; missing critical days or failure to complete homework results in removal without refund
Conduct
Zero-tolerance policy for disrespectful or inappropriate behavior toward other Pre-College students; immediate dismissal without refund
Laptop Access
Each student must have access to personal laptop meeting minimum system requirements for game development tools
Cost & sessions
Residential tuition $13,281 for 2026. Application fee $50 non-refundable. Enrollment deposit $800 non-refundable (scholarship recipients pay $100). Full scholarships covering tuition, housing, and dining available for students demonstrating financial need (apply by Early Deadline); international students not eligible for scholarships.
Financial aid
Full scholarships covering tuition, housing, and dining available to students demonstrating financial need. Must apply by Early Deadline (February 1). Scholarship recipients receive $100 enrollment deposit. International students are not eligible for scholarships.
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