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    National High School Game Academy
    In-person Program

    National High School Game Academy

    by Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs

    A multidisciplinary game development program combining coding, art, sound, and storytelling with faculty-guided teamwork and original game prototypes.

    Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    National High School Game Academy at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    High school sophomores or juniors; GPA 3.0+

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 16+

    Location / Region

    Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, United States

    Cost

    $13,281

    Duration

    6 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Application deadline

    1 March 2027

    Save deadline
    ArtComputer ScienceDesign
    Accommodation: Mostly shared double rooms
    Meals: Dining plan; most meals covered
    Outcome: Two team games; public presentations
    Campus experience: CMU Arts Pass; Pittsburgh transit
    Project teams: 5-6 students
    Tutors / faculty: CMU faculty; daily project mentoring
    College credit: Non-credit

    National High School Game Academy summary

    NHSGA teaches game development as a shared creative process, combining software, visual art, audio, storytelling, and production.

    Students build skills through classes and homework before joining two different teams to make and present games.

    Its strongest fit is someone who enjoys making things with others and welcomes faculty feedback and flexible team roles.

    What is National High School Game Academy?

    The National High School Game Academy is Carnegie Mellon University's multidisciplinary game development program. Its teaching draws on methods used in the university's Masters of Entertainment Technology graduate program and combines lectures, workshops, and practical production.

    Students study programming, visual art, sound, game design, and storytelling before working in faculty-assigned teams. They complete a Lightning Round project and an original game, with public presentations and feedback after both.

    Why Succeed highlights National High School Game Academy

    • Two different team projects let students practice collaboration beyond a single group dynamic.

    • The curriculum connects programming with art, audio, storytelling, and production rather than treating game development as coding alone.

    • Daily faculty mentoring during the original game project supports practical problem solving.

    • Playable games and public presentations create concrete material students can discuss in a portfolio.

    Who is National High School Game Academy for?

    Best for

    Students who want to contribute to real game projects through programming, art, audio, or a flexible creative role and enjoy intensive teamwork.

    Not ideal if

    You want a relaxed gaming camp, exclusively individual coding instruction, or a guaranteed position as your team's game designer.

    Is National High School Game Academy worth it?

    NHSGA offers a strong way to test whether you enjoy making games through sustained production, collaboration, and feedback. Its value comes from explaining your contribution to playable projects and learning how a multidisciplinary team works.

    The workload and residential commitment make it a substantial family decision, particularly given the published fee. It awards no college credit, and participation has no influence on undergraduate admission to Carnegie Mellon.

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    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $13,281; includes College-level classes taught by Carnegie Mellon faculty., Campus housing for residential students., Dining plan covering most meals each week., CMU ID Card with an Arts Pass., Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit access..

    Accommodation

    Mostly shared double rooms

    Meals

    Dining plan; most meals covered

    Provider details

    Review the Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    6 weeks; Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does National High School Game Academy need?

    Effort level

    High, with full-time participation and evening or weekend work.

    Best started

    Begin portfolio and recommendation preparation six to eight weeks before your chosen application deadline.

    Main challenge

    Contributing reliably while accepting faculty-assigned roles and team responsibilities.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose the application track that best matches your work and interests.

    • Compile clearly labeled examples that explain your contribution and what you learned.

    • Request your recommendation early and draft both required essays.

    • Plan for an uninterrupted stay, a suitable laptop, and applicable financial or immigration documentation.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in collaborative creative technology work.

    What do students do on National High School Game Academy?

    You develop practical skills, demonstrate them through homework, and apply them to games made with two different teams. Faculty guide role assignments, project development, and presentations.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Complete pre-arrival questionnaires that help faculty assess your skills and select appropriate tracks.

    2. 2

      Study game development disciplines through daily lectures and workshops in the first two weeks.

    3. 3

      Submit required homework and use faculty feedback to improve.

    4. 4

      Join a faculty-assigned team for the one-week Lightning Round game project.

    5. 5

      Move to a new team, pitch three ideas, and build the selected original game.

    6. 6

      Present both projects publicly and receive feedback.

    National High School Game Academy dates and deadlines

    Application deadline

    1 March 2027

    Basic application; decisions are released as applications are reviewed.

    Upcoming
    Save deadline

    Programme dates

    26 June-7 August 2027

    Upcoming

    Scholarship decisions

    1 April 2027

    Scholarship applicants receive decisions on this date.

    Upcoming

    International move-in

    25 June 2027

    Arrival between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

    Upcoming

    Orientation day

    27 June 2027

    Campus orientation precedes the first day of classes.

    Upcoming

    Classes begin

    28 June 2027

    First instructional day.

    Upcoming

    Final presentations

    6 August 2027

    Full participation is required through the final instructional day.

    Upcoming

    Residential move-out

    7 August 2027

    Check out between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Be at least 16 by 26 June 2027.

    • Be a current high school sophomore or junior when applying.

    • Have a B average, equivalent to 3.0/4.0, or better.

    • Demonstrate creative interests and readiness for collaborative coursework.

    • Commit to full participation and daily in-person attendance.

    • Participate in oral presentations and extensive teamwork.

    • Meet applicable English proficiency and immigration requirements.

    How much does National High School Game Academy cost?

    Program fee

    $13,281 — 2026 six-week residential fee.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $75 — Non-refundable; waived for qualifying scholarship-only applications.
    • Enrollment deposit: $800 — Non-refundable; deducted from the program balance.
    • Need-based scholarship: Tuition, housing, and dining — For U.S. citizens or permanent residents demonstrating financial need.
    • Scholarship enrollment deposit: $100 — Available for campus spending through the student's CMU ID Card.

    What's included

    College-level classes taught by Carnegie Mellon faculty., Campus housing for residential students., Dining plan covering most meals each week., CMU ID Card with an Arts Pass., Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit access.

    How to apply to National High School Game Academy

    1. 1

      Choose Software Development, Visual Arts/Graphic Design, Sound Design/Music Composition, or Game Generalist.

    2. 2

      Prepare your unofficial transcript, one recommendation letter, and both application essays.

    3. 3

      Upload relevant work directly, preferably compiled into a PDF, with clear labels and contribution descriptions.

    4. 4

      Follow your track's specific instructions for code, images, audio, and video examples.

    5. 5

      Complete the online application and request scholarship consideration with financial documentation if applicable.

    6. 6

      Arrange any required English proficiency documentation and confirm immigration eligibility.

    7. 7

      After admission, submit the enrollment reply form and required deposit within seven days.

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    What does National High School Game Academy cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Software development

    Practice Unity programming and the technical skills needed to build games.

    Visual art and animation

    Study 2D art, 3D art, and animation for game production.

    Sound and music

    Explore sound design and music composition as contributions to a shared game.

    Game design and storytelling

    Develop interactive storytelling and game design skills through collaborative projects.

    Production and presentation

    Practice project management, teamwork, pitching, and public speaking.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on National High School Game Academy?

    A typical day during the program.

    Weeks 1 2 classes

    A typical day includes five hours of lectures and workshops.

    Weeks 1 2 homework

    Approximately 20 assignments across two weeks require around three to four hours nightly.

    Weeks 3 6 projects

    Teams historically work at least eight hours per day on game production.

    Who teaches on National High School Game Academy?

    Program Director Chris Klug is a teaching professor at Carnegie Mellon's Entertainment Technology Center, teaching game production, game design, and creative writing. Faculty assess student work, assign team roles, and provide daily hands-on mentoring during the original game project.

    Project teams contain five or six students; this is not a published student-to-faculty ratio.

    Where do students stay on National High School Game Academy?

    Residential plan

    • Furnished campus rooms: Most students share a double room with extra-long twin beds, desks, chairs, drawers, and closets.
    • Dining and dietary options: The plan covers most meals, with vegan, vegetarian, kosher, and Halal options.
    • Residential safety: Curfew rules and verified absence requests operate alongside university police and a program help line.
    • Campus and city access: The CMU ID Card includes an Arts Pass and free Pittsburgh Regional Transit access.

    Students bring their own pillows, sheets, and fans; students also administer their own medication.

    What happens after National High School Game Academy?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Build two collaborative game projects.

    Develop potential portfolio material for college applications.

    Practice public presentations with faculty and audience feedback.

    Test your preferred contribution to multidisciplinary game development.

    NHSGA awards no college credit, and Pre-College admission does not influence CMU undergraduate admission.

    Where does National High School Game Academy take place?

    NHSGA takes place at Carnegie Mellon University's campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pre-College provides scheduled free airport shuttles for students traveling alone, with reservations made through the Travel Plans form.

    CMU does not issue I-20 documents for NHSGA; international families must confirm an immigration status that permits participation.

    National High School Game Academy FAQs

    No. It combines software development, visual arts, sound design, music composition, game design, and collaborative production.

    No. NHSGA does not award college credit.

    No. NHSGA is residential only, and program work must be completed in person.

    No. Faculty assign roles using demonstrated competence and collaboration, with balanced teams taking priority.

    A typical day in the first two weeks includes five hours of classes and approximately three to four hours of homework. During projects, teams historically work at least eight hours daily, including weekends.

    Yes. Students need a personal laptop for classes, evening homework, and some weekend work. Minimum specifications are supplied during enrollment.

    Full need-based scholarships cover tuition, housing, and dining. They are restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, require financial documentation, and are offered in very limited numbers.

    Admission to Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College Programs has no influence on a student's undergraduate application to the university. NHSGA projects can nevertheless provide material for a student's portfolio.

    Alternatives to National High School Game Academy

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Join our Pre-College Mailing List
    • Campus Safety - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Absence from Campus Request - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Move-Out Information - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Packing List - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • International Applicants - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Admitted Students - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Admission - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Cost and Scholarships - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Arrival - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Discover Sessions - Presentations and Q&As - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • National High School Game Academy - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 5 Oct 2026)

    • Program identity checked

    • Application deadlines checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Fee year distinguished

    • Scholarship conditions reviewed

    • Residential arrangements reviewed

    • International restrictions reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.