About

The National High School Game Academy (NHSGA) at Carnegie Mellon University is a six-week, intensive residential program that explores the video game industry through a multidisciplinary lens. Hosted at CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), the program mirrors professional studio environments, requiring students to expand their creative possibilities through a blend of technical and artistic college-level work.

Participants are placed on teams of six with defined roles: two programmers, two visual artists, one generalist, and one composer/audio designer. One team member is also appointed as the Producer. The curriculum is split into two phases: an initial two-week "crash course" in game development fundamentals, followed by the production of two complete original games. This begins with a one-week "Lightning Round" assignment and culminates in a three-week final project presented to faculty, peers, and family on the final day of the program.

Admission is selective and requires an academic average of 3.0 or better, although applicants should not this is only the minimum threshold and by no means guarantees admission. For the 2026 cycle, the Early Deadline is February 1, with a final closing date of March 1. International applicants must submit their materials by the February 1 deadline. While the program is demanding and requires a full-time commitment, students do not earn college credit; instead, they leave with a professional-grade portfolio and experience in high-level collaborative production.

NHSGA occupies a premier niche in pre-college education, focusing on "learning to be generous with teammates" and working within a creative ecosystem to build something larger than oneself. Equally importantly it is structured to replicate a true game design company, with dedicated roles rather than the simpler, less advanced ‘everyone wears all hats’ approach of other programs. For students who are truly curious about studying game design in college or pursuing it in a career, the NHSGA is one of the best summer opportunities.