My semester checklist

Course targets

• Review my current course schedule in Albert against the IDM degree plan and confirm how the credits apply.

Semester actions

• Meet my Tandon advisor and map all 20 AP credits to the IDM degree audit.
• Sign up for a January 2027 J-Term course that fits my degree plan.
• Confirm the Computer Science minor pathway and Tisch Game Design minor requirements.
• Attend the Hypergryph NYC career fair; ask about Summer 2027, daily internships, class-year eligibility, Mandarin, and Shanghai work authorization.
• Apply to Endeavor by October 7 if eligible; monitor Riot internship postings.
• Create a basic portfolio and publish one project page.

Course targets

• DM-UY 1113 Audio Foundation Studio
• DM-UY 2193 Intro to Web Development
• DM-UY 2263 Still and Moving Images
• EXPOS-UY 22 Advanced Writing for Engineers
• Choose an outstanding math, science, or humanities requirement after checking AP equivalencies.

Semester actions

• Build a small playable game prototype.
• Join a game jam, IDM team project, or student organization and document my contribution.
• Update my resume and portfolio; practice interview basics.
• Check SIE Tokyo and Hypergryph internship eligibility, language, and work-permission requirements.
• If I don’t get an internship, line up a studio, research, QA, campus media-tech, or portfolio project experience.

Course or experience targets

• Complete Internship 1; if that doesn’t happen, finish a polished game prototype or substantial studio/research project.
• Optional: take GAMES-UT 150 Intro to Game Design only if it fits the degree plan and does not conflict with an internship.

Semester actions

• Set internship learning goals and request midpoint and end-of-summer feedback.
• Keep a non-confidential log of accomplishments and skills.
• Write down strengths, skill gaps, and what I want Internship 2 to add.

Course targets

• PH-UY 1213 Motion and Sound
• MD-UY 2014 Foundations in Digital Culture
• One DM-UY 2/3/4XXX studio elective
• Outstanding math, science, humanities, or social-science requirements identified in my audit
• GAMES-UT 150 Intro to Game Design, if not taken in summer and advisor-approved

Semester actions

• Continue CS prerequisites and IDM courses in the approved sequence.
• Make a collaborative project with a playable build, version control, and a short postmortem.
• Start applying for Summer 2028 internships early.

Course targets

• CS-UY 1114 Intro to Programming & Problem Solving, unless NYU confirms AP CSA satisfies this requirement
• PH-UY 1223 Electricity and Light
• Two DM-UY 2/3/4XXX studio electives
• Outstanding math, science, or humanities elective(s) from my audit
• GAMES-UT 180 Intro to Programming for Games, if prerequisites, access, and course load allow

Semester actions

• Check the degree audit and both minor plans before registration.
• Create a second portfolio piece in engineering, technical design, UX, or production.
• Apply for Summer 2028 internships and request references early.

Experience targets

• Complete Internship 2 or substantial studio/research experience with ownership of a deliverable.
• Ask what work I may describe in a portfolio without sharing confidential information.
• Compare the experience with target SIE roles and list remaining skill gaps.

Course targets

• CS-UY 1134 Data Structures and Algorithms, after CS-UY 1114 or an approved equivalent
• One DM-UY studio elective
• Remaining culture/media-studies requirement
• Math, science, humanities, or free elective(s) from my audit
• GAMES-UT 120 Intro to Game Development or another eligible Game Center course

Semester actions

• Write a portfolio case study with the problem, constraints, process, tests, and result.
• Attend game-industry talks or events and maintain professional contacts.

Course targets

• CS-UY 2124 Object Oriented Programming, after CS-UY 1134 with C− or better
• One DM-UY studio elective
• Remaining math, science, humanities, or free elective slots
• One additional approved GAMES-UT course if needed to complete the 16-unit Game Design minor

Semester actions

• Audit remaining major, minor, and core requirements; verify graduation term.
• Apply for Summer 2029 roles if useful and discuss references with mentors.
• Compare CS or AI master’s programs only if they serve a defined career or research goal.

Experience targets

• Pursue a third internship, research role, shipped game, or paid technical/design role if it improves readiness.
• If not in a role, close skill gaps and prepare the capstone portfolio.

Course targets

• DM-UY 4173 Professional Practices for Creatives
• MD-UY 2314 Interactive Narrative
• One DM-UY studio elective and remaining core/free electives
• One advisor-approved 3-credit CS-UY elective for the CS minor

Semester actions

• Apply to SIE and comparable full-time roles on their recruiting timelines.
• Ask an industry mentor to review my portfolio and playable builds.
• Compare job offers by role, team, location, compensation, and growth.
• If the job pipeline is weak, prepare CS/AI graduate applications and funding options.

Course targets

• DM-UY 4003 Senior Project in Digital Media
• Remaining math, science, humanities, and free electives from my audit
• One advisor-approved 4-credit CS-UY elective if still required for the CS minor

Semester actions

• Confirm degree and both minor audits; resolve outstanding requirements.
• Choose a suitable full-time offer or proceed with the best-fit graduate program.
• Save portfolio links, references, and project documentation.