Full Time Program

1. The Full-Time Program is a three-year commitment, with classes running weekdays
   from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from September to June.
2. Full-Time students are 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or G.E.D.
   and must have an official medical diagnosis of autism.
3. Ten Full-Time students are accepted each year, many of whom have successfully completed
   one of our Part-Time programs.
4. While we work to place graduates of our Full-Time Program in positions of employment both
   internally and externally, Exceptional Minds does not guarantee employment to students or graduates at any time.
5. Annual tuition is $38,800.
6. The fully remote option is available for $33,600.
7. Needs based tuition assistance is available.

• Formal Diagnosis of Autism: Application requires submission of a letter of diagnosis and/or a recent IEP (Individualized Education Plan) stating diagnosis.
• Minimum educational level: Evidence of high school diploma or G.E.D.
• Independence: Applicants should demonstrate reasonable independence with transportation, hygiene, scheduling and punctuality, work completion, safety, money etc.
• Computer Fluency Skills: Applicants should demonstrate basic working knowledge of saving and naming files, Internet navigation and e-mails, and typing skills, etc.
• Executive Function: Applicants should demonstrate reasonable ability with independent planning, decision-making, time management, organization, etc.
• Ability to Follow Multi-step Directions: The ability to follow directions presented both orally and in writing.
• Flexibility: The ability to receive and incorporate feedback, change direction with little notice, use multiple modes of design to create a project, ability to try novel programs and methods, and the ability to work on non-preferred tasks.
• Artistic Ability and Commitment: Applicants are required to upload additional requirements to our SLIDEROOM portal that highlight the applicant’s artistic skill and experience. Additional requirements include: 15 to 20 portfolio pieces, a statement of intent, and a summary of experience (resume). 
• Basic Work-Related Social Skills: Listening, promptness, appropriate hygiene and dress, greetings and salutations, appropriate volume and tone, ability to work and learn in a group, and showing interest in coworkers, etc.
• Motivation: Taking pride in quality work, meeting deadlines, performing at or above the level of peers, able to work for periods without prompting or praise, etc.

Studio Track Classes – Full-Time students receive specialized training to prepare them for jobs in either Visual Effects or Animation.

• Visual Effects Studio Track students master the fundamentals of roto, keying, tracking, marker removal, monitor burn-ins,
  and split compositing.
• Animation Studio Track students work toward mastery of design, storyboarding, and applying the principles of animation.

Technical Core Classes – Students broaden their technical skill sets and learn the fundamental concepts used in digital arts
including the Elements and Principles of Design in Photoshop, Motion Graphics Animation in After Effects and/or
3D Design and Animation in Maya and Zbrush.

Vocational Classes – Students learn professional behavior, job seeking, and career planning skills. Students receive three years
of hands-on practice and guidance with resume writing, interviewing, and building a demo reel.

1. Review the Admissions Criteria
2. Sign up for a tour
3. Complete tour
4. Submit an online application and upload your additional requirements to our SLIDEROOM portal. (A link to SLIDEROOM will be sent to you once all application steps are complete.)

In order to select the candidates for our program, Exceptional Minds has established an Admissions Assessment process. Prospective applicants are required to take a tour in order to determine their level of interest in our program before submitting an application and additional requirements. After the application is completed and additional requirements uploaded to our SLIDEROOM portal, Exceptional Minds schedules a one-hour admissions assessment of the potential candidate.

• Full-Time applications are accepted as early as November 30th and admissions assessments are scheduled between January - June 2025.
• The one-hour assessment includes: a formal interview, portfolio review, computer fluency demonstration, and Q & A.
• Assessment fee is a one-time $350; reapplying students will not pay for the assessment again.