Full-Time Program

Full-Time Program General Information

1. The Full-Time Program is a three-year commitment, with classes running weekdays
   from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 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. The current tuition is $33,000 per year.

Full-Time Program Course Information

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.

Curriculum

Full-Time Admissions

Application Process

1. Review the Admissions Criteria
2. Sign up for a tour
3. Complete tour
4. Submit an online application

Admissions

In order to select the best 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. After an application is submitted, Exceptional Minds conducts a review of student records, surveys parents and professionals who have worked directly with the individual, and schedules a one-hour admissions assessment of the potential candidate.

• Full-Time applications are accepted as early as October 16th and admissions assessments are scheduled between January and February.
• 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.

Notification of Admission

Every effort will be made upfront to ensure the highest likelihood of a match prior to assessment. In some instances, however, applicants who still need substantive improvement may be assessed. When the results of the assessment indicate that an applicant is not a good match for the Exceptional Minds program, he/she may be notified immediately. Applicants that are being considered for the Full-Time Program will be notified by April 1st of the results and admissions decisions.

Once applicants are notified of acceptance into the full-time program, Exceptional Minds will mail a contract and tuition/deposit information to the responsible parties. Exceptional Minds must receive a completed and signed contract and a $1,000.00 deposit by May 1st in order to reserve a spot for the fall semester. First semester tuition is due by August 1st; second semester tuition is due December 1st.

Admissions Criteria:

• 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: A portfolio is required for the Full- Time admissions assessment and can include electronic (website or flash-drive) or paperwork samples. Portfolio should show the ability to create figurative and abstract drawing, design and composition skills, creative ideas, etc.
• 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.