Urban Arts’ free College Access Program blends practical, hands-on learning with essential college prep, helping our high school game design students approach the college application process with confidence and creativity. Our goal is to guide you through every step—from exploring majors and careers to refining essays, managing applications, and planning finances—so you are more likely to graduate college debt-free and ready to succeed.
College grads earn $30,000+ more annually and over $1.2 million more in a lifetime compared to high school graduates.
Bachelor’s degrees lead to lower unemployment rates and open doors to better, more stable jobs.
Computer Science grads start with $94K+ salaries, and tech jobs are growing 26% by 2033—faster than any other field!
Our students also earn full rides as QuestBridge Scholars, POSSE Scholars, Golden Door Scholars, and more.
Urban Arts helped launch the first-ever, four-year, public-option Digital Game Design degree, now offered at CUNY’s City College of New York! Learn more here.
Meet our 2025 Nagler Scholar, Daniel
Daniel graduated from the Urban Assembly Gateway School for Technology in June 2025. As a programmer on the Just A Mind Studio project, he helped craft a side-scrolling platformer where you play as a mind collecting pieces of yourself on a journey of self-discovery.
A lifelong enthusiast of civil engineering and city infrastructure, Daniel is “inspired by the opportunity to design infrastructure that uplifts communities while promoting equity and sustainability.” He has interned with both Open House NYC and Bloomberg Arts, gaining hands-on experience in connecting design, people, and purpose.
Reflecting on his years at Urban Arts, Daniel shares, “I’ve transformed into a confident and open person with the ability to execute my ideas and lead a team. The college prep, trips, and various informational panels were invaluable resources. I think if I hadn’t gone here, I wouldn’t really know how to coordinate, lead, or celebrate the little moments when something gets done.”
Looking ahead, Daniel envisions a future where his passions intersect. At 30, Daniel imagines himself spending “the day in a civil engineering job helping commuters get connected to public transit and doing game dev during the night.”
Questions? Email collegeaccess@urbanarts.org
