<p>Hello, I am a current first year architecture student at UT San Antonio working towards my license. At UTSA they provide the BS.Arch + M.Arch. I chose UTSA because I can stay home, pay a lower tuition, and overall save money. However I realized that UTSA is barely ranked in the top 100 architecture schools and their curriculum is completely different from other schools. UT Austin, the hub of the UT schools is a completely different structure than UTSA. Is UTSA a good architectural education or am I getting what I paid for? Since I want to stay in San Antonio, should I get my BS.Arch at UTSA and get my M.Arch somewhere else or transfer now to a other school with a BS.Arch or B.Arch. I want to stand out to firms and be able to find a job. I don't want grads from Austin and Houston to come to San Antonio when their industry is full and take all local jobs. Will employers hire from UTSA or a bigger school? Originally I wanted a background in an other part of the industry so I would be more knowledgeable and would stand out. I was going to double major in construction or civil engineering with architecture but it took too long at UTSA. It is also difficult to minor with a major in architecture. Is UTSA limiting me? UT has a program in a dual B.Arch and BS. in architectural engineering, a 6 year program, the same length as UTSA's program but without a masters and engineering added. Would this be worth it? Austin is only 2 hours away, a good reputation, and the science side of construction that I couldn't get in San Antonio. Should I stay with UTSA for a BS.Arch and go some where else for a M.Arch, transfer now to another BS.Arch or B.Arch program or go to UT and major in architecture and engineering. Thank you for your time.</p>
<p>jritch, I don’t know anything about UT San Antonio so I can’t comment on the value of the program vs any other. I would note, however, that commuting 2 hours each way to Austin doesn’t sound doable. If you transferred would you be able to afford living on or near campus? To me, this would be the biggest issue in deciding whether to transfer to UT Austin, no matter what the degree.</p>
<p>My advice would be to talk to the advisers at your school about opportunities for jobs and internships during your school years and post graduation. Ask them what their current BS students and alumni/ae have done. This is what’s will help you get your foot in the door with San Antonio firms.</p>
<p>I would also do some research to find out what MArch programs UTSA BS grads have attended, and conversely if UT Austin regularly admits UTSA BS grads into their MArch program.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply. It helped. I will stay at UTSA for my BS. and will either get my M.Arch at UTSA or somewhere else. Thanks again.</p>