<p>Hey guys, I will be a senior for this upcomming school year and would like for you all to evaluate my last classes (FINALLY).</p>
<p>AP English IV
AP Government
AP Economics
Pre-Cal
Honors Physics
CAD II (2 periods)
AP Art History</p>
<p>Okay, for my math, I know it's not that high at all. I would love to have been able to take Calculus or even Statistics, but I started off with Algebra as a freshman, so Pre-Cal is as high as I can get. Also, I know it's not an Honors class and I'm not taking one because I don't have a history of doing well in an Honors Math course. </p>
<p>As for Physics, it'd be nice to be in Physics B (AP), but I was forced to take IPC my freshman year. I am taking Honors, though.</p>
<p>Okay, with Art, Art History will be my one and only art class that I have taken my whole high school career. Have I screwed myself over? I have taken a more techincal approach to architecture and engineering because by the time I graduate, I will have four years of engineering classes and two years of architecture classes. Am I too technical minded now? I have begun to think about going in the direction of architectural engineering instead of just architecture. </p>
<p>Sounds like engineering or a different field altogether might be a little bit more up your ally-- Architecture deals more with design and creative/conceptual ideologies. Think about why you are considering architecture- why do/did you want to pursue it? Secondly you don't necessarily need to have taken a lot of art--- though it probably helps. Lastly I would try and bump up to AP physics-- but if not-- it isn't too bad. If you keep good grades you should be fine. After all this, if you still want architecture,—figure out what type of program you want to apply to, a B.arch or BA-then March1? You’re a senior so start thinking about colleges.</p>
<p>I've wanted to be an architect since the 7th grade, even though I tinkered around with making Legos and Lincoln Log homes since I was two. I love to look at blueprint from houses. I see custom houses as not just feats of design, but as the real life imagination of the owners. I want to be apart of that. My favorite unit from my Eng/Arch. classes was the Arch unit because I enjoyed designing and drafting my own homes. I see myself being an architect and having my own firm many, many, many years down the road. I don't see myself in any other field, and I don't even see myself as an Engineer. I actually left my old school's Engineering Academy because it focused on everything BUT architecture. </p>
<p>I would like to do a B.Arch then M.Arch even though I know it'll take a long time, but I think it'll be worth it. I actually have a list of colleges lined up, and I'm currently running them through a fine-tooth comb at the momment.</p>
<p>I have gotten the impression (and hopefully rightfully so) that taking architecture classes dont actually help, and things like poetry help more.
so basically, if im a really culturally aware person, do well in phys/math, have good design sense that shows through my portfolio albeit from mostly graphic work and film, ive got a pretty good shot.</p>
<p>WOW- never mind- the reason I suggested something else was I didn't really get the impression that you were all that crazy about architecture-- and that you maybe were just looking for a reasonable, good paying job that you could see your self doing well in. -- I think as long as you get good grades the math shouldn't hurt you much. Depending on which Barch’s you are applying to you might need a portfolio- which then becomes a big deal.</p>
<p>Ac37: Well, architecture classes give you that needed experience in programs like CAD, so it should help some. Um, poetry? Really? I haven't heard of that. </p>
<p>Tzar: Oh yeah, I'm very passionate about architecture. In fact, I'm taking summer school classes just so I can keep my CAD II class and take an extra year of math and science. Everyone who knows me can tell you how much I talk about houses and such. My head's always in a blueprint book or a catalogue of Modern homes, Antonio Gaudi, or Frank Lloyd Wright.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm afraid of doing the portfolio, but my Art History teacher says that she wouldn't mind helping me (She's the Art I, II, Studio Art AP, and AP Portfolio teacher).</p>
<p>Also, I really want to minor or even double major in a language (Probably French, maybe Japanese or Spanish); would I be able to do that with Architecture? I've read that the major is very rigorous and just plain tiring. I think I've read too many horror stories ^^;. </p>
<p>Are you an architecture major? If so, I'd like to post my current college list so that maybe you can evaluate them? If not, then that's okay. I thank you for the help you've already given me.</p>
<p>Post your school choices--and the city or cities you'd most like to work in when you graduate.</p>
<p>From that list, we will be able to say whether or not your non-art background will hurt or help your application.</p>
<p>In the meantime, you live in Houston. You ought to call UHouston and ask about sitting in on a few of their Summer Discovery Program juries. <a href="http://www.arch.uh.edu/prog/sd.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.arch.uh.edu/prog/sd.html</a> . I'd tell you to wait until fall to sit in on some at Rice too--but I think that may be too late for you to revise your application process.</p>
<p>When you see the way architectural student work is assessed, you will understand why art courses, and poetry courses, are important to successful design learning. Watching those critiques, you will understand why admissions committees look for artistic and conceptual talent in their new students--over and above technical talent.</p>
<p>Architecture does have a number of technical aspects--but qualified engineers assist architects with the majority of those tasks.</p>
<p>Cheers: Actually, I'm planning on leaving Houston. I've lived here all my life and so I'd like to go to school somewhere different. None of my college choices are in Houston. As for working in a city when I graduate, I'm not sure yet. I do know that I'd like to live abroad for a while (I plan on stuying abroad).</p>
<p>Current List:
Carneige Mellon (top choice)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Univ.
UT-Austin
U Miami
Northeastern
U Maryland
Wentworth Inst. of Tech
Boston Architectural Center</p>
<p>How's this list? Should I sub out any? Do you have any suggestions?</p>
<p>Okay...now I'm slightly worried. How is Architectural Engineering then?</p>
<p>I think the point is not necessarily for you to express an interest to UHouston or Rice, but that they represent the closest opportunities for you to see how architecture is: how much of it is art compared to how little of it is technical, how much beauty and composition play a role, not just drafting. They are a chance for you to see what an architecture school values in its students. While they aren't on your list, there are certain commonalities amongst the vast majority of architecture schools, and taking a visit there, ESPECIALLY if you could manage to see a review, would hopefully go quite a ways towards clarifying things for you.</p>
<p>I agree with others, your courseload seems skewed towards the technical side. Where's the art? While drafting can help you manage your work after you get in (everyone else will be learning CAD, so you already knowing it gives you at very least an advantage in time), it may not help you much/at all in admissions beyond being an expression of your interest in architecture. The school I went to for undergrad did not favor those who already knew how to draft, because many of them came in cocky, thinking that they already knew everything about architecture, and had a hard time finding creative solutions to architectural problems because they got hung up on the more technical elements.</p>
<p>larationalist: I see your point in visiting Rice or U of H. I apologize, Cheers!</p>
<p>Ai yah...this is very disheartening to hear. So does this mean that I won't be successful in architecture in the long run? This is the end of school for me, so I can't add anymore classes. I thought I was doing alright with the classes I was taking; guess not. I definitely wouldn't say that I'm cocky, though; I'm pretty low-key and humble, and I don't mind giving out a helping hand.</p>
<p>Awww--that's not true. You're too young to be doomed in architecture. If you have the interest and the passion everything will probably work out fantastically.
And by the way, if you're in the top ten percent you're all good for UT. And UT also offer arch engineering if you want that as a back-up choice.
Oh, and Rice is very nice to visitors (at long as you don't break anybody's model--which apparently a prospective student has done before!)</p>
<p>^ I'm not top 10%, unforunately and no one in my school's current row is moving. My district is known for its hard schools (My school is probably 2nd or 3rd highest, behind Clements and Austin)</p>
<p>Ahhh. I see. Ehh, it's been done before though--I know someone at UT Architecture who wasn't in the top ten percent of my not so competitive high school.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Cyberfruit,
I'm also considering some arch schools on your list, Ut Austin and UMd College Park. Can anyone tell me if transferring to those schools will be very hard, my gpa is only 2.7-2.8 at the moment (I've just switched to undecided from chem engineering, now considering arch), but I'll get about 3.0-3.1 if I do well this 1 sem or 2. Also is it true that a good portfolio will cover for the low gpa?</p>
<p>I'm also wondering if Arch Engineering still have designs as part of their study, and work. Can anyone help? I'm still trying to make up my mind between arch and arch engineering.</p>
<p>"I have gotten the impression (and hopefully rightfully so) that taking architecture classes dont actually help, and things like poetry help more."</p>
<p>ac37, in some case its true. From the infos I got so far many architecture schools don't consider highschool and community college arch classes to have the right standards. So they usually just ignore it on your application. But I seriously hope I dont have to take any poetry in college, such classes always put me to sleep...</p>
<p>Btw cyberfruit,
I can share you a little info on 1 school on your list, Rensselaer.
I've checked out Rensselaer as one of potential transfer school on my list, and to be honest I dont like it. Theres a sense of intensity among the students, socializing is tough, and Greek life is far too dominant. The unbalanced student body, over 70% male, should be considered if such thing matters to you. The town Troy is also a bit too bland for my taste, and urban city is far away. I may be biased because I'm really a social guy (people said I'm an anomaly for arch or engineering student), but if you're there to study, period, then it might be ok for you. If you want a wide ranged social life like me, you might want to go elsewhere.
Try visiting the campus and talk to some of the students to get a 1st hand experience. You might have a different opinion about it.</p>
<p>Thank you, da<em>mad</em>cow, for your advice! Rensselaer is pretty high on my list, but I have heard some complaints. I'm actually not concerned about a large male population (in my Eng/Arch class, it's every 12 guys to 1 girl, and I'm being serious), but a dominant Greek pop.? Ew. Hm, I can deal with intense and serious students (I am one), but thank you for this information. It's pretty hard tracking down people who go to RPI, but I'll try.</p>
<p>cyber,
My D will be a freshman next year and plans on diving into arch with a studio class. She has always appreciated and been interested in architecture, but concentrated on math and science in HS. She only took one studio art class sophomore year, and it wasn't particularly helpful.</p>
<p>What I'm tying to say is that while you are likely not on track for a BArch, you should not have a problem entering a BA or BS progam to make sure it is the right field for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>That's a great list, cyber. On your out-of-state list, you have a big reach on there (Carnegie Mellon) and a number of matches (U Miami and Northeastern)--and a good safety (Wentworth). Well done to you.</p>
<p>If you want to get out of Texas for a while, your best bet is to head to a different part of the country. Of all the schools on your list, I'd say UMiami is the most international. Look at their faculty list. They have a ton of faculty from all over the world. They seem to have a real focus on the global nature of the profession. I don't know if that's becuase Plater-Zybeck is the Dean or not. <a href="http://www.arc.miami.edu/people/Faculty/FACULTY.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.arc.miami.edu/people/Faculty/FACULTY.html</a></p>
<p>If you study abroad--go as an exchange student to another architecture school--the Royal Academy in Copenhagen, the AA in London, the architecture school in Melbourne. I'm not a huge fan of the American in Rome or Paris programs. They are expanded travel programs--and I think those students miss out on a real chance to meet and understand the architecture 'scene' in other countries.</p>
<p>Of course, if you can learn enough Mandarin to get to China--you'd probably give yourself the equivalent of an octane boost to your career. More than half the world's cranes are currently in use in China. That's where the big action is for your geneneration.</p>
<p>Cyberfruit, goodluck. My ex's younger brother went to RPI, let's see if I can get him to post here or msg you.
You can try <a href="http://www.princetonreview.com%5B/url%5D">www.princetonreview.com</a> for additional info, they’re pretty accurate (though not 100%), but their data are based on survey on students. You’ll have to register 1st, it’s free though so it’s worth a try.
I've just noticed you put U Miami on your list.
U of Miami, it's a pretty campus and like Cheers mentioned they have people from all over the world there. The only problem I have with it is during my campus visit there I didn’t feel like I'm in college, it felt as if I was in the middle of the OC drama my sister always watch (I'm pretty sure you know what I mean). The atmosphere is very relaxed, I wonder if serious students like you will like it there. Keep in mind I'm a balanced type (seriously studying and socializing), so I actually like it, but probably not enough to compromise Miami's high tuition and living costs.</p>
<p>"I've read that the major is very rigorous and just plain tiring. I think I've read too many horror stories"</p>
<p>Yea I've heard the same. You can check out my thread if youre curious. Can anyone else confirm this?</p>
<p>"Of course, if you can learn enough Mandarin to get to China--you'd probably give yourself the equivalent of an octane boost to your career. More than half the world's cranes are currently in use in China. That's where the big action is for your geneneration."</p>
<p>Cheers, that's really encouraging. Until now I'm really concerned about my chances of getting a good paying job once I graduate. From your comment though I'm beginning to think there's a lot of chance out there.
I never expect the mandarin I learned will really come in handy. I just did it cuz I like it. I'm polishing my mandarin now and I'm on my way to learn korean and japanese soon.</p>
<p>Btw can anyone tell me if language skills will help my chances transferring to top schools? (considering the fact that I cant rely on my 3.0 gpa)</p>