Any decent Architecture Programs?

College Majors Architecture Major
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<p>does anyone know about any good architecture schools?
Are there any Architects on this Forum?
I really want to major in arch. but I cant seem to make up my mind about where to apply. Im applying to UT, U of Houston, U of Arizona, Rhode S of D, Pratt Inst, South Cal Institute of Arch, Univ of Miami, U of Kansas... I know its alot! </p>

<p>but like I said i cant make up my mind. </p>

<p>If i could hear from some Architects about were you went and what you are doing right it would be awesome! thanks so much!</p>

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<p>Gabby,
I am not an architect but I think a frequent parent poster here, Cheers, is and maybe she will reply to you from that perspective. </p>

<p>I do have a daughter who is interested in architecture and is a freshman in college. Before I get into colleges for architecture, I think I need to make sure we are on the same page here. I notice this question pops up every so often on CC and then others reply with names of colleges and I can tell that often the responding folks do not know the difference between the options for studying architecture. I have posted about this many times before to help kids like you and I should be saving my response but haven't. Here goes anyway:</p>

<p>One route to becoming an architect is to enter a five year BArch degree program at a college. You must apply directly into that program (many require portfolios, not all do). You are commiting to this major, therefore, during the application phase. The program entails maybe 3/4's of your courses are in architecture and are spelled out for you (sorta like engineering programs do). After you earn the degree, you become licensed and apprentice. </p>

<p>Second option is to enter a college that has an architecture major (often termed "pre-architecture)....sometimes this major may be "architectural studies" or simply "architecture", within a liberal arts backdrop. There is no application to it directly nor does one have to commit to the major ahead of time. The number of required courses in the major is no different than any liberal arts major. To become an architect, however, you would then have to enter a graduate school for architecture to earn a MArch. This route is often referred to as "4+2". Then you apprentice and are eligible for licensure. </p>

<p>Third option is to have any undergraduate major (not necessarily architectural studies) and then enter graduate school for a MArch program. the difference between this and option two above is that the graduate program would take longer without the undergraduate focus in this field, so it may take 3-4 years of graduate school instead. </p>

<p>So....</p>

<p>To answer your question, I would have to know which of the above options are you striving for? I am gathering option "one" above, since some schools you listed as applying to are indeed five year BArch degree programs. My D looked into these, visited one (Cornell), and then opted to not go that route. Her reasons included not ready to commit at age 17 to a field that she had not yet really studied enough to know she wanted to focus on it (though she has done a year long indep. study in this field, an internship, and other things)...it is not like it is a subject in high school first. Another reason is that she did not like the idea of 3/4's of her coursework being in her major (with not much choices), as she really likes many subjects and wanted a more liberal arts background. </p>

<p>So, let's see, if you go with option one, the five year BArch programs, some are: Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, Cooper Union, RISD, Rice, and many others (I am not as up on these types as we did not explore as many in this category). </p>

<p>If you go wth option two as my D did...I can tell you where she applied to give you some idea of schools with a pre-architecture liberal arts major.....
Yale, Brown, Penn, Princeton, Smith, Tufts, Conn College, Lehigh. Some others I can think of are WUStL, Berkeley, and MIT. </p>

<p>I have seen lists of recommended schools for architecture but would want to look each one up to see if it was for a five year BArch program or simply an undergradaute major in architecture in a pre-architecture mode. I can't do that right now but make sure with each college that you check out which t ype of archtiecture major you mean. You have to decide if you want your professional training during the college years or prefer a more liberal arts curriculum and to explore architecture.</p>

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<p>WOW !
thanks so much !
My Godmother is an architect and after explaining to her that i want to major in architecture she really didnt cheer me on about my decision. She said it's alot of work and if im up to it then i should do it... well i told her i was up to it. the reason is because i feel i am ready to handle all the hard work that involves becoming a licensed architect. I went to a College Prep school and they loaded me with about 3-4 hrs of homework each night. I am now a Snr and have a A avg. i feel i will do fine. she explained the different processes and i am too going to go along with the 5 year program. I think that would be my best option. But im not sure which school would def be the best.....</p>

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<p>Those are all good schools--but where do you see yourself in five years? How ambitious are you? Do you want to work for a big firm--or own your practice? </p>

<p>Do you want to stay in Texas? How hard is it to get into the school of architecture at Texas? That's a six year program, right? Do you need different portfolios?</p>

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<p>Hi Gabby!</p>

<p>I agree with 95% of what the the previous posters said, except that even in the 4 + 2 programs you get a very heavy dose of architecture during your undergrad years. The number of required credits for the major is much larger than in humanities or social sciences majors, for example.</p>

<p>My daughter is a freshman studying arch at Carnegie Mellon (5 year B. Arch.) and she loves it so far. She was also accepted to U of Va, MIT, U of Md., U. of Florida arch programs and we did extensive comparison of these, including visits to most. MIT's undergrad arch program (4 + 2 model) was amazingly unfocused and amorphous and my daughter ruled it out. U of Md.'s program (4+2) is mediocre, U of Florida's program (4 + 2) is arty (as opposed to structured, engineering) and we had some concerns about the undergrads being very minor there relative to the grad students in terms of faculty attention, studio space, etc. She did not like the stuffiness of U. of Viginia (another 4 + 2) overall. When we visited Carnegie Mellon and heard the in-depth architecture spiel, she LOVED it. It is very balanced and coherent and she believes will prepare her to BE an architect practicing out in the world. It has art, engineering, history, and environmental science. (She did not feel this way about MIT, whose program seemed just a warm-up for the REAL program, which is the M. Arch.). </p>

<p>It is true that Arch students are allowed very few electives, but my daughter did place out of calculus and that gives her one more. Arch itself encompasses so much that you can almost feel like you had a liberal arts education--physics, math, history, drawing, computer modeling, statics are all required. </p>

<p>I hope these points are helpful to you!</p>

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<p>Nan, it is great that your daughter found the perfect match for what she wanted. Carnegie Mellon has a great program. It was on my D's original list to visit but when she ruled out a five year BArch degree, we did not end up going. I am going to CMU with my other daughter who is auditioning for their very competitive musical theater program (they take six girls, eek). </p>

<p>I think your post gives a very accurate picture of both the field and of the college options. Indeed, architecture is a field that is interdisciplinary in nature. That is one of the main things that drew my daughter to it as it combined several of her areas of interest as well as skills/strengths. I recall her even writing about that once on some college thing. She opted for a 4+2 thing because she was not fully ready to commit to architecture in the way that a five year BArch program requires. She is quite interested in this field but did not feel 100% sure it would be her major or career yet. As well, she still liked the idea of a more liberal arts undergraduate degree. You are right that the architecture major in a BA setting is not nearly as intensive as the training in the five yr. professional degree and comes later in the MArch program. For my daughter, this was her best fit. I can tell by reading your account, that the five year BArch degree is truly the best fit for your daughter cause she was postiive she wanted the intensive professional training in this commited field now. I have a child like that who is going for BFA degree programs in musical theater (current applicant) and like your D, that is a commitment NOW to a major and a very intensive program that is not liberal arts and is a professional degree. The other option is a BA degree in theater and going for a MFA later. But she KNOWS she wants this field (has since nursery school) and wants the intensity of the professional degree program now, though wants some liberal arts in addtion to the conservatory style training. That is why UMich and NYU are her top choices at the moment because they offer the professional conservatory training but a bit of liberal arts too. CMU offers a little less in that regard but happens to be one of the TOP programs in her field along with the schools I just mentioned. </p>

<p>I am glad you posted because you have demonstrated through first hand experience the difference between opting for the five year BArch program and the liberal arts BA in architecture and which type of kid should go for which option. </p>

<p>Susan
(right now my D is taking History of Art and Architecture and also Intro. to Engineering and like your D was able to place out of some math levels.....she just won't have as many of the design studios that a program like your D will have....though hopes to take some at RISD)</p>

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<p>I wish we could save this thread somewhere. Soozievt is right - this is a question that gets asked again and again and this is an excellent discussion!</p>

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<p>It's not the type of program that counts. When you get to architecture school, B.ARch or M.Arch, it's tons of fun. Takes up the hours to be sure, (students love to whinge about that), but it is non-stop fun--compared to running a practice or droning away the hours in an office whilst raising a couple of kids with h/w. One of the biggest reasons it is fun is that it is such a break from the Math History English routine.</p>

<p>The tough part of architecture happens after graduating from Fun City. Making that fun happen for yourself. Tough tough tough. Especially for women. Check the stats on female owned practices or number of females practicing ten years after graduation. Find some whose main work ISN'T residential.</p>

<p>You get one set of skills at school, but you need to be born with the other set. Gabby already demonstrates one good atribute: blowing past her mother's objections.</p>

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<p>What a great post...I wish I had all this info when my son started...I didn't know of CC then and Arch is a very confusing thing with the different options. He applied to many many schools as GC told him how tough it would be for him...got into GaTech, Tulane, CMU, Syracuse, Cornell, Cal Poly, USC san luis ob, UM, waited at Wash U, no from Rice & Yale. These are some of the supposedly highest ranking Arch schools if you want to look at rankings. Since his first choice was Cornell nd he got in that's where he ended up and he was glad it was a 5 year program as he was ready to jump into a defined course selection. He took 4 years of HS arch classes and 2 of engineering drawing and went to CMU pre college summer program so he knew what he wanted by Senior year. He also interned two summers in firms here.</p>

<p>I suggest you read Arch publications and talk to as many architects as you can. Ask some schools for an alum in your city that you could email or call or visit. My son - with me nagging all the way - kept up a few contacts we were able to make, thru a friend of a friend, at Cornell and I think that paid off. </p>

<p>Good luck</p>

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<p>Alette, Are there any publications in particular you would recommend?</p>

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<p>Check into colleges located near areas you think you might like to live. I've found a lot of architecture firms hire by the reputation of local schools. (Being an alumni of whichever school from which the hiring person graduated, is usually helpful). Locally, I do not feel it makes any difference to have a graduate architecture degree from Harvard, or a 5 year degree from the local State School. Unless you want to teach or work at the larger, well-known firms with international reputations, the particular school makes little difference. Plus after about 5 years or so, most firms hire solely on experience -- not past education.</p>

<p>If you want to teach at a college level, definitely go for the 4+2 type of program. Having the Master's degree can help. (Few pursue doctorates in Architecture)</p>

<p>Also consider what you prefer. The philosophy and quality of architecture programs can vary considerably. Some schools are more design oriented, and others more technical. Some stress architectural history, while others do not. Some include research.</p>

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<p>sorry I took so long.... my son chose Architecture Review - I believe - that was his choice ...so that is what I could recommend. Other than that go to a large bookstore and spend a little time looking thru the publications there til you respond to one and then subscribe.</p>

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<p>You can't do much better than the Chanin School of Architecture at Cooper Union. Not to mention the full tuition scholarship...</p>

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<p>Iowa State University (5yr BArch)
U of Minnesota - Twin Cities (4yr B.S. degree)</p>

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<p>What happened to Gabby?</p>

<p>Oh well, here are a few further points:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Caution: BSc in Arch, needs MArch to sit professional exam. I know because my DH has a BSc and has to get it grandfathered every time he registers in a new place. Not possible for recent grads....I don't think. Must have a BArch or MArch to sit exams.</p></li>
<li><p>While it is true that architecture firms do hire from local schools, it's partly by default. Not many Cornell grads are banging on the doors of Wichita firms.</p></li>
<li><p>Irrespective of the architecture school, the most influential aspect of a career is the apprenticeship, IMHO. In the apprenticeship, a student learns (hopefully) how to, or not to, run a successful (profitable) practice.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>An apprenticeship in a well-known office can bring rewards for DECADES. Working for a world-famous architect opens doors to clients around the WORLD.</p>

<p>It is easier to get into well-known offices from places like Cornell--but it isn't impossible otherwise. In the end, regardless of pedigree, talent or lack of talent will shine through a portfolio.</p>

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<p>This website may be of some use to aspiring architects:</p>

<p><a href="http://architecture.about.com/cs/schools/bb/schools.htm?iam=mikesart_SDK&terms=architect%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://architecture.about.com/cs/schools/bb/schools.htm?iam=mikesart_SDK&terms=architect&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>I am a sophomore in high school and I am very interesting in building design. I love all aspects of the job- architecture, construction management, and interior design. I have not had to much experience with computers besides foundation courses but I have shown serious potential in this area. I have met with an architect once before and my uncle is a construction manager so I got to spend a day with him at work. I go to a college prep school and have had some struggles in high school but I plan to hopefully finish high school with at least an average 3.5 GPA if not higher. My uncle is new to this career so this board is my best advice. Anyways, I am very interested in a 5-year committed architecture school but I am not sure where to go, or what to do to reach my dream-becoming someone of high authority and very successful in a fairly large design building firm. I have explored possible majors and I though that Architecture Technology would be a great starting course for me or good for a dual major along with a typical architecture programs however it is offered at very few colleges and I plan to figure skate competitively during college. (This sport is normally only offered at well known schools.) Carnegie Mellon University looks like a good school to me however it is missing this very important aspect and I can not part from any of my passions in life. I have so much criteria to fill, that it is hard to find even one college that suites me. I am also a serious soccer player and I would like to play either intramural or
intercollegiate along with my skating. Does anyone have any advice for me? What job could I do so I could float through designing the building, design the interior of the house, and manging the construction. As you can tell, I am a do it all person. If you are still reading this, I thank you very much for hearing me out.</p>

<p>Also, I plan on going to an architecture summer program at Boston School of Architecture one summer to work on a portfolio, and I am willing to do a Post Graduate year to gain more work in academic areas and have another summer to put together pieces for a portfolio.</p>

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<p>Gabby,</p>

<p>Kansas State University has very strong programs in architecture, including many specialities that are nationally ranked. Here's a link that may interest you: K-State</a> architecture, design programs rank highly in new survey I am not sure if you want to stay close to home, but if so, K-State is in your region. Finally, depending upon what your high school GPA/standardized test scores are, you may get significant merit aid from K-State. Good luck to you.</p>

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<p>Gabby, </p>

<p>I'm a freshman architecture student at U Miami if you have any questions. It's a great place to be if you are interested in New Urbanism. Good luck with the admissions process!</p>

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<p>I have a question. My son is a junior in high school and is planning to go into architecture. We live in the Chicago area. His top choices are: U of Southern Cal, Syracuse, Penn State, U of Cincinnati, U of Illinois (prefers not to go there), and possibly U of Kansas. I don't anticipate him living in the Chicago area after college. We just found out that to get licensed in Illinois you only need a 4-year BA or BS in Architectural Studies from a college approved by the Illinois Architecture Licensing Board. This will change as of January 1, 2014 when a BArch or MArch degree will be needed. My question is: Is this similar to other states (like CA, NY, MA, PA) or has Illinois been "behind" in this regard?</p>