<p>i'm currently a high school senior interested in the field, but with a few concerns about whether an alternate path might fit me better.</p>
<p>I'm currently enrolled in AP Calc and AP Physics for my math/science, and will take the Physics C AP test. I took a class on drafting called Design and Drawing for Production in 9th grade as a pre-req and have followed up with Arch I,II, and III.
I really enjoyed these classes but have heard in recent months that they really resemble nothing close to what you see as an architecture major. </p>
<p>So my question is, is there a distinction between art-driven architecture schools and more technical architecture schools in my colleges? (my list is below) I've heard of a school or two leaning one way or the other but don't know nearly enough about it to make any type of decision.
And yes, i have considered/am still considering a civil/architectural engineering major. While I think i could do well with the math/science aspects, I simply find architecture to be much more interesting. It might be the untraditional, studio aspect of it all, or maybe im just stubborn, and naive. i dunno. I have come here to hopefully find out.</p>
<p>My list-
RPI
Pratt
Syracuse
U at Buffalo
Drexel
Cooper Union (a longshot, but might be worth at least taking the chance)
Northeastern
Penn State
Virginia Tech</p>
<p>Justin, the curriculum of architecture schools is governed by a national body which does regular accreditation visits to each of the schools. What this means is that the courses are pretty consistent within similar degree programs; how many design studios, how many structures courses, etc. So you cannot be purely technical or purely design studio oriented.</p>
<p>The major differences lie in what gets taught within the required design studios. the only way to judge that is to look at the course descriptions and the work being produced. In some schools the emphasis is on designing buildings, other schools seem to focus more on solving social problems or developing abstract computer modeling and fabrication. Most schools will put up the work they are proud of on their site. Start looking at these projects and you can start to get a good feel for the emphasis of each school. Once you narrow it down, then follow up with a visit and talk to the students.</p>
<p>I currently go to Pratt in Brooklyn after getting into RPI, Syrcacuse, University at Buffalo, NYIT, City College, and Penn State. (Denied from Cooper Union & Cornell). I also was considering civil engineering but thought that it would be too “boring” and not creative enough.</p>
<p>I also took Design and Drawing for Production and it was based much more on CAD where so far I have been doing model making and have not really started designing floor plans yet. I’m thinking that some of those drafting skills will come to use in later on but for now it is much more conceptual, more like thinking about space and how to design it rather than just starting to design buildings. Also took AP Physics C too - good luck haha.</p>
<p>After researching, I found out that all the architecture schools in the country have to follow a strict guideline of what needs to be taught so don’t be afraid that some schools may be more art driven and others more technical because both types will teach you the same thing. It has to be pretty standard across the board. The difference comes across the faculty/the projects. For example all schools need to have a series of Design classes, history, English, Technics, Statics, Representation, etc. To get a B.Arch it is generally 5 years. I choose Pratt because they skip the general first year of liberal arts and you start architecture from day one so you really are getting 5 years of architecture rather than 4 like most other schools. Also I liked how it is in NYC where it is the center of architecture for the world pretty much and there is so many resources. We have taken field trips and had got to see buildings all throughout the city. The city is a great resource for architecture students and Pratt and Cooper are the best two undergrad schools in the city. </p>
<p>I’d say try it out and if you really feel like it is too artsy then you can always switch.</p>