<p>I am planning to major in architect in college so I tried to search for colleges with good architecture programs. But it occurs to me that all the colleges that I looked into are probably a little far from my reach. My cumulative average is 3.5. I don't even know if it's weighted or not but that's the number on the bottom of my official report card. My SAT is 1970, possibly better after the December test. I don't have a lot of works to show in this field so I can't provide a required portfolio for colleges that offer M.arch. So here comes my questions; What colleges would be a good for my me with a decent chance of getting accepted? Also I am a New Yorker, would NYU be a good investment? </p>
<p>Your GPA will not prevent you from studying architecture, but first you have to understand the different degrees available to you. The fastest and most direct approach is to get a bachelor’s of architecture or BArch. This is generally a 5 year program and is offered at about 30 universities in the US. This degree would allow you to proceed to becoming a licensed architect upon graduation. (You’d still have to take several exams and fulfill the work requirements.) Some BArch programs require a portfolio for admission, some do not. </p>
<p>The other path that you can take is to get an undergraduate bachelor’s of science or bachelor’s of art PLUS a masters of architecture or MArch. The BA/BS usually takes 4 years and the MArch from 1.0 to 3.5 years depending on the undergraduate degree. </p>
<p>With a BS or BA can be in architectural studies or really ANY major that interests you, art or art history for example, you can get into an MArch program as long as you fulfill certain requirements for admission. Generally speaking, you do not need to submit a portfolio for admissions to a BA or BS program, and usually don’t have to declare a major until sometime in your sophomore year. </p>
<p>There are quite a few schools in the New York/New Jersey area that offer the BArch, and a great number at which you could study for a BA or BS in architectural studies or another major. NYU offers a degree in Urban Design and Architecture Studies as part of their art history department. This would be a good foundation for entry into a MArch program.</p>
<p>If you are a New York state resident, check out the SUNYs. Any SUNY almost certainly will be much cheaper than NYU (which would be a reach).</p>
<p><a href=“Undergraduate and Graduate Architecture Degrees - School of Architecture and Planning-UB - University at Buffalo”>http://ap.buffalo.edu/academics/Architecture/degrees.html</a> </p>
<p>I would suggest Northeastern! </p>
<p>I think a 3.5 GPA is pretty decent, perhaps not enough for Cornell or UVA, but you should be able to find a good program. There a some really solid state schools in your part of the country: Virginia Tech, Penn State, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Kentucky, NC State. In NY there is always Pratt and Rensselaer, both with a solid reputation. Work on getting your SAT’s up and cast a wide net.</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>Thanks guys.</p>
<p>@JasonZzz, you won’t need a portfolio if you want to apply to University of Cincinnati. </p>
<p>UT San Antonio is easy to get in, requires no portfolio and is cheaper and does not require physics or pre-calculus. It is a great school if you don’t mind the Texas heat.</p>