<p>Hi there, I'm an international HS senior. I've just been admitted by Tulane University and am interested in its B.Arch program. But I'm not quite familiar with the quality of education in the U.S. </p>
<p>Therefore, hope you guys could give me some information or suggestion? The courses, the recognition, the career development//?</p>
<p>P.S: I'm also admitted by Syracuse but it cuts all the scholarships for intl students. So I may not be able to attend Syracuse...Is Tulane a good choice?</p>
<p>Based on your post, I think that there are three basic things you are looking at, the quality of the architecture programs, the overall reputation and quality of the school and costs.
While I am not a firm believer in the “ranking” systems, BUT I hope that this info will help you.</p>
<p>Design Intelligence comes out with an annual ranking of architecture schools. In 2008 (I don’t know 2009 rankings) Syracuse University came in at number 3, and U cincinnatti came in as one of the top 10. Both have a great reputation for architecture. However, as you know,there are over 100 accredited architecture programs in the US, and many, many students do not attend the top 10.</p>
<p>If you look at USNews ranking of national universities, you will find that Syracuse University and Tulane came in at about #50 for the past two years. Drexel is also considered a tier one school coming in at #89 this year. U cinncinnatti was ranked as a tier 3 school. </p>
<p>In a perfect world, based on this info, one would assume that Syracuse would be the best choice. However, cost is a factor for most people not just internationals. I assume that Tulane gave you a scholarship that puts it into the “affordable” category. Tulane also gives intrnational financial aid of up to 16K a year (not to be combined with merit) My son attends Tulane. His choice between his top two, Tulane and Penn State (equal in the national rankings but in the top 10 architecture rankings) ultimately came down to cost. He does not regret this decision and loves Tulane. </p>
<p>Tulane is certainly different than the other schools on your list. It is smaller (undergraduate class of 6000 versus about 20,000 at your other schools), The weather is warmer than NY or PA, and the city has great opportunities for Arch students as a result of Katrina.</p>
<p>One other thing I forgot to mention about Tulane is that it is ranked number 3 for “happiest students.” (I forget what ranking system though) My son who has friends at schools all over the country tells me that he believes this is true. He is sooooo happy there (despite the time consuming design studios), and as a mom I am happy that he’s happy.</p>
<p>Lyx, when did you hear from Syracuse? My daughter is also applying to Syracuse and is accepted by Tulane but have not heard from Syracuse yet. You may run into each other.</p>
<p>My son also applied to Syracuse. He received an email Feb 28 saying he was accepted and a packet would be in the mail. He received the packet today.</p>
<p>Hi Lyx, my daughter just got accepted at Syracuse. I am pretty sure that is where she will go. If money is not a factor, Syracuse is a good place for arch. We visited there in October and she fell in love with the faculty, the facilities and everything else. The only downside is the weather, we are from Cal. BTW, they have the best study abroad program in my opinion and their career services is ranked high up, they have a large alumni network - good luck.</p>
<p>Msheft, is your son going to go to Syracuse?</p>
<p>Not sure yet. He just got accepted to USC, which is his first choice. Penn St is his second choice and Syracuse 3rd. He just got the financial aid package from Syracuse. It is very good (better than I expected). If USC can match it (I don’t see why not), he will end up at USC. Otherwise it will come down to what Penn St offers. The Syracuse finaid basically eliminates U of Cincinnati from the mix. We are in the Chicago area so it looks like my son will be either east or west. I am not sure why my son ranked them the way he did but I don’t think he thought there were significant differences but just his preferences.</p>
<p>wait, I’ve noticed that Tulane School of Architecture’s undergraduate program is a five-year M.Arch accredited by NAAB!!!</p>
<p>Is there any one who knows this ‘strange’ program? Can I try to get into some ‘top’ and ‘prestigious’ graduate school after having a M.Arch from Tulane?</p>
<p>Lyx, we asked them that question awhile back but I cannot find that email now. They have some strange explanation for that. You should send an email to their dean to find out more. If you do well in the school, I am sure you can get into a top graduate school.</p>
<p>There are several schools moving to a 5-year MArch program. U of Kansas switched last year. Check out their website–they had a good explanation. Also, I think Kansas State is also moving to a 5-year MArch program.</p>
<p>I’m sorry to say this, but if you have not done enough research to know what is the difference between a 5 year professional architecture degree and a four year program, then maybe you shouldn’t go to Tulane. There are plenty of students who have done their research, know exactly what programs the different programs are and which colleges offer what they are looking for. Please don’t take the spot of student who really wants to study architecture (you said, "I don’t HAVE TO study architecture’) and who knows what it means that “Katrina offers interesting possibilities in architecture.” It’s not “cute” as you said, it’s critical to studying architecture at Tulane.</p>
Typically BArch programs are 150 credit hours over five years. I’ve read somewhere on the NAAB website that a program can be accredited as an MArch by squeezing in another 18 credit hours, provided 30 of those 168 credit hours are graduate level courses. </p>
<p>As msheft said above, a number of schools are in the process of phasing out their 5yrBArchs for 5yrMArchs and others have already done so.</p>
<p>Thank you all above. I now know more about accreditation.</p>
<p>And archnut, thank you for devoting your fist post in my thread. However, I must say that you words you quote from mine was more than one months ago. Now, after getting all the decisions and researching more, I’d like to say “I HAVE TO study architecture”. But I do feel sorry to let you think like that.</p>
<p>interesting…suppose your school does not have a 5 yr MArch, but b/c you can get out of a number of perquisite courses, and can fit in extra classes, is there any way to get a MArch, or maybe just a one year MArch?</p>
<p>Also, suppose that you are an undergrad, but finish early, can you take grad courses, or does this depend on the school?</p>
<p>i’m an architecture student at pratt. i’m from new orleans and plan on transferring to tulane next year because pratt and tulane have similar programs. from what i know, if a school does not have a five year architecture program, which is an accredited program, then in order to be an accredited architect you have to attend grad school. if the school is not certified then you cannot get a degree that that is valid for certification from the school. from talking to people here and from what i heard, most people in the field consider four year schools to be sort of a joke. personally, i think going to an non-accredited school is pretty stupid when you could just do the extra year in an accredited school and not have to go through grad school. regardless architecture is a pretty unique major that requires a large commitment.</p>