Architecture Colleges (b.arch) - Which one ???

Hi I’m an International Student who’s got admitted into many Undergrad B Arch program for Fall 2015. Admitted into Pratt, Sci Arc, Calpoly, USC (spring 2016),Syracuse (with scholarship of $50,000 total for 5 yrs) IIT (with scholarship of $100,000 total for 5 yrs) Virginia Tech and Iowa State. I need some guidance to help me choose the right college. Looking forward to your inputs Tks !

Definitly either Syracuse or IIT. But mostly Syracuse bro, its right next to Sci Arc and Cal Poly SLO in recognition and any money for an international student is amazing, if it were me i would choose CUSE!!

Go over to the architecture forum. Here you’ll get HS students’ opinions. @Thegrant, Pratt and Iowa state are among the topmost programs extant

@T26E4 for BArch all about Cuse bro

Your first consideration should be financial. All of these programs are good for Architecture but you want to make sure you are not always worried about finances.

It looks like your yearly costs, net of scholarships, would be:

Iowa State: $32,390*
Cal Poly Pomona: $35,216
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo: $37,473*
IIT: $40,508 (after $20,000 yearly scholarship)
Virginia Tech: $44,876*
Syracuse: $51,242 (after $10,000 yearly scholarship)*
SCI Arc: $63,924*
Pratt: $64,832*
USC: $67,212

  • school that tends to have a top 15 BArch program ranking, if it matters or you care about that

Thanks @ucbalumnus but my main consideration is not the cost but the placement and alumni network after graduation. Also should I worry about the overall ranking of the school or only the b.arch program ranking.

@thegrant I am leaning towards Syracuse too but cal poly and Virginia tech have higher ranking. Why is cal poly ranked so high?

" only the b.arch program ranking."

Don’t worry about the overall school ranking. That’s why when Iowa State is listed, people who don’t know architecture look puzzled.

You should post questions about comparing schools here:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/architecture-major/

@dontknowcollege Cal Poly SLO is notorious for being the most technically sound program, you will be using much more CAD and 3D software and technology wise stuff there

Nice group of acceptances! You should think about whether you want an art school, a tech school or an all around design school. All the BArch programs will teach around a common core of design and structures but the emphasis and focus will be slightly different. Also, you’re all over the board in culture and environment. Have you had a chance to visit to get a feel for which appeals to you personally?

If the money is really not a major issue for you, then you should consider where you might end up practicing architecture after you graduate. My opinion as a long time expat, is that USC and Cal Poly have the highest name recognition outside of the US. They are, however, very different in culture and focus – USC leaning more toward design and Cal Poly more toward tech/structures. Both are excellent choices.

Within the US, recognition tends to be regional – i.e., East coast, west coast, midwest, south. The architecture programs draw on firms in their geographic zone for visiting professors and internships. So again, if you intend to work in the U.S. think about which part of the country you might want to live in.

PS, I’m missing where Iowa State falls into a top ranking. It doesn’t seem to be in Design Intelligence’s top 20. Not that I think DI is the be all and end all, I just haven’t heard much – positive or negative – about Iowa State’s architecture program.

http://www.archdaily.com/295331/2013-united-states-best-architecture-schools/ lists Iowa State as tied for #9 for undergraduate architecture programs from DesignIntelligence rankings.

Interesting, @ucbalumbus. I wonder why Iowa State went from #9 in 2013, to MIA in the top 20 in 2015. Sometimes that happens when a school changes its degree structure, but that doesn’t seem to be the case with Iowa State. Again, I don’t have anything against Iowa State, just curious.

2015 Design Intelligence
THE TOP 20 UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
1 Cornell University
2 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
3 Rice University
4 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
5 Syracuse University
6 University of Texas at Austin
7 Rhode Island School of Design
8 Southern California Institute of Architecture
9 Pratt Institute
10 University of Southern California
11 Carnegie Melon University
12 Auburn University
13 Cooper Union
14 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
15 Illinois Institute of Technology
16 Pennsylvania State University
16 University of Oregon
18 California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
19 Notre Dame University
20 University of Arizona

I’m having trouble choosing as well. Carnegie Mellon or Syracuse.

@ztatao Did you visit? If so which one fit you best?

I visited both and like the feel of both campuses.