Architecture Programs

College Majors Architecture Major
1

<p>It's all very well to read about a program on the university's website, but experience and knowledge go deeper than that - so could someone give a rundown of the architecture programs at the following schools (and others that are good?) I've got plenty of time to evaluate schools, and I'd like to start narrowing it down. Please note that architecture is not my only interest and I still don't know whether I'll major in that or something English/creative writing-related for undergrad, but I definitely want to go to grad school and get a master's degree in architecture. I am interested in its history but mainly design. (My other interests are varied and numerous, which is why I won't go for a B. Arch.)</p>

<p>Here's my list, from current favorite on down:</p>

<p>Yale
Cornell
MIT
Harvard, Princeton - haven't looked at much, but please evaluate
(Sarah Lawrence for creative writing - hehe no need to eval their architecture ;) )
U of Minnesota</p>

<p>Any other schools with strong architecture programs, feel free to let me know. And don't forget to mention WHAT makes a program strong, good teachers or emphasis (hmm what is the plural of that word? Emphases?), etc. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Lavender, By choosing to go for a BA or BS before getting an advanced degree in architecture you’ve opened up the field quite a lot. All of the schools on your list offer a good range of pre-architecture courses. (Cornell also has a BArch program that you start at day one.)</p>

<p>Since you’re undecided on your eventual field of concentration (you and about 90% of all high school students!) the best approach would be to choose your college or university by other criteria – size, ambience, character, etc. You don’t state what year you are in. If you’re currently a junior (just guessing) it’s good to explore a wide range of options, which, from your list you appear to have done. </p>

<p>There’s tons of information available on HYPSM, for other LACs, like Sarah Lawrence, you may have to dig a little deeper. The following are a few other Eastcoast LACs that are particularly strong in the arts – studio art as well as music, theater and creative writing. They regularly send kids to architecture schools for post-graduate degrees and are prepared to help students structure undergraduate programs accordingly. These cover a wide range of selectivity which is also a good idea at this point. </p>

<p>Skidmore, Hamilton, Smith, Vassar, Williams, Wesleyan. Conn College also offers an undergraduate degree in architecture.</p>

<p>I’d also suggest you have a look at summer immersion programs that are offered by several architecture schools – a one month “so you think you want to be an architect?” information session. My son, who is an art and art history major at Williams, did one at Columbia and learned a lot about what studying and practicing architecture is all about.</p>

3

<p>in addition to those on your list:
UC Berkeley
Carnegie Mellon
Columbia
Washington U SL
UVA
U Michigan Ann Arbor
Notre Dame
Rice
U Maryland College Park
U Illinois UC
Georgia Tech
U Florida</p>

<p>possible safeties:
Penn State
USC
Syracuse
Virginia Tech
U Texas Austin
U Arizona
SUNY Buffalo
U Cincinnati
U Oklahoma
RPI</p>

4

<p>Does anyone know enough about Yale, Cornell, MIT, and UMinn's undergrad & grad arch programs to tell me what they emphasize and what they're the strongest in?</p>

5

<p>Anyone know about pre-arch at:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Oberlin</p></li>
<li><p>vanderbilt</p></li>
<li><p>wake for</p></li>
<li><p>u rochester</p></li>
<li><p>bowdoin</p></li>
<li><p>bates</p></li>
</ul>

6

<p>Lavender,
Harvard does not have an undergrad degree in architecture, just History of Art & Architecture. </p>

<p>And some of the schools mentioned offer a 5-yr Barch, not 4-yr BS or BA's in architectural studies: Cornell, CMU, Syracuse, UArizona. </p>

<p>Other possibilities for you to look at, Brown, Wellesley (arch classes at MIT), Barnard and McGill in Montreal.</p>

7

<p>I believe that Cornell is the top undergraduate school for architecture (i saw it in some rating system in some magazine a few months ago). It's a comprehensive 5 year program where you graduate with a B.S.ARCH. It holds a much stronger value out of college than regular 4 year BS degrees do. Students have to option to earn their masters in one additional year. My girlfriend is a freshmen in architecture now, and it's a tough program. It's much different from a liberal arts college - Cornell's program earns students a professional degree. Typically, you have to be an intern for several years after earning a BS to be certified in an architecture firm, but Cornell's program cuts down that waiting time significantly. Most firms want a masters as well, unless you graduate under a 5 year program. The B.S.Arch is the equivalent of a M.S.Arch-I ... i think it is at least, i'd have to ask around. </p>

<p>Harvard, Yale i think are more graduate school based. I know other schools my gf looked at that had the 5 year thing were Pratt, Syracuse, Carnegie Mellon, and SUNY Buffalo. Not sure of any others.</p>