I can’t find a good source online about b.arch programs and what differentiates them.
For example, sci-arc is super conceptual while notre dame is very classical.
Can people give imput and overviews on the schools they know well?
Thank you
@orangegrape, Because of strict NCARB curriculum requirements BArch (and non-baccalaureate MArch) programs are more alike than different. They all offer a balance of creativity (design) and structures (engineering and technology).
This video does a good job of explaining the three different types of architecture schools. (The speaker isn’t identified, but I believe it’s George Thrush, the former director at Northeastern’s School of Architecture.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3tmENUwIEk
He says that architecture schools break down into three basic categories:
Art Schools
Technology or Engineering Schools
Design Schools
Within the Design category, there are also widely different philosophies and approaches to teaching architecture. The examples you mention are on the outer edges of the architecture school Venn diagram with classicism on one side and avant-garde design on the other. Among other schools you’ll also find a wide span in focus on green architecture and technology, on hand drawing versus CAD.
There are a lot of points to consider when making your architecture short list, not the least of which is which degree you intend to start with, the BArch/non-baccalaureate MArch or the BA/BS+MArch. Like any college search and selection process you have to think about financing and try to achieve a balanced list of reach/match/safety. Location is also a key determining factor as is the portfolio submission requirement.
So how do you know which school is right for you? There are about 50 BArch and non-baccalaureate MArch programs in the US, plus probably twice that number with serious BS or BA programs in architecture, architectural studies, environmental design, architectural art history etc. I don’t think you’ll find a comprehensive list of comparisons.
My advice would be first, choose the degree or degrees that you are considering. It’s the scope of degrees and combination that causes apply lists to proliferate, but I think it’s important to consider the pluses and minuses of the various options.
Second, understand your financial needs. If you need – or want – financial aid, you need to know what’s available. It’s critical to do this early on in the search process. Before you fall in love with a school, make sure you can afford it.
Third, spend time on the schools’ websites, look at the resumes of the permanent faculty and visiting instructors, the study away programs, the required curriculum, the co-op and summer internship programs, the thesis requirements. After you’ve narrowed in on a long list of schools you like, come back and ask for feed back on this board. You’ll get a better response if you name names.
Fourth, try to visit as many schools as you can. When you see the facilities, hear the administrators and faculty talk about their vision, look at the students’ work, learn where graduates have ended up working.
Im at Syracuse and my friends are at Cornell and its literally like the same thing-- just stuido all day with pencil and conceptual models to build, while also giving you the technical knowledge you need as the years go by.
Cal Poly SLO is super technical
Sci Arch is super conceptual
Cornell and Syracuse are like a blend
I visited Carnegie Mellon they seemed kinda technical- but also in line with how Cornell and Syracuse were-- but the school atmosphere was bad everybody walked around looking depressed – -
Art schools like RISD dont seem like a good idea for architecture cause they have you learning figure drawing and stuff for a good part of the first year that your there, while you could be somewhere else actually building models that will progress your architecture stuff
Notre Dame is classical architecture which is kinda lame and doesnt even seem like a smart choice to go to when todays firms are in demand of fresh architects who are technically savvy and conceptually savvy— i know some kids who went there literally just cause they wanted to tell people they went to Notre Dame – he wasnt even into classical architecture either so now hes wasting away years on learning stuff hes half interested in
I know Northeasterns program isnt a BArch so i wouldnt advise it really- but they suck u into a grad program which they say should take 1 year but from what I hear it usually takes 2 years to finish it-- which is nice cause a MArch 1 usually takes 3.5 years to finish after your first 4 year undegrad— but also you might have wanted to gone to any of the ivies for the MArch 1 rather then Northeastern but the offer they have sucks you in probably —