My daughter has gotten into Tulane and Pratt for architecture. She is trying to decide should she change her EA to EDll for Northeastern or roll the dice that she gets into NU. Tulane and Pratt have a higher ranking than NU. Are the co-ops more important than rankings? Does anyone have any experience with any of these programs?
@Mopep, The Bachelor of Architecture programs at Tulane and Pratt are both excellent choices, though the atmosphere and culture of the schools are very different. Tulane is an “all purpose” university with a design-focused school of architecture. Pratt is an art school. Neither is better than the other, just different.
By NU do you mean Northeastern or Notre Dame? Notre Dame has a decidedly classical focus, which is either a plus or a minus depending on your daughter’s design sensibility, and, I think, accounts for its lower BArch ranking.
The Northeastern undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science IN architecture which is difference from a Bachelor OF Architecture. Design Intelligence doesn’t rank BS or BA programs.
With a BS or BA she would need to get a Master of Architecture in order to begin the process of becoming a licensed architect in most states. Northeastern offers the MArch, but the total time it takes for the BS+MArch+coop is I think 6.0 years. She would also have the option of pursuing her MArch at another university, which would most likely mean 7.0 years in total.
Northeastern’s school of architecture is an excellent program, though perhaps not as design-focused as Tulane and Pratt.
My son is an architect in Boston and the firm he works for hires many Northeastern co-op students, many of whom become full time employees after graduation. The overall opinion is that they are well qualified.
She might also consider WUSTL, UMich and UVA for other BS+MArch programs.
I attended Washington University in St. Louis’ Architecture Discovery Program and it was great. The atmosphere at WashU is great and it’s a really collaborative environment (if that’s what you’re into). It’s one of the best architecture schools and I’d suggest taking a look into it.
These are the schools she has gotten into drexel,auburn,Tulane, Miami Ohio, Pratt waiting on Northeastern, VATech applying to Cornell. Cornell is a far reach. She is looking for an urban school. Does the coop make the difference in attending NU?
These are the schools she has gotten into drexel,auburn,Tulane, Miami Ohio, Pratt waiting on Northeastern, VATech applying to Cornell. Cornell is a far reach. She is looking for an urban school. Does the coop make the difference in attending NU?
I’m not sure I understand your question about Northeastern and co-op. Northeastern’s co-op program is a defining feature of its architecture school. The work experience is beneficial financially, in job placement after graduation and admissions to MArch programs other than Northeastern.
The downside of the BS/BA+MArch route – which would apply to Miami of Ohio – is that it takes longer than the BArch and may cost more as MArch programs are not funded the same way that undergraduate degrees are. The upside, with or without a co-op year, is that it allows more room for undergraduate exposure to other disciplines.
Cornell is the antithesis of urban, but it’s a terrific program with strong connections to New York firms.
Thanks for all of your information it has been very Helpful.
Thanks for all of your information it has been very Helpful.