Architecture Schools

<p>Ok, I need a bit of help with this one, what are some good schools that offer architecture as a major? Yes, I did read the new USA architecture schools listings. My problem seems to be, "Where can a go that isn't a big state school?" I don't have a problem with "public state schools" I just am not sure if I'm okay with being just 1 in 20,000 undergrads. I'm not too sure what I want yet, but I would be okay with anywhere between 2,000 to 12,000 students. I'm also NOT looking for an IVY or highly competitive school (Williams, Amherst, MIT, etc.) My basic stats are: 3.51 GPA, 1940 SAT, Almost top 25% of class. So something that fits in there. It should preferably be on the Eastcoast, some where in New England, (I like cities such as Boston, and Providence), or somewhere on the south eastern coast (Maryland, N./S. Carolina etc.), D.C. and NYC are fine too, as well as PA (My home state.). Last, I'm not sure if I'd want a school that has no sports, because I may or may not play one (still deciding), but it's fine to suggest them as options. Although RISD really sparks my attention, maybe someone could offer more information about that school. </p>

<p>Hopefully thats enough information for some helpful replies, because it's so appreciated.</p>

<p>Connecticut College sounds like a good fit for you.</p>

<p>Did you not post this? The "we" implies you attend UVA.</p>

<p>"At UVa we have that reputation, but it isn't true. The folks in Blacksburg at VT just spread it around 'cause they're jealous. I mean, we love UVa and we're proud to attend such a great institution but there's a difference between school pride and snobbery.</p>

<p>My relative, who will attend Tech said that she was glad to not be going to UVa due to the snobs. It may have been out of 'jealousy' due to the fact that (now, I believe..) she was waitlisted, led on, not taken off. It was her top choice. In all honesty she's a bit of snob herself. It's just really funny to here the story from someone "on the other side".</p>

<p>kelly - try Syracuse university or the Pratt institute. Both are accredited B.Arch programs that are highly ranked.</p>

<p>AcceptedAlready- Wow, no, I don't attend UVa.. I was quoting someone without using the quote box, because I was in a rush. I was just commenting on that because of what my VT relative said about UVa. </p>

<p>momrath, Connecticut College sounds good, are admissions there tough though? </p>

<p>Thanks, gomestar.</p>

<p>Pratt Institute <a href="http://www.pratt.edu%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.pratt.edu&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>it's an art school in NYC which is on the level of of RISD.</p>

<p>also Pratt is like one of the only schools in NYC that actually has a campus, and isn't spread out like NYU. It's located in Brooklyn though.</p>

<p>That sounds nice, my only worry is that I'm not exactly a serious art student, meaning I don't even take an art class in school, which makes me wonder if I'd be happy being surrounded by so many serious art students. </p>

<p>Anyone else?</p>

<p>Virginia Tech.</p>

<p>Northeastern</p>

<p>I know that Drexel offers a B.Arch. and it was the first choice of a friend of my daughter. (Both just graduated from h.s.) My nephew just graduated from Drexel, but not in architecture -- I will be seeing him today and I will ask about the program.</p>

<p>Well, for architecture schools, you'd have a shot at super-competititive schools with your grades as long as you had a good portfolio. I'd say apply to Cooper Union just in case, because everyone admitted gets a full scholarship, and they care about portfolio more than grades. Also look at Cincinatti. You should know that UVa has a reputation in architecture for being a more 'traditional' school: they have a strong historic preservation program, and the professors there let people design in 'revival' styles that have been abandoned by all but the few remaining post-modernists throughout the rest of the country.</p>

<p>What? Do you mean "traditional" as in "classical" architecture. If so, you're wrong. UVA's Architecture School is very modernist, which is why it has clashed with the UVA Administration re. the architectural direction of the University's future buildings (i.e. South Lawn Project). (The UVA Administration wants a "Jeffersonian look", while the Architecture School wants "Jeffersonian ideas.") This fracas started a huge debate in the architecture world, where architects from across the globe including the Director of Prince Charles' architecture foundation chimed in.</p>

<p>Personally, I found the debate to be fascinating and engaging. It got into the heart of what it means to be Jeffersonian in architecture. Is it about a timeless classical look (that stands the test of time but is unoriginal) or progressive ideas (that run the risk 20 years later of people asking "What were they thinking?" - i.e. Hereford Residential College)? </p>

<p>Kelly128, re. public schools, you shouldn't look at the entire school population when judging an architecture program. For example, though UVA has 13,000 undergrads, the Architecture School is only a small fraction of that, and it has a very intimate environment. (I'll have find the actual numbers.) By the way, UVA Architecture has a solid reputation and is definitely in the Top 10.</p>

<p>Part 2: UVA's Architecture School has about 500-600 undergrads.</p>

<p>UVa is a really nice school, I've been there once. I feel like admissions might be tough for someone like me, since UVa is competitive I see myself as an average applicant, but the location and student numbers are right.</p>

<p>I've never looked at Cincinatti, but I'll check it out.</p>

<p>Globalist- that's why I said that they have a <em>reputation</em> for being a more traditional school. I've never attended classes there, so I wouldn't know for sure, but that's what people in the industry say about it. Any school you go to you have to be able to accept the reputation it has, whether it's accurate or not.</p>

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<p>Kelly, I'd say your scores and grades are within the range for ConnCollege. Like all LACs, admissions is weighed heavily toward the whole person so your essays, recommendations and extracurriculars will weigh heavily. The combination of art/architecture and sports is a valuable hook at smaller colleges as they need kids who will contribute to the campus community in more than one area.</p>

<p>If you can, visit and interview both with admissions and the architecture department. Also, you might contact Huskem, a frequent CC poster who is a recent graduate of ConnCollege.</p>

<p>Ok, that's good. I can actually write essasys really well, and I'm pretty sure that I can get good recs. </p>

<p>Do you think that I would have any kind of shot at UVa, or would it not really be worth trying (OOS).</p>

<p>Larationalist, no biggie. I'm just making sure the correct info is out there. Often times reputation does not equal reality. </p>

<p>Kelly128, actually, the University of Cincinnati is really good. The Design Futures Council recently ranked Architecture Schools in the US, and Cincinnati came in 2nd. (#1 was Harvard, and #3 was UVa). According to the following link... </p>

<p>
[quote]
The rankings are based on a survey of the nation’s leading employers in the fields of engineering, design and architecture. Respondents were asked to reflect on graduates that they have hired during the past five years and to consider 'how prepared for real-world practice' those graduates have been and then to indicate from which schools those best-prepared hires had graduate.

[/quote]
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<p><a href="http://transcoder.usablenet.com/tt/http://www.virginia.edu/topnews/releases2006/20060120ArchitectureRanking.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://transcoder.usablenet.com/tt/http://www.virginia.edu/topnews/releases2006/20060120ArchitectureRanking.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>By the way, I used a term incorrectly to describe UVA's architecture program. I called UVA's program "modernist". Actually, I should have said Virginia's program focuses on modern architecture. Modernism is a style of architecture from 19th century Barcelona. Its most famous buildings include Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia Cathedral.</p>

<p>Okay so we have: </p>

<p>Conn College and Syracuse which seem like matches slight reaches. UVa, and Cooper Union which seem like reaches. VTech, Northeastern, and Pratt which I would say are matches. Then Drexel and Cincinatti as match/safties? </p>

<p>Anyone else? Doest hat breakdown sound about right?</p>