<p>I have currently narrowed down my search to 3 main schools. Virginia Tech, Penn State, and Syracuse. I will be pursing architecture and these are the schools that I found in my desired area that have a B.Arch degree. I live in Missouri so all of these schools are out-of-state. Grades are not an issue for me and neither are finances. I am only going to compare VT and Penn State because I have not visited Syracuse but they are still in the running (If you have any opinions or comments, I would love to hear them). Getting a job in DC is a must for me as I love the city and have relatives nearby. </p>
<p>Virginia Tech</p>
<p>Pros
-High Ranked Program
-Great base in DC.
-Close to outdoors (I'm a mountain biker)</p>
<p>Cons
-Not that great of a campus (compared to the others I visited (I also visited UVA))
-Remote location
-High guy to girl ratio</p>
<p>Penn State</p>
<p>Pros
-Also ranked program (But not nearly as high as VT)
-Great campus
-Amazing architecture building
-Close to outdoors</p>
<p>Cons
-Somewhat remote
-Not as high ranked as a program
-Does not have the connections to DC that VT has.</p>
<p>Which should I go with? </p>
<p>Are you making an apply-to list or are you choosing among acceptances that you have already received?</p>
<p>Based upon your list of pros/cons, VT wins… esp since you’d like a job in DC and MANY in that area have degrees from VT.</p>
<p>I’m making an apply list. I’m only a junior but I couldn’t decide which is better for me.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Why don’t you apply to all three and see who accepts you and what the final cost is? Grades and finances may not be an issue for you, but they may very well be for the schools or for your parents.</p>
<p>Assuming you’re admitted to all three and can afford them, you attend Accepted Student Days and see which one resonates most with you. High-schoolers change a LOT between their junior year and graduation. Don’t try to rush or take any shortcuts in making such an important decision.</p>
<p>Definitely apply to more than one school, even if you have a preference. One just never knows and the vast majority of high school seniors I come across like having a choice in the spring. ED accepted students get that choice earlier, but that’s different.</p>
<p>Apply to all three and others. Undergraduate architecture admissions is very competitive. (Some schools will admit you as pre-Arch though).</p>
<p>A typical pattern would be:
- 2 schools you’re 100% sure to get into, that you like and can afford*; at least one would be an in-state public school where you’d easily qualify for the honors college.
- 3-5 schools where you think you can get in, that you like and can afford.
- as many “reach” schools as you wish or can afford.</p>
<ul>
<li>afford = net price, not sticker price. Don’t look at sticker price. Run the Net Price Calculators on each school to see how much it’d cost your family, then bring the results to your parents to start talking college costs. Many parents have no idea how much college costs nowadays. </li>
</ul>
<p>Generally speaking OOS public universities are a bad idea unless you qualify for merit scholarships. Private universities 400+ miles from home will often be interested in the geographic diversity you bring and may favor you for admissions and/or for financial aid.</p>
<p>You should widen your application list. If your one of your key critera is “close to outdoors” you should add Cornell. It’s selective, but it’s okay to have a reach on your list.</p>
<p>If another of your criteria is “in the South” then look at Auburn, Rice and Clemson. UVA and WUSTL are also a terrific choices but they don’t offer the B.Arch so you’ll need to continue on for a Masters.</p>
<p>You don’t necessarily have to go to school near DC in order to work in Washington. Firms that are based in Washington or that have branches in Washington hire from all over the country. Look at the educational profiles of the partners of a few big firms and you’ll see what I mean.</p>
<p>Vt also has the best food :)</p>