<p>If you have the passion, that should be enough to pursue arch, no? </p>
<p>You can't be in it to make money, that's for sure.
I know some of my Asian friends who liked arch but didn't do it because they said it wasn't an honorable profession in their parents mind and culture. They told me that their parents wanted them to be engineers, doctors, or lawyers.</p>
<p>Brings up the culture factor.</p>
<p>Good luck, anyway.</p>
<p>architecture is not an easy profession but it's probably one of the most stable creative careers out there. the reason why starting graduates dont' earn that much money is because school teaches you how to design and think, but not how to operate a firm, etc....so while the starting salaries are low, the earnings accumulate quickly as you gain more experience. the attrition rate is high because of this. the process is long, and a lot of patience is required but if you're very passionate about it, then it is very rewarding on the long run. plus, it is not true that you can't make a lot of money in it because i do know architects who are millionaires although you cannot expect making that much money if you are to pursue the field. although i must say, there are ways in which you can earn more money..it just depends what you want to do. the main reason why the architecture profession is low paying is because it is so competitive yet if you have business knowledge and are good at understanding architecture from a business/financial viewpoint, then have a much higher advantage in being succesful...a lot of depends on luck as well. if you are concerned about money, you can always combine your arch degree with real estate or an mba. </p>
<p>i have met both bitter architects and architects who have no regrets pursuing the field. a lot of is based on expectations because it can be frustrating sometimes. but it is part of the process and I think if you have realistic expectations and are very passioanate about creating things for people, then i think it is a worthwhile pursuit. </p>
<p>who cares if it's not an 'honorable' profession. on the long run, if you have to do what you believe in doing and what you enjoy doing. otherwise you'll end up miserable especially if you don't like what you're doing. </p>
<p>the economy for architecture varies based on location but places like china right now are booming so the demand for architects there are high. </p>
<p>nicnilee- if you're sure you want to be an architect, pursue the 5-year bachelors of architecture professional degree. it's cheaper, and faster to become an architect. and in case you dont' become an architect when you grow up, you can go to grad school to pursue something else..thus giving you more flexibility in waht you do.</p>
<p>Chinese parents who doubt the value of the profession could always read about I M Pei--a millionaire many times over by virtue of his successful architecture practice--although he was the son of wealthy parents.
<a href="http://www.pcfandp.com/a/f/fme/imp/b/b.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.pcfandp.com/a/f/fme/imp/b/b.html</a></p>
<p>BIG PROBLEM!</p>
<p>It seems that problems are always hitting me.</p>
<p>I was thinking about whether I should pursue a future in archtecture, and I finally got a solution - Yes, I am VERY interested in architecture and I would try to get into arch school.</p>
<p>However, Today I recieved my gr12 physics test and I literally failed it, and this test was counted alot in my first term mark physics mark. I have been working pretty hard this term and I have high 80s, low 90s in most of my subjects... ( geometry, calc, AP chem, eng, art...etc) However, the most important subject i need - physics is lowering my average and it's going to be tough, for the mark is so low, universities wouldn't want to accept me..</p>
<p>I know I can make my physics marks higher, but it would take time because we don't really have alot assignments and tests in physics.. Also, I am currently working on my applications and with this mark, I'm afraid i won't get into schools..</p>
<p>Please help me, what happens if I really have a low mark in physics?
Does this mean that I shouldn't go into architecture since I suck in physics?</p>
<p>Are there any solutions? Alternate programs( although i really want to get into architecture!!!) Are there any arch programs that don't require physics?</p>
<p>schools that require a portfolio for admission tend to focus on the portfolio far more than academic grades (though competitive programs will want good grades and a good portfolio). keep in mind however, most of the work you will do in architecture has very little math and very little physics. most of the time you will be in studio creating ideas and designing..so professors look for creative candidates more than anything. failing physics isn't a major blow to your chances...just really focus on your portfolio</p>
<p>Failing physics may be a big blow to your chances of attending architecture school in Canada. Although US schools focus on the creative potential of architecture students, other countries admit only the very best academic students to their architecture programs--which is hand if you live overseas or travel. Everyone assumes architects are terribly clever ;) .</p>
<p>Multi-task. Get a physics tutor right away and figure out a way to pull up that grade. Are you sure you failed the test when compared to the rest of the class?</p>
<p>yea, i think i scored pretty low compared with the rest of the class.</p>
<p>I don't want to give excuses, but my teacher is just expecting too much from us. Ours is just a normal grade 12 course, but after searching from the web, i found out most of our course work are AP Physics work!</p>
<p>Anyways, I'm trying to get better marks right now, and at the same time polish my portfolio. Thanks for helping guys</p>
<p>Its been a very tough week for me.. which have brought up my doubts again!!</p>
<p>i told u guys i screwed up my physics test.. and i'm trying to get it up now..
but now.. my arts teacher is screwing me up!! I worked really hard on a drawing .. and he just gave me 84... but the one before wasn't as nice. but i got a 92..
This teacher is one of the nicest teachers in the school. last year my worst mark was 85..now he is giving out 70s... </p>
<p>So. i was just wondering.. if im not so good at physics, and not so good ( i don't think im talented at all..) at art.. is it better to try to get into arch school and see if it suits me or just simply change my mind now?</p>
<p>how come gr12 is so depressing?</p>
<p>I'm an architect and I really enjoy it. You need to enjoy it, you don't get rich but it's not bad. It would really help to get some exposure in an office before you spend lots of years in school. Also, lots of people get a different undergraduate degree before getting the professional degree. There is also a popular program that you can take in the summer called Carreer Discovery at Harvard. Don't worry too much - find out what you want and there are many paths to get there, no matter what happens in physics. </p>
<p>You can get a fine education at the University of Washington by the way. They have a program in Rome that the students enjoy.</p>
<p>I would like to suggest another school for you to consider and that is Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. They have an excellent architecture school that is well respected throughout the US, at least among practicing architects if not among the USNW types. </p>
<p>There was a thread a while back where a father was asking for advice for his D on where to go for architecture and he said that friends of his in Chicago were telling him that they would hire someone from Ball State in a snap because they were so well trained and employers could rely on them. I replied at the time that we knew an architect in Miami Fla. who said the same thing. Our Miami friend said they had a good reputation all over the US.</p>
<p>We know about Ball State in general 'cause my H went there, as did his whole family. They also have a good men's volleyball team, if you play. </p>
<p>This might be a good place for you to "look outside the box", as it were. They do, however, tend to make their decisions based a lot on the portfolio, as the other US schools do. Good luck to you. Don't be afraid to pursue your passions. Patience and perseverance are the keys to success.</p>
<p>Don't believe any rankings when looking at arch. schools. They're just worthless, because it's so subjective a field of study. The things you should look for is to make sure everyone is allowed to develop their own distinct style (some schools kind of force you to design a certain way - obviously a bad thing), and the resources they have, maybe to some extent the caliber of the professors - not so much fame, but maybe the caliber and focus of their work.</p>
<p>Go to archinect.com/schoolblog also. You might look thru the archived blogs to find out more about different schools.</p>
<p>The biggest ingredient to a good architecture student is passion and love for what you're doing. Sounds corny, I know, but it's not like engineering where you can just do a problem set and be done...it's a constant process, so you've gotta get into it. Not being great at physics isn't a big deal. You HAVE to be creative. Art skills are quite useful for getting across your ideas. And getting across your ideas is a huge part of architecture.</p>
<p>I am currently a senior in south texas and i am also extremely interested in architecture. So far i have narrowed down my choices to:
Rice ( early decision already sent app)
UT
USC
U. of Houston
and maybe Arizona</p>
<p>Im still kind of confused as to wether or not these are good choices, Rice is my first choice, I hear that they have the most rigorous arch program in the nation,
but as for the others im not sure. does anyone have any advice? My high school gpa is a 94 i did fairly well on my sat's 1800, my portfolio is pretty nice most of it came from my summer at RISD. For those of you who know about Rice, what do you think my chances of getting in are? oh i also went in for the interview at the Rice Architecture Building.</p>
<p>most architecture schools are rigorous...you won't find one that's not. basically if you're an architecture student, you'll be pulling many all nighters, no matter where you are. </p>
<p>i also applied to rice architecture last year. they really look for a strong portfolio...and probably dedication above academic grades, etc. for a school that only accepts 25 students into its arch program a year, it's really hard to say what kind of chances you have.</p>
<p>hi guys,</p>
<p>The professor i asked to write me a reference letter asked me if i had changed my direction. I didn't understand what he said at first, but then he told me that the schools i chose were based more on engineering than design (Carnegie Mellon, UIUC, USC, U washington...) I remember CMU and UIUC are rather strong in engineering, so i guess it gives an impression that the school emphasizes on engineering more? Can you guys tell me more about how you know what the archi schools are based on?</p>
<p>Before, i was more interested in staying in canada for studies, but not im kind of changing and i think im leaning on US more..Since i only had a few choices before: CMU,UIUC, USC, UW at seattle, Penn state, syracuse...i think i need more alternatives now.. can you guys suggest some universities that are suitable for someone who attends a top private schools, Hard courses, ok marks (about 82), ok SAT marks, good toefl mark, pretty good ECs, persuasve ref. letter...?</p>
<p>I want schools that have strong archi programs and can help me excel... I know the rank of the school doesn't affect the program in any way, but my parents ( me too) would want me to attend a good school, in good i mean probably more well known...</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Don't flame me...but are you female nim? I would disregard that remark by your professor. I think it was a) meant to throw you off course or b) an offhand comment.</p>
<p>USC is not an engineering based program. It is the home of Frank Gehry for heck's sake.</p>
<p>CMU does have a strong engineering component but their design studios are based in conceptual art. See their Fifth Year work. <a href="http://www.arc.cmu.edu/cmu/student_work/featured/fifthyr.jsp%5B/url%5D">http://www.arc.cmu.edu/cmu/student_work/featured/fifthyr.jsp</a></p>
<p>nim, one thing that separates an architect from an architecture student is self-confidence, self-belief--and that includes trusting your research, trusting your own decisions. How are you going to tell those 2000 contractors what to do when they give you all kinds of opinions? Some of those opinions might be delivered as they are yelling the 'F' word too.</p>
<p>In the end, you must have the GUTS to follow your own decision making process.</p>
<p>Hi I am a grade 12 student and was wondering what Canadian architecture schools are the best. I get good grades and I am not to sure what schools I could get into. My parents want me to go somewhere close to home but if there are no architecture schools that I can get into what could I do? I was wondering what schools would be the best to apply to? Which ones do I have the best chance of getting into? And if i couldn't get into the universities I want to, what other professions would be good?</p>
<p>From what i gather, McGill has one of canadas most respected architecture programs.</p>
<p>Hi jennie2701, Im Nic and i'm a grade 12 student in canada too...
Where do you live? I live in toronto.</p>
<p>I've been looking into Canadian universities that have architecture programs too. I agree with snipanlol, McGill is the a very very good architecture school... There are a few good programs in Ontario... Waterloo has a good program, but i visited there before.. and the architecture department is far away from the UW main campus, and you don't get to meet other students in UW, you only work and live with the people in the architecture school. AND you have no school housing, you have to find your own place to live in. IN my opinion, the place isn't that fascinating.. U of T has a program called architectural studies, which is in the humanities department, which i think the program is more based on concepts rather than actual working on workshops and models.. etc. The last program in Ontario is Carleton University... although its not a very well known university, i talked to the people from the university fair and they gave me a VERY good impression of both the school and the program. They also have a co-op program, which waterloo also has. </p>
<p>As you can see, there aren't alot of choices in canda, that is why im planning to go the states, where there are way more choices!</p>
<p>hope this helps!</p>
<hr>
<p>I have some questions for the portfolio, hope someone can help me out!</p>
<p>Currently, i have this in my portfolio:</p>
<p>Sketch of a building
Sketch of a skull and face
Drawing (conte) of horse's head
Drawing (conte) of horse's body
Sculpture of woman's face
Water painting of leaves
Photograph of sunset ( really nice)
A photoshoped picture
Model building</p>
<p>I'm planning of putting a coulage, oil painting, some free hand drawings into the portfolio..
I took an architecture course last summer and during that course, we had a workshop where we had to design our own building and make a model... I have some plans, elevations..of the model,,, should i include it in the portfolio.. i heard we shouldn't put these kind of stuff into the portfolio since we don't have the formal training.. but i thought this would be pretty interesting as it is TOTALLY relevant with architecture..</p>
<p>Can someone give me some ideas on my portfolio. and what i could include in it .. thanks!</p>
<p>You should definitely include that, nic. It would definitely enhance your portfolio. I know various schools have their own different guidelines regarding portfolio composition. I think USC says you can include stuff like that but state the extent of your involvement. Other schools explicitly state that they don't expect you to have such knowledge and shouldn't include that kind of stuff...
...but you did this stuff on your own, etc. It would probably be the high point of your "career" and it won't do any harm. When I applied to places like USC, WashU, IIT, etc, I had plans of a building I designed included in my pf, and I noted that there were many more I had done.
Some other schools also allow you to include building design but stipulate that you restrict it to 1 or 2 of such.</p>
<p>You should definitely include that. And include anything/everything that lends credence to the scope and depth of your creativity, as long as you remain within the guidelines of the school.</p>
<p>Why don't you put up a link to your portfolio.</p>