<p>My son was accepted to both schools for pre-architecture. Does anyone have any comments as to which is the better school. Also, I would be curious if anyones child who went to either one actually moved form the pre-architecture program into the architecture program and how hard it was to get accepted. Thanks.</p>
<p>Don’t know about the Arch program, but did your son get into the honors program at AzSt. That is a good program.</p>
<p>No he did not</p>
<p>If he didn’t get into the ASU honors program, DEFINITELY go for UA. I know I’m biased since that’s where I go, but I think that while our honors college is utter crap, our overall academics are much better than ASU. I have several friends in the pre-architecture program as well, who say that it’s incredibly challenging but well worth it. [I don’t know much about the actual architecture program, but I do hear it’s very hard to get in, but anyone who tries very hard stands a decent chance.]</p>
<p>There is no “definitely” in this situation. Both schools offer about the same caliber of education, just different environments. I currently attend ASU as a Barrett student, but I know plenty of people who get a great education here without the honors college. Similarly, I know a number of people at U of A that love attending school there. ASU is larger, offers a wider range of classes, and is located in the center of the Phoenix Metro area. Students spend most of their time on campus the first year, but older students tend to live off campus and open their lives beyond the bounds of campus. UA is smaller, offers a more traditional college campus, and Tucson is very much a small, college town. If he attends there, he will spend the bulk of his four years on campus, and his life will revolve around the school. Both are great research institutions with plenty of research opportunities for undergrads, both have a vibrant greek/football scene, and both diverse student bodies. If your son wants an urban experience, he should pick ASU. If he prefers a small town feel, he should go with UA. </p>
<p>I can’t speak to UA’s program, but I know that ASU’s architecture program is very intense, just as all degree programs in the Herberger School of Art are. The program is designed to allow students to build up a portfolio of work, which culminates in the completion of a milestone project. Most of his classes will be taken with fellow architecture majors, and most will require students to complete design work and build 3d models of their designs, so he should plan on his budget for material costs accordingly. The advantage of Tempe is that there are a number of architecture firms in the area, and I can think of two in walking distance of campus. Herberger works to help place students in internships positions, and he will have professional experience upon graduation. </p>
<p>ASU is a great school. I would not trade my experience here for anything. Don’t let anyone scare you off ASU because some people consider UA to be more rigorous overall. It simply is not true, and your son should have all the facts in making his decision.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all the great responses. I guess we have some thinking to do. I think in the next month or so we will make a trip out there to see both schools. We are still waiting some other decisions but I know the thought of Arizona is enticing to my son. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Consider the cultural differences of the two locations, even though they are not that far apart in miles. ASU is in a very large, relatively cosmopolitan city. UA is in Tuscon, which is also large but very much a desert town. They have really embraced the desert, conserving water in every way possible, decorating yards with rocks and cacti, etc. It feels like a gigantic cowboy town to me. The Phoenix area has a lot more pools and lawns; it feels to me as though they have tried to transplant a typical American city into the desert. Your son might consider which of these approaches fits better with his way of thinking.</p>
<p>Another thing to investigate: do both programs promise that admitted pre-Architecture students can continue in the major so long as they maintain a C or better in all of the required courses, or is there an up or out policy where only a certain number (or a higher GPA in the major courses) are allowed to continue into the upper division courses? (That is the case in some of the Hershberger majors, but I know nothing about pre-architecture.) </p>
<p>It might also be worthwhile to investigate the admission rate to architecture school from each program.</p>
<p>And, given that architecture is a very, very hard field to get a decent paying job in right after graduate school, if there is a significant difference in costs between the two schools that might lead to less in the way of debt for life after graduate school, I’d be tempted to lean in that direction.</p>
<p>Not sure if you are looking for aid, ASU has cut down on FA a little bit this year, for both OOS and instate</p>
<p>My son is at ASU in the Arch program. They had roughly 300 apply and 85+ get in for Arch/Landscape Arch 2009. All GPA and my son felt design studio profs knowing you and your work ethic.</p>
<p>The ASU arch building is really weird…or it used to be anyways. My mother used to say it was just like they had built it as if it was a lesson in how <em>not</em> to build a building. </p>
<p>That said; I’ve noticed that many of my friends who are especially well off tend to dislike
Tucson. I love it, I’m familiar with the area (if you ever get the chance, it’s a bit of a trip off campus, but you should look for Le Cave’s donughts- they’re made fresh.) I feel like UofA is also more artsy- Tucson has great street art downtown. ASU is closer to other cities and phoenix, however.</p>
<p>I went with the larger scholarship and the better honors college when choosing between the schools as other academic factors were fairly equal. I’m not familiar with ASU’s architecture program beyond it’s rigor (I’ve never heard of an easy architecture program, though), but perhaps you can have your son look through some faculty profiles at each university’s department to see if he is particularly drawn to some?</p>
<p>I’m not sure about his commitment to architecture, but major choice is often not a one-time occurrence. Given that, perhaps take into account the strength of the other programs that his interests would lead to if he were to decide against architecture in the future. As an example from my experience, I began as business, but upon changing my major, I desired to take classes in Classics, which has a full department at U of A, but only a few professors at ASU – I’ve been very happy with the instruction that I’ve received, but it’s wise to research all contingencies.</p>
<p>Finally, I’d take into account the general atmosphere of each city and the availability of internships (if it would vary in architecture). If your son has a strong HS gpa and test scores, he could always apply to Barrett honors at ASU once he’s there – I’ve enjoyed the program and its opportunities quite a bit.</p>