B.A architectual studies at UCLA, worth it? Double major?

College Majors Architecture Major
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<p>ok, I guess I need to start a new thread for this one because I didn’t want to flame the other post.</p>

<p>anyways, here is my problem. Ill try to keep it slim so it’s not too long to read but I highly doubt it. —</p>

<p>anyways, I am transfer applicant(20 years of age) and I applied to Cal Poly Slo and pomona, UCB, and UCLA. I was recjected to both cal poly’s and was accepted to UCLA architectural studies and still waiting news for UCB.</p>

<p>The UCLA undergraduate architectural studies is a new TWO YEAR B.A program so I dont expect anyone to give me reviews for it. but here is the site:
<a href=“http://www.aud.ucla.edu/[/url]”>http://www.aud.ucla.edu/</a> and the typical study course program
<a href=“http://www.aud.ucla.edu/undergradstudyprogram.pdf[/url]”>http://www.aud.ucla.edu/undergradstudyprogram.pdf</a>.</p>

<p>I guess i have couple concerns and I cant really break down the PROS and CONS of having a B.A vs. B.arch degree. Also, I’m in this debacle whether I want to pursue the career path as an architect. I’m not saying I don’t like it, but the paycheck inst very satisfying. I agree, money shouldn’t be my impetus, but the thing is I want to enjoy and yet make money at the same time. Thus Im debating to enjoy the professions of architecture and do real estate or something else(AT the same time) to live it up. I enjoy it very much and love doing residential work, and if i do plan on pursuing architecture, I’m hoping to do high end residential work. </p>

<li>what are the pros and cons of B.A vs. B.arch? </li>
<li>What would be the youngest age to earn 70-100k, open a firm, etc?</li>
<li>Since I still like doing arch( but Ive been yearning to be in business or the medical field), should i accept the admission, finish the B.A</li>
</ol>

<p>a.)and double major in real estate development? if so, how long does it take to finish? </p>

<p>B.)or finish the B.A, go to M.arch, be accredited and then work on a double major? <- what other majors in the building/construction field that could earn 70-100k after school or lil’ after?</p>

<p>C.) business/i banking after? engineering? premed?</p>

<p>sorry if I these questions are stupid. Im very confused in what I want. Just need some inspiration or some counseling so i can get through this. I appreciate the help in advance or any kind of flame for this lame post.</p>

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<p>It is good that you are pondering these questions now rather than five years after graduating with some kind of architecture degree and realizing that the profession is not as "rewarding" as you expected. It does take an enormous amount of dedication to pursue the architectural profession. I do not believe that there is anywhere near a representative sample of practitioners on this board to give you an accurate picture of the profession. For the amount of effort involved, the certainty of financial rewards is dubious. </p>

<p>You might want to consider what the alternatives are as I believe you have started to do. One are is real estate development. Similar to archicture where you need to develop a client base to develop your firm, you need to be able to develop sources of capital if you want your own business. This takes many years of experience in the real estate field to develop the expertise and trust needed. Without going into much more detail regarding real estate development, you then have to decide your path within this industry whether it is construction, finance, etc.</p>

<p>Other areas are construction lending. A long time ago, in MBA school, I saw a presentation by Goldman Sachs' Real Estate Dept. and was incredibly impressed by the level of sophistication that their real estate lending dealt with. You might also consider law as another possible avenue to consider. </p>

<p>I realized I have rambled and did not address any of your specific questions concerning the specific schools as I don't really have those kind of answers. These are important questions for you to ask at this point in your life. I wish you the best of luck with your career, whatever it turns out to be.</p>

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<p>vyan, if you could tell people that you were an architect tomorrow, how many residential clients could you sign up? Do you think you could get 4 $500K residential projects started and completed in two years? How are your interview skills? Your charm factor? ;) Your cold-calling skills?</p>

<p>If so, that is $2M worth of construction and your fee would be--as a start-up architect in an upscale Californian market--12%, or $240K over two years. If you answer your own phone and use a room in your flat as your first office, you could expect to clear $150K to $180K over two years, or $75K to $90K per year--before taxes.</p>

<p>If you want to do high end residential architecture, you need to get a BArch as quickly as you can and then get internships in the best high end residential offices. I had friends who worked for Robert Stern (some still work there). That's a great internship for someone like you. Rock out of Stern's office and into the market and you will have no problem convincing clients that you can do high end residential work. I had another friend who opened a very successful high end residential office in San Francisco--even before I opened mine.</p>

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<p>Cheers, </p>

<p>kindly give me those names in SF?</p>

<p>im still deciding whether to attend berk or la</p>

<p>i know theres tons of architects who do high end residential work down in LA
but dont know any in SF.</p>

<p>I have no choice but to obtain a B.A first. I didnt get into Cal poly that would offer me the B.arch fast track.</p>

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<p>Anne Fougeron, AIA, Fougeron Architecture
Mark Horton MH/A San Francisco</p>

<p>David Baker + Partners, Architects
San Francisco
<a href="http://www.residentialarchitect.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=278&articleID=106330%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.residentialarchitect.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=278&articleID=106330&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>wow...</p>

<p>anne fougeron...wow......</p>

<p>i need to intern for her.
you think I can intern for her when i get out of UCB?</p>

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<p>How good are your CAD skills? 3D software skills? Model building skills? Can you intern next year as a Gap Year?</p>

<p>She might be able to help you get into the BArch program of your dreams.</p>

<p>Think about applying this year? Just an idea.</p>

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<p>I don't think I'm aiming for a B.arch program. I already got into UCB and UCLA architecture program. </p>

<p>does ucb teach 3d shoftware skills?</p>

<p>im thinking of interning after i get my B.A and while im getting my M.arch</p>

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<p>If you have CAD or model mkaing skills, you can intern during your BA.</p>

<p>Write to Fougeron and ask her what it would take to get an internship in her office. A good internship would really enhance your BA experience. Also, she is a UCB grad. </p>

<p>Good question about the 3D software. Write the schools and ask them if they offer Catia instruciton along with their CAD.</p>