<p>I'm a current freshman for UCSD and they obviously don't offer Architecture as a major. I had my mind set on majoring in architecture, with hopes in being accepted by either SLO or Berkeley a year ago, but that didn't happen. </p>
<p>Soo does majoring in Structural Engineering at UCSD worth going through the hell that is Structural Engineering so I can master in Architecture 5 years later. In my mind, I really want to be an Architect since every other career fails in comparison, so I'm guessing I should major in SE. But I was hoping for maybe someone's else's or some "professional" opinion. Any thoughts? </p>
<p>My last worry is that, hypothetically, if I got a Bachelor's in SE and got into some Architecture Masters Program, wouldn't I be disadvantaged with the whole Architecture scoop, designing aspect, and experience amongst my classmates that got a Bachelor's in it?
Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Why twiddle your thumbs for 4 years. Why don't you consider tranferring into an BArch or BSCArch program? Some programs have transfer options that allow you to cath up with a summer term.</p>
<p>Yes, that's what I've been told many times, 'just transfer'. But it's very difficult to transfer to say UCB or SLO from UCSD. It's possible yes, but chances are slim. I know there's USC for architecture, but my parents would rather have me go to a California public college (since the government pays for some of my tuition). And yeah, I'll to transfer and what not and talk to my counselor, BUT I do need reassurance if I'm stuck at UCSD.</p>
<p>Call USC fin aid office and ask them about merit aid for transfer students.</p>
<p>Consider Arizona State, UArizona. Call their fin aid offices and ask about merit aid for transfer students.</p>
<p>Call UCB and SLO school of architecture and ask them about the transfer rates for the school of architecture. </p>
<p>Think about Tulane and Syracuse--and call their fin aid office and see if they offer merit aid to transfer students.</p>
<p>The drop out rate is very high for architecture students. Drop outs realize:</p>
<p>a) they don't have the talent it takes and
b) the profession isn't as high paying as they hoped.</p>
<p>Do you have a portfolio? You should get busy making yourself into an attractive candidate.</p>
<p>If you can't design your way out of UCSD, then you don't have enough gumption to be a successful architect, kiddo. Successful architects don't stay 'stuck'. They design solutions to their problems.</p>
<p>Also consider an art-oriented major. Graphic Design, Industrial Design (if they have it), Photography.... all are good preparation for architecture. Structural engineering is really a different profession. SE's are consultants to architects, so architects don't really need to know what SE's know, just how to communicate with them. On the other hand, people coming from a more artistic background have a decent success rate applying to grad schools because of the high weight given to portfolio in the admissions process, and design and presentation skills learned will serve you well throughout your entire career.</p>
<p>Another direction to look at (if you can't transfer to an architecture school) is planning/urban design. If your school offers it, that's a direction that will be more helpful to you in the long run than structural engineering.</p>