Best Program For Me?

College Majors Architecture Major
1

<p>I'm a seventeen year old female going into my senior year with an interest in pursuing architecture in college. I have only come to this interest very recently (in the past few months) and I have some questions regarding the major, application to various programs, and what programs would, in your opinion, fit me best.
First, the stats:
Highschool GPA: 3.93
Percentile Ranking: Top 10%
ACT: 33 (Reading 36, Math 28, Writing 35, Science 34) ... note, I'm planning on retaking to get Math up to par with every thing else?
SAT I: 2000 (Reading 670, Math 660, Writing 670)
SAT IIs: Math I 710 Literature 630
(all tests were taken without studying... a very unwise choice, but for the major standardized tests this gives me hopes for the next rounds in which I plan to study)
Classes: Freshman: Biology, Honors Geometry, Honors English, Honors Civics, Spanish I, Gym/Health, Choir, Orchestra
Sophomore: Chemistry, Honors Advanced Algebrae, Honors English, Honors World Studies, Honors Spanish II, French I, Choir, Orchestra
Junior: Physics, Honors Pre-Calc, AP English and Composition, AP US History, Honors Spanish III, Newspaper, Choir
Senior: AP Chem, AP Calc, AP English and Literature, AP Gov, College Fiction, CIS Spanish IV, Choir, Architectural Drafting</p>

<p>It was my goal to take an art class, but it didn't fit into my schedule, so I opted for Architectural Drafting. Will not taking art classes since middle school hurt me? Are there suggestions for developing my portfolio without any art instruction? I know many colleges require an extensive portfolio. I just worry about the lack of thorough development mine may have. Also, I have taken all the APs and Honors offered at my school, with the exception of AP Economics (which I just can't fit into my schedule....) </p>

<p>As for ecs..... showchoir, all-state choir, 4-H (heavy into leadership with club and county officer positions, the arts, state-wide programs, etc), started a global awarness and volunteer club at school(officer), school paper(page editor), and drama club(officer).</p>

<p>I'm looking for a school that has a strong architecture program that will open doors in the future for me. I want a larger school or university (not excessively large, but for sure not small), near or in a city that will give me the chance to participate in study abroad, a somewhat broad liberal arts education (to a point), and have a decent choir program.</p>

<p>I'd love advice to what programs you think I'd make a good fit for.
Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Im going to be a senior this fall and Im interested in architecture too! Plus my SATI and II are quite similiar to yours.</p>

<p>The schools I know that have pretty decent architecture programs include Washington U. in St Louis, Cal Poly SLO (not in a city), Carnegie Mellon, Cooper Union, Cornell (not in the city), UCLA, UC Berkeley. Its difficult to find schools with a top architecture and liberal arts program, because, well, they are different. There are the architecure/engineering/science focused schools and there are the liberal arts colleges.</p>

3

<p>^Wait, I forgot to mention, I think having an art portfolio would be very helpful, especially for architectural design. Im still working on my portfolio and most of the stuff I have are fine arts things. Colleges want to see that you can draw, so include drawings as well as paintings and whatnot. </p>

<p>You could include photography or digital design art things, I think. And you could include models and also the projects that youve done in your drafting class, that would definitely help, right?</p>

4

<p>you both have a strong academic,
I believe you two will be good and get into the top schools…</p>

5

<p>eskamoes, Congratulations on working so hard in high school and having such a well-rounded background to go with it! There are so many options out there for you! </p>

<p>Based on the criteria that you mentioned, you may want to check out Virginia Tech as you look at schools. It is a larger university (20,00+) with a great architecture school. While it isn’t known for its liberal arts focus (it is a 5 yr. BARCH) being that you will probably test out of some of the core requirements -English, History- (you’ll need a score of 4 on the AP tests to do so) you could take any choice electives you find interesting in their place. There are some dynamic professors up there in the liberal arts to learn from. Blacksburg isn’t near what could be called a big city, but VT’s study abroad program is terrific. They have a semester long program for their arch/design kids in the Alps-Riva San Vitale Switzerland. It is supposed to be wonderful. Here is a link to it (I just drool every time I look at it :))</p>

<p>[Casa</a> Maderni_Pictures](<a href=“http://www.oired.vt.edu/cesa/photogallery/casa.htm]Casa”>http://www.oired.vt.edu/cesa/photogallery/casa.htm)</p>

<p>VT does not require a portfolio for admission to their program. They feel that not all kids have the opportunities to take art related classes within their high schools, so they leave it alone. While it is probably the hardest major to get into, your “numbers” are so strong, I don’t see a problem there. I don’t know about VT’s choir progam unfortunately. My s just finished his first year there and absolutely loved it.</p>

<p>Another option for you to check out would be UVA. They lean more toward the liberal arts and offer a 4 year BS in Architecture. We Hokies don’t like to toot the horn too much for those old Wahoos :slight_smile: but I guess I can grit my teeth a bit to share a bit of info with you. Best of luck as you begin your search! And, don’t forget to enjoy your senior year!</p>

6

<p>I know that this isn’t really near a large city (2 and half hours away from Chicago and St. Louis), but the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign offers one of the best study abroad programs for architecture students. For the whole junior year you get to study in Versailles, France. However, as I’ve mentioned before, its location is kind of bad.</p>

7

<p>Also consider whether you are interested in a 5 yr BArch or 4+2 program. UIUC is a 4+2. My son starts at USC this fall. He wanted only a 5yr BArch program. The only exception was the U of Cincinnati due to its coop program. BTW, we live in the Chicago area. UIUC for some reason does not have the reputation it once had for architecture.</p>

8

<p>Take a look at the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP program.
[School</a> of Architecture and Interior Design](<a href=“http://www.daap.uc.edu/said/]School”>http://www.daap.uc.edu/said/)</p>

<p>You have a good-sized, very nice city, a large (but not so large that you’d be lost) university with all of the expected amenities, a beautiful, architecturally interesting campus, and a best-in-class, highly regarded architecture program that will provide a co-operative experience. i’ve often heard from architects that you’ll learn more on the job in an architect’s office than you will in class. The co-op supplements everything you gain in your academics. No portfolio required.</p>

9

<p>Does anyone have any advice for me? My student is interested in Architecture but only has a 3.0 and an ACT score of 23. He has attended a couple of summer discover Architecture sessions and has loved them. He wants a program that is studio based. Where could he hope to get in? Any ideas? Especially out west?
Thank for you input!!!</p>

10

<p>Thank you all so much for your advice. You’re mentioning schools I never would have considered but will definitly take a closer look at now. Another quick question… What would fit me better? A 5 BArch? Or a 4+2? Would a 4+2 give me a better liberal arts background? I do enjoy taking normal classes like English and History and Language in addition to the more technical classes. Would that help me to do so? If so, what schools are known for their 4+2?</p>

11

<p>eskamoes: check out “Guide to Architecture Schools” by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. I think it also many be online. It contains info on all architecture schools and also the degrees. </p>

<p>zebrazHunter: have him check out this guide also. My wife’s cousin had similar grades and SAT score and he is in the architecture program at Kent State (4+2).</p>

12

<p>As momoftwins suggested, check out U of Cincinnati’s DAAP program. My son (and I) were very impressed with it and Cincinnati when we visited.</p>

13

<p>eskamoes,</p>

<p>You may want to read through this recent thread about the differences between the 5 yr BARCH vs. the 4+2 (and sometimes 3 yr) programs. </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/architecture-major/683929-barch-vs-ba-architectural-studies-march-4-2-a.html?highlight=5+yr+BARCh+vs.+4%2B2[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/architecture-major/683929-barch-vs-ba-architectural-studies-march-4-2-a.html?highlight=5+yr+BARCh+vs.+4%2B2&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>There seem to be merits to doing either program. Hopefully some of the well-informed parents and practicing architects that we learned a great from a couple of years ago will chime in again with helpful advice for you. </p>

<p>From our end, s decided he wanted to try to have the best of both. Although he went with the 5 yr. program, he, too, has a multitude of interests. Fortunately he has been able to find time to schedule numerous liberal arts/elective classes of his choice. He is/was lucky to do this though because he went in with quite a few college credits. Had he not had those credits, the requirements for his BLA degree and the core requirements at VT denied him that opportunity. </p>

<p>One final thought, when you look at the different programs online, check to see if you can find a link to their 4/5 yr curriculum sequence. Most do. You can then kind of see how much flexibility you will have to take electives of your choice. You can also kind of decipher the focus that each school has. Once again good luck to you!</p>