<p>hi, i am currently a third year at UCSD, electrical engineering major. I'm not too happy with this major though and have begun considering going to graduate school for architecture. i did some background research and became more interested in this. i have a couple of questions though:
1. can i still apply to architecture school as an electrical engineering undergrad?
2. i read that i need to start a portfolio. i dont even know what that is. how would i go about assembling one?
3. should i maybe look for an internship around ucsd at an architectural design firm or something?
4. im going to graduate in 5 years which means i have 3 years left at UCSD including this one, do i need to take the GRE's and if so, when?</p>
<p>my gpa is pretty low (2.43) but i hope to raise that up to 2.8/2.9/3.0 by the time i graduate. any feedback is greatly appreciated!</p>
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<li>Yes, the Masters in Arch. 1 programs are open to all majors</li>
<li>Start by taking studio art classes. If possible, attend a summer arch program (Sci-Arc’s Making and Meaning, [IN]ARCH @ Berkeley, &c.) Some architecture schools even have portfolios of past accepted students on display, so it’d be worthwhile to check those you.</li>
<li>Try to. It’d definitely give you at least a taste of the architecture profession, and whether you actually want to switch in arch.</li>
<li>You have to take your GREs a few months before the application deadline. M.Arch programs have other pre-reqs - generally 1 Physics, 1 Arch History Survey Course, 2 Studio Arts, Calculus as well</li>
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<p>Do try to get your GPA up to the 3.0 mark. While most of the weight is placed on the portfolio, some schools do have GPA cut-offs.</p>
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<li><p>thats a 2.5 to 3 year degree. Even if you go to state school, and so dont have to pay as much in tuition as at a private, thats tuition money, plus thats a a lot of foregone income. To go into a field with a much lower average income level, and lots of instability. I would suggest getting to know much more about the field before making this decision.</p></li>
<li><p>Internships. Given the state of the arch market right now, the competition for internships is fierce IIUC. Among students who already have a year or more of arch school behind them. I have heard rumors that newly graduated archies are taking unpaid internships to get experience (this is considered somewhat scandalous, that firms are taking advantage like that). My own DD is enrolling as a first year in a B Arch program in fall 2011 (she is currently on a gap year). She is planning on being a camp counselor next summer. I would not even suggest that she look for an internship - I think looking will probably be a waste of time till she has at least a year of studio under her belt.</p></li>
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<p>M-Arch programs like a diverse student pool. Uncertain about impact of your low grades; did you take required GRE yet? M-Arch program requirements should be checked re: application requirements. But how firm is your career choice of architecture? Employment prospects for architects are bleak for long-term; have you considered using your electrical engineering degree to join a lighting design firm, or a MEP engineering firm (mechanical-electrical-plumbing for buildings) instead to experience “architecture”? Try to find a MEP firm for an internship first; that experience will help you decide your next step.</p>