I was admitted to the Schools of Architecture at both Carnegie Mellon and Tulane, and I’m trying to compare the two programs, taking into account the culture of each school, both inside and outside the architecture programs. For what it’s worth, DesignIntelligence has ranked these schools similarly in the past two years (since Tulane switched to B.Arch): Tulane was #14 in 2016-17 and #17 in 2017-18, and CMU was #13 in 2016-17 and #14 in 2017-18.
I visited both schools recently. CMU is very clearly tech-focused: their digital fabrication lab is highly advanced, and they are making strides in exploring architectural robotics. Tulane, on the other hand, is integration-focused: they make the city of New Orleans their classroom, designing for issues currently facing the city. Their UrbanBUILD program is intriguing; the students have the opportunity to both design and build a house in a New Orleans neighborhood. Same goes for their Small Center for Collaborative Design.
The culture of CMU as a whole was unappealing; the students seemed stressed out and somewhat disengaged, like they were just there for a degree and not enjoying the college experience. The architecture students, however, seemed a little more well-rounded and excited. They seemed to be having a good experience in the program and were engaged with their projects and their environment.
Tulane’s culture is many strides above the CMU culture. The students seemed to be hardworking but also having a lot of fun at college, which I think is important. This extends to the architecture students, who seemed laid-back (and said the faculty are too) but still very engaged with their studies.
I’m trying to figure out how advantageous having the technological resources of CMU would be, given that architecture has been described to me so many times as a changing industry that’s moving towards a more technological basis every day. It seems like CMU is innovating, finding ways to apply their technology to architecture and vice-versa. This seems like an exciting place to be academically; I’m just trying to figure out whether it might be worth the compromise of not having the great culture at Tulane.
I think the focus on integration at Tulane is fantastic as well, and I’m certainly interested in approaching architecture as an urban investigation in this way; I just don’t know how much of an advantage a focus in that area would be professionally.
CMU is much more cutting-edge; is this worth the tradeoff?
First off, you need to be aware that architecture is regional. Where do you want to work after graduation? Most arch schools have competitions/crits in which local and/or alumni architects are invited to do the judging. Please read that as a potential job interview. After all, it’s unlikely that a grad from Tulane will be involved in critiquing projects at CMU and vice versa. Both schools have pretty good reputations - I’d say that CMU has a slightly higher reputation than Tulane, but that’s all subjective. Where do you think you’ll fit in the best? (By the way, CMU’s reputation is indeed, extremely focused - D2 (my BArch kid, currently working as an architect in Wash DC) didn’t even apply there because of the campus and it’s limitations. (in her view)
@jrdsnw, If cutting edge technology involving robotics and innovative fabrication are your passions, then you couldn’t pick a better place than CMU. If it’s not your primary interest, then you’ll do fine with the level of exposure to technology that you would get at any BArch program.
The use of technology IS increasingly important in building, but so is the focus on community involvement, preservation and response to climate change that Tulane offers. Architecture is a wide and diverse field, and your undergraduate years are a good time for broad exposure.
I may be misreading you, but it sounds as if you prefer the culture and ambience of Tulane and New Orleans. In that event, I think you should follow your instincts and accept Tulane. You will do your best work in the environment that you are the most comfortable with.
I would agree that architecture firms do tend to hire locally, but I think you’ll find that both Tulane and CMU graduates are fairly mobile. You might ask the departments where their students have ended up working after graduation and during summer internships and where their recent visiting faculty are employed.
@momrath where your thoughts about USC and Tulane. My D really likes the idea of the ability of building a house for a semester. What are the advantages of USC other than the exposure to many more architecture firms?
My daughter was part of a team that built a house during high school :). She liked the experience but I’m not sure it is a highlight. The ‘regional’ part cannot be over emphasized. The same schools show up over and over in some locations. It doesn’t mean that with a Tulane or CMU degree you can’t get a job in Ohio, it’s just a bit more work to position yourself.
DD is a month or so from finishing her M.Arch and has logged exactly 0 internship hours. That would be more of a deciding factor if you want to practice, what opportunities there are for internships. Ultimately that and connections help get jobs. It’s not hiring like in my field (software).
If Tulane grads end up all over the South, and CMU all over the Northeast, then you need to consider where you will end up. Weather is a toss-up, New Orleans is not exactly perfect weather, not anymore than Pittsburgh is (I went to school down there). Culture is very different there, so if you’re looking for a big experience, that is it.
You really can’t go wrong by picking either school, so it’s down to details.
@Mopep, I’d give USC the edge for design and alumni star power; Tulane for sustainability and community involvement. If your daughter has visited, I’m sure she appreciates that one school’s culture and environment is quite different from the other’s, which will greatly impact the overall experience. I’d say the same thing I said to @jrdwnw: Your daughter should go with the the better fit. She’ll get an excellent education, make good contacts and go on to practice architecture with a degree from either one.
Thanks, guys. I ended up choosing Tulane for the campus atmosphere, location, and focus on sustainability & urban/civic integration. As for “missing out” on CMU’s impressive technology, there’s always grad school.
