<p>Hi I am currently senior civil engineering major about to finish my degree this May, and I have been thinking about applying to an architecture school to get my Masters in Architecture degree. I have a couple of questions to ask you architect majors out there.
The first is my gpa is a 3.4 and some of the schools I am considering are University of Texas, Texas Tech University, Texas A and M, University of Maryland, Virginia Tech, USC, University of Houston. Do I have a shot at any of these schools?
The second question is how important is a portfolio, can I get into any of these schools without it?
The third is how important is it to able to draw good, can I still make it as an architect if I lack the skills in drawing?
Any advice you all can give me would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Anyone have any responses......</p>
<p>Well Im only an undergrad in architecture but at UT Austin they stress that you can ALWAYS learn how to draw, you don't have to be amazing right off the bat.</p>
<p>With a 3.4 I have to assume you will be able to get into the majority of the schools you listed, the bigger issue is the lack of portfolio. You don't have to be great at drawing, but I think most schools will want to see some kind of creative endeavor on your part. Photography, or printmaking, or sculpture, or set design. Anything that gives them a sense of your creative potential. If you have none of the above, then my question would be; why not? If you have not been attracted to the arts, or graphic design, or any other creative outlet, then why do you want to be an architect? Engineers tend to struggle with the arbitrary nature of design, you are never sure when you are right or wrong. Art and other creative courses help prepare you for this.</p>
<p>Is it too late to start taking some of these courses before you graduate? Perhaps a summer pre-architecture program?</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>Columbia used to run a one month summer class in drawing for their M Arch students who didn't have previous architecture experience where you learned to do technical drawing I don't know if they still run it - or have substituted CAD. When I was on the admissions committee (20 years ago) there were many people who sent in portfolios with photos or carpentry projects. </p>
<p>All that said, I think some facility with drawing is still useful. You want to be able to play with your ideas. I still think that easier to do with tracing paper and a pencil.</p>