<p>hi architecture-major experts^^
I am an international student.
I got accepted to Syracuse University, CMU, RISD, and U of Maryland-college park.
Out of the four schools, I want to go to CMU or RISD.</p>
<p>with your wide knowledge about this area,
can you tell me the good and bad of each school's program and the school itself?
like how hard it is to get grades or how good the facilities are at the school, etc.
and I would also like to know about the cities they are each located in.
and exactly how tough is the architecture program?
and if you would like to suggest the other two schools(UMCP, Syracuse), please tell me why.</p>
<p>I will await your honest replies^^
thank you.</p>
<p>CMU and RISD are located in Pittsburgh and Providence - Both aren’t very big cities, but they should have their fair share of things to do. Providence isn’t very far from NYC and Boston. (3 hours and 1 hour by car)</p>
<p>RISD’s program focuses heavily on design. They have a foundation year they require their students to go through involving a lot of art courses.
Their arch. program is top-notch though. Also, if it matters to you, RISD has a relatively large korean population.</p>
<p>Syracuse’s program is ranked 2nd in the nation, but the location might not be as nice.</p>
<p>I’m not too sure on CMU’s program.</p>
<p>Architecture is a tough major at ANY school, so be prepared! :)</p>
<p>Of the schools listed, I think RISD and CMU have the strongest architecture programs. Syracuse is also good, but I really don’t hear much about UMCP, so I can’t give you any insight on that one.</p>
<p>The main differences that I see between RISD and CMU are:</p>
<p>(1) CMU is a university, and you will have the ability – in fact, you will be required – to take classes outside your major and can choose from the whole range of majors offered there (including sciences, foreign languages, music, etc.). RISD is an art & design school and although you do have to take a significant number of liberal arts credits, the course offerings in that area are much more limited (history, philosophy, literature, social sciences). You can take a limited number of classes at Brown as well, but often there are scheduling issues to be worked out.</p>
<p>(2) You will get excellent education and training at both CMU and RISD. However, as noted by another poster, RISD’s program tends to be very design/aesthetics oriented, while I think CMU is more focused on the technical aspects of architecture.</p>
<p>(3) Both Pittsburgh and Providence are great little cities with lots of cultural opportunities and both schools are located in very nice, safe areas. Providence does have the advantage of being close to Boston (less than an hour away by car or train) and also just a few ours from New York.</p>
<p>I don’t think you can’t go wrong with either CMU or RISD.</p>
<p>thank you very much worried_mom~~</p>