Hi I’m accepted at both and really confused. I visited them and loved them equally but can’t decide, would love to hear your opinion!
Thank you so much!
I’m majoring in Architecture!
@calgirl12345 - Wow! How exciting! You might want to read the threads on the architecture major forum - someone posted there this year about CMU vs Tulane and got some good feedback.
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/architecture-major/
I am not an architecture person but I visited CMU with one kid and Providence (not RISD, Brown) with the other and I would give RISD the nod on location. We loved the CMU campus and Pittsburgh is a great city but it’s difficult to get to from the west coast… also, the student population at CMU has a reputation for being highly-stressed - we have heard this same thing from students in widely different majors. Only you will know if that’s a concern for you. Best of luck - you have two great programs to choose from and I’m sure you’ll be happy with the one you pick!
@calgirl12345 Also take into consideration how sure you are that you’re going to remain an architecture major, as well as what your interests are outside of architecture. CMU is a full research university with a broad range of classes encompassing the liberal arts and sciences, while RISD is largely focused on art and design. Should you find yourself changing your major and wanting to explore in completely different directions, CMU would give you many more options.
CMU… Pittsburgh>Providence IMO, plus it’s one of the best architecture schools in the country
@calgirl12345, Which degree program are you enrolling in, Bachelor of Architecture or something else? Both CMU and RISD are excellent choices for the BArch, though Design Intelligence rates RISD (#10) a bit higher than CMU (#14).
The major points of differentiation is that RISD is an art school and CMU is a “full service” university. As mentioned by @tdy123, if you later decide that architecture is not for you, you’d have more alternatives at CMU.
Beyond the difference in overall culture, the focus of the architecture schools is different. All BArch programs must cover the curriculum established by the NAAB, but within that framework, RISD leans more toward the art/design side of architecture, while CMU is cutting edge in technology (e.g., robotics). You should choose the one that appeals more to your interests and talents.
good advice from momrath above