Im interested in studying architecture after taking 4 years of related classes of it in high school. I have a 3.33/3.6 GPA (from taking 7 AP’s, 1 honors and one online college class) and a 29 ACT/1280 SAT. Im wondering which private schools I should realistically look into based on my stats. (Also important to note, my EC’s include Figure Skating, Mock Trial club, Art classes, Full time Job, and im fluent in Mandarin)
Budget?
Any restrictions on location?
Why private?
Look into Hobart & William Smith.
Since there are only two California public schools with BArch programs (CPP and CPSLO), the OP may be looking for more options for the application list.
What kind of budget do you have for your education? There may be a public U that would accept you in another state.
@QuinnVam,
Architecture admissions involves a complex balancing act. Before you start listing potential schools you need to understand three factors: the type of degree you want to pursue, your ability to produce a portfolio and how you will finance both an undergraduate and possibly a graduate degree.
There are several paths to a career in architecture. One is getting an undergraduate Bachelor OF Architecture (BArch) degree, which usually takes 5 years. There are about 50 accredited BArch programs in America (8 in California) at varying levels of selectivity. If this is the degree that you seek then you should do some on-line research to learn the requirements of each program. The BArch is the fastest route to becoming a licensed architect, but it’s an intensely focused professional program, so you want to be sure that architecture is for you before you sign on.
You also want to understand that different schools of architecture have different personalities and focuses. Art schools lean more toward the creative side of architecture; tech schools, toward technology and structures; design schools a balance of both. The importance of your high school GPA and curriculum versus the importance of you portfolio will vary depending on the type of architecture program you choose.
The second option is the combination of a Bachelor of Art or a Bachelor of Science degree IN architecture followed by a Master of Architecture (MArch). In fact, you can be admitted to a top rated MArch program with a BA/BS is just about anything as long as you fulfill the MArch programs requirements.
The BA/BS+MArch route can take from 6 to 7.5 years, but it will allow you much more flexibility on your choice of undergraduate schools, which also means more flexibility on financing. Today in architecture, the BA/BS+MArch route is increasingly more common than the BArch.
There are 60-70 accredited MArch programs in America, 10 in California. Although all cover a required balance of design, construction and technology, the programs vary widely in focus, selectivity and funding.
Im not looking into school in California, I want to go out of state or country (canada) for sure, but thank you for the info! Also, money isnt an issue here, so im mainly looking in schools I can get into vs inexpensiveness.
@QuinnVam, You could be accepted to dozens of colleges, but you need to be more specific about what your priorities are.
Are you interested in the BArch or a BS or BA degree?
Would you like to study architecture at an art school, a tech school or a design focused school of architecture within a large university?
Do you have a strong portfolio?
Catholic University of America, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Syracuse, Jefferson (Philly), NJIT, Drexel, Roger Williams
How can I decide that?
There are quite a few posts on this board explaining the difference between the BArch route and the BA/BS+MArch route to becoming a licensed architecture (including my post #5 in this thread). You could consider both, but you should understand the difference in curriculum, completion time and cost. If you still have questions, ask
Visit, research on line, ask questions. All three follow mandated curriculums for the BArch and MArch, and all three teach design and structures, but the focus of the education will be somewhat different. The overall culture and the make-up of your classmates will be different. Tech schools emphasize the tech/structures aspect of architecture. Art schools the design/creative side. Design schools within large universities a balance of both.
This is a yes or no question. It will impact the list of schools that you apply to. Some BArch programs put a lot of weight on the portfolio in admissions. Some don’t require one. Few BA/BS programs require a portfolio, but it’s important for those that do.
Look at Lehigh University’s Art, Architecture and Design program. While your stats are below their midpoint, you are a draw for them as a full pay girl from California, so you may have a shot. If you like what you see online you will definitely need to plan a visit to have a real chance. They are very keen on demonstrated interest.