<p>Hello, I am a rising sophomore at a top 20 (?) liberal arts college with interests in architecture. Like most liberal arts schools, my school does not have an architecture program or any pre-professional program for that matter. While I completely embrace my liberal arts education (it's everything I hoped for and more), how do I make myself stand out to a program like Shape of Two Cities (and, for that matter, the graduate schools I will apply to a few years from now)?</p>
<p>Last semester I took an art history class which brushed upon a few major works of architecture and an intro to urban studies course. Next semester, in the fall, I will take an architectural design course as well. </p>
<p>These three courses comprise the extent of my knowledge of architecture thus far.</p>
<p>Will my application be taken seriously given the limitations of my education/experience relative to architecture? I recall reading somewhere that the program looks for those well-versed and novices alike, but still. </p>
<p>I plan to rely heavily upon the personal statement and letters of recommendation from my advisor/professors in order to convey my interest... but will this be enough? I don't know if anyone reading this will truly know, outside blind guesses but thoughts are helpful.</p>
<p>Mostly, I am here in search of more information about the program</p>
<p>What I've gathered from online research:
- Accepts both undergrads (like myself) and post grads
- Does not provide housing (?!) So students are required to find housing in NYC...?</p>
<p>Questions
- How selective is this program? What are my <em>chances</em>
- How many students are accepted per year?</p>
<p>...... I have a million more questions, but they all basically revolve around the likelihood my application will be taken seriously. Really, if anyone has been involved in the program or knows someone in the program and is willing to share his/her knowledge of the program I would be eternally grateful.</p>
<p>I have a friend who partook in the GSAPP NYC/Paris program, so I’ll forward these questions to her. Now, I was always under the impression that the NYC/Paris program, and most summer/shot-term arch. programs in general weren’t that hard to get into (they do cost a pretty penny, so so long as you can show any semblance of interest in furthering your foray into arch., they’d be happy to take you – and your money!). I thought I had read in an archinect thread that GSAPP was still taking applications after their deadline.</p>
<p>And if you take your application seriously, they should as well; these programs are essentially targeted towards people like you – limited experience with, but growing interest in architecture. You shouldn’t be stressing over this application.</p>
<p>Just a word of advice, when you’re actually in the Two Cities program, make sure to do a great deal of documentation; photograph/xerox/keep every and all of your sketches. You never know if it’ll end up in your portfolio.</p>
<p>I hope that’s the case! And I will be sure to keep track of all sketches.</p>
<p>Thanks for asking your friend and subsiding my worries…</p>
<p>Also, a random and somewhat unrelated question:
Does the location of the school one attends (for M.Arch) heavily weigh upon where one eventually settles and looks for work?</p>
<p>Location, location, location…
It really depends. UMich is known for being a transient school (because honestly, who would even want to stay in Michigan? Detroit’s industry has gone to hell and back). Plenty of people I know who’ve gone to GSAPP or Pratt have stayed in NYC. Same with SCI-Arc and LA. Others move around. Since most practicing professors have firms close to their university, if they offer you a job, then yes, you’ll be working close to your school.</p>
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<p>I’d give a qualified yes. Firms do tend to hire regionally and also from the same schools that their partners attended. The qualification would be that since the top Northeast schools have become prohibitively selective, many of the Eastcoast firms are “discovering” that there are good architecture schools in other parts of the country.</p>
<p>UMich has a very good reputation WORLDWIDE. Detroit may be depressed but other parts of the great middle are still building.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip! I will file that information away for the future.</p>
<p>momrath - I hope this does not sound impertinent (I really don’t mean it to!), but where exactly in the great middle (I’m assuming that’s midwest) is there construction? I’m not completely familiar with the whole midwest, but I am quite familiar with Ohio and Michigan, mostly the rust belt.</p>
<p>And, keeping this in mind, would such places theoretically be better places to practice in assuming they will be looking for new fresh outlooks if/when the recession subsides?</p>
<p>bns, no offense taken. I’m originally from Michigan myself, but have lived on both coasts and overseas. My son chose eastcoast schools twice and will probably end up there. </p>
<p>My point is that there are good architecture schools and firms doing sophiticated and creative work all over the country. Keep an open mind and don’t limit yourself geographically.</p>
<p>Okay, I will keep that in mind down the line</p>