Hi! I’m a senior applying to colleges this year with an interest in both computer science and architecture. I go to a STEM magnet school and have taken and done well in rigourous stem/CS courses. Other than submitting an art portfolio which would show my creativity and technical skill, I haven’t done any architecture specific internships or classes. Right now, I’m not sure which field I want to pursue but I would like to take classes in both fields in college to figure out which one I want to do. Most universities I am applying to have separate schools for Architecture and CS (in the college of arts and sciences). Would it be easier to apply as a CS major and possibly transfer to architecture in college if I decide to pursue it? What are my options?
It depends on the college.
It is likely that CS is more popular relative to departmental capacity than architecture is at many colleges. So it is likely that it is harder to switch into CS than switch into architecture at many colleges, in terms of capacity in the major. But check each college to be sure.
However, capacity in the major is not the only consideration. Both majors may have considerable prerequisite requirements that need to be started right away, so your first year schedule must take courses to progress in both majors if you want to be able to change major to the other without delaying graduation.
Note that NAAB accredited BArch programs suitable as first professional degrees in architecture are five year programs. Four year BA/BS in architecture programs could allow doing an MArch program in less time than it would take someone with a BA/BS in an unrelated field like CS (normally three years, but could be less for someone with a BA/BS in architecture or even less for someone with a BArch).
Hi
My senior son is in the same boat. Interested to hear what you ultimately decided and where you ended up? thanks!