<p>As a rising senior in a highly-ranked liberal arts college, I am currently starting to think about life after college. I will be getting a BA in Environmental Studies and Biology (minoring in visual arts) and though I have learned a lot and do not regret my undergrad experience, I feel a bit unprepared for the future. I have an idea of what I want to do - I'm interested in design and the built environment as well as sustainability and ecology, which makes me seem pretty scattered, but I truly enjoy both art and science. Hence my interest in architecture, though environmental engineering is also appealing in its own way (dealing with the environment and also having the aspect of creating and problem-solving) and has similarities with architecture. I guess I'm having trouble deciding which route would be best for me. I like math and biology, but physics is just 'meh' for me. At the same time, I'm worried that design in architecture won't be for me...</p>
<p>Anyone have similar feelings or input? At the moment I am looking at both architecture and engineering programs and may apply for them both, just to keep my options open. Is this not a good idea? I also thought about just getting my M.S. in environmental engineering and then later going on to architecture grad school to get my M.Arch...</p>
<p>It really comes down to a basic choice between engineering and architecture. Would you rather sketch or would you rather crunch numbers? Are you happy with ambiguity, or would you rather know when you have the right answer? Would you rather wear a black turtleneck or a pocket protector? (that last one is a joke).</p>
<p>I’d highly suggest that you look into one of those intro to arch. summer/semester programs (CDisco at Harvard, SciArc’s M+M, Berkeley also has a pretty new program called [IN]ARCH). M.Arch programs can often cultivate a strong ‘love it or hate it, take it or leave it’ environment that isn’t for everyone. Also, there are plenty of great M.Arch programs that would sate/whet your interests in design, the built env, sustainability, ecology, as well as more env.eng-y modules like watershed analysis and LIDs. Look into MIT.</p>
<p>So, I’d say do a summer program, start talking to both arch and EnvEng students, and if you’re still equally interested in both, apply to both programs.</p>
<p>thanks, these are helpful answers. landscape architecture does sound appealing and i would love to become an environmental architect with engineering experience! of course i know it’s hard to be both.
rick, you make a good point - i do like sketching more than crunching numbers. i’ve been looking at different env eng programs and i think i’m realizing that i’m more into biology than chemistry and math.
another issue i am having is thinking about my future as an architect or env. engineer…basically, i’m worried about not being able to get a job with the economy like it is, which is why i’m thinking about going into environmental engineering and sketching on the side.</p>
<p>Dark, I hesitate to tell anybody right now not to worry and just major in architecture, because it is really quite brutal out there. However a career is long and any profession is going to have a lot of ups and downs, so just make sure your safety choice is something you are really going to enjoy doing for a long time.</p>
<p>whoaaa, that’s crazyy! i’m contemplating the same exact thing (except i just finished my freshman year of college). ahh it’s so hard to decide! I’m currently majoring in environmental engineering, but this env eng internship i’m on now is kind of deterring me from a career in env eng. I know that with an engineering degree, I’ll have more job opportunities than with an arch degree but I can’t imagine double majoring! Also, if I go into architecture and leave engineering, I’d have to start all over and be a year behind which doesn’t sound too great :\ </p>
<p>@rick12, you seem pretty experienced. Can you tell me more about getting a masters in architecture? Would I have to take courses now in order to get into a masters program in arch without a B.Arch?</p>
<p>15in, just pull up some of the course requirements for the MArch programs at places like Harvard, Columbia, Cal Berkeley or Wash U., and see what they require. They will probably require some math/physics courses, the structures courses you can usually get when enrolled in the program. You need to show some kind of portfolio, so some kind of design or art courses would be a big help, and certainly art history courses which show you have some interest in the field would be good. You are coming from a different major so you don’t need to show competency in the field, but something that indicates your creative potential is valuable.</p>
<p>lol seems like im not the only one with this struggle here~
im env eng, just finished first year as well, but im trying to do a BS/MS program…so it makes the situation even more skechy because in that case i would hardly have any time or credits to do arch related courses…
the BS/MS, according to my advisor, seems more rewarding than a minor in arch which is more theoretical than practical…and its a really hard decision…</p>
<p>@rick, by portpholio, do you mean like sketches or like CAD drawings?</p>
<p>By portfolio I mean an art/graphic portfolio, not a CAD portfolio. For a non-architecture undergraduate major it would not be unlike the portfolio a school would expect form a high school student for its undergraduate program. Something that indicates a level a of graphic/visual skill.</p>
<p>i m in the same dilemma as dark. i have completer my B.Arch but i m very much interested environmental issue… what can i do further? should i apply for M.arch or for M.S in Environmental Engineering?? i wonder, r they contradictory or compatible</p>
<p>Landscape architecture sounds perfect for you.</p>
<p>I’m a pre-LA here in Purdue and the experience has been very exciting so far. We get to draw lots of trees and buldings, build legos, and do some immediate sketching in class while discussing all the environmental isses and urban plannings and study for different kinds of plants and materials. I feel like it’s a very well-rounded career. Can’t wait for what’s going on next!</p>
<p>firoza; you have a professional degree, why not get a job and work a year or two to get a sense of the profession and where you want to go? If getting a job in this economy is too daunting, then I think I would consider an MS in Architecture (typically a three semester program) at a school with an emphasis on green architecture. Get involved with activities such as the solar decathlon and take as many electives as you can. This might be a way to satisfy your interest in sustainability in a program that allows you to apply it to design problems.</p>