Evaluating different architecture programs

College Majors Architecture Major
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<p>I need additional input on the following Architecture programs to help guide decisions: I know choosing a college where you want to settle plays a major role, as they have regional reputations. The list below includes schools from all over the US. I am looking more for insight on their particular programs, professors, etc. Cheers, you suggested to review the faculty list. What do you typically look for? Strictly the schools that they came from? We've compared classes offered, but based on experience at other schools, available classes come and go as do the visiting professors. Often it is the "feel" of the department, their particular bent (design / construction / planning / etc.) or the nuances of the current professors that make the difference, which is hard to determine from college catalogues. My daughter is looking for a program that offers variety and the ability to explore many fields outside of architecture as well. She's not 100% sure of architecture. Here are our brief first-impressions. The more information, the better!</p>

<p>Syracuse: Good faculty; Okay, but somewhat sterile facilities (which are temporarily downtown); Highly -recognized design-focused program; Little interaction with the Interior Design program. So-So campus in a so-so town (okay my personal opinion). COLD!!! Student body primarily from NE. and NY.</p>

<p>Rice: Highly recognized architecture program, but has few other related options at the college should architecture fall from grace; Small number of students, presumably allowing for more faculty interaction and guidance; Tremendous preceptor (i.e. intern) options all over the US and world; Gorgeous campus; More varied student body from throughout the US; HOT!!!</p>

<p>Northeastern: Somewhat rigid program, but integral with a co-op experience, and work experience is tremendously important for future architects; Located in Boston, offering first-hand exposure to a great city (and Boston firms); Does not require a portfolio for admissions, assuming students have different art backgrounds in high school (Does this also translate that "design" is less important in their program?); offers a 5th year masters for continuing NE students (6 years total w/ co-op). Very urban, but well-maintained campus; Student body primarily from NE.</p>

<p>Miami of Ohio: Design-focus school, but offers a variety of options in a liberal arts atmosphere; First year studio introduces student to the multitude of design fields (graphic, interiors, landscape, urban, etc.) after which they can set a more directed path. Not well known outside of the Ohio area (for architecture); Some wonderful study abroad options; Great facilities and studio space. Oxford is not exactly a booming metropolis (understatement); Student body primarily from OH.</p>

<p>Roger Williams: Does anyone know anything about this program or the quality of the graduates? Their website is very limited, as is their written brochures; Looks like an idyllic setting near enough to major cities, but still somewhat secluded; Offers a unique program in Architectural Restoration (Historical based). Less selective school (in general); Large number of students pursuing Architecture; Student body primarily from NE.</p>

<p>Washington U. St.Louis: Offers the ability to transfer to other programs and take outside courses; Flexible curriculum with a variety of other options (visual communications / business / etc.) ; Nice studios; Gorgeous campus; Serious student body from all over the US, concentrating in Midwest.</p>

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<p>I would take a really close look at the curriculum- how many design studios does it require? How many structures, math and physics courses? How many history/theory courses? How many on professional practice or business? There's no magic number to these things, but if your kid isn't so hot at math, then one with more history/theory and less structures is obviously going to appeal more, and visa-versa. And more design studios generally = a better education. Also, is there an intership program or study abroad program in place at one or more of these schools that your kid gets excited about?</p>

<p>Look at the student work on the websites and in school publications. Is it all pretty similar, or is diversity of approach encouraged? If it is similar, is it something the student likes, or something they think is pretty ugly? </p>

<p>Look at facilities- do the students each get dedicated studio space? Is it open 24 hours, or are they forced to lug their supplies to and from studio to get their work done at night, or hide from janitors until they can start working again? Is there lots of space, or is it so tight that the school will attempt to flunk or scare students out of the program in the second year? Are there plenty of computers, as well as plotting, 3Dprinting, 3Dscanning, and/or lasercutting equipment? Digital fabrication is becoming a big thing, and it's hard to be on the cutting edge of when the school lacks equipment. </p>

<p>Also, is admission for architecture or pre-architecture? Some schools (notably UF and ASU, though I'm sure others do it too), admit students to pre-architecture, and then make them submit portfolios at the end of the second year. With these programs, they frequently admit faaaaaaaar more students to pre-architecture than they have space for in the upper division program, so many students will be turned away after two years. Is this a challenge your kid relishes and feels up for, or a bother that leaves his future uncertain?</p>

<p>Anyways, I've rambled on enough here, but you can see that there's a lot to consider beyond vague things like 'reputation'.</p>

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<p>I looked up the Faculty at Rice. Woooo doggie, they love them Harvard grads at the top end of their list (full profs and assist profs). And they have too many Rice grads in the middle and bottom of their list. That suggests they are somewhat inbred, self-satisfied and/or cannot attract sexy faculty. Rice is in Houston--which is NOT a hotbed of cutting edge architecutre. Neither is Syracuse so I don't know how they pull that off exactly. </p>

<p>In general, I don't think the Rice faculty is as diverse as Syracuse. I think a top flight diverse faculty provides a) a ton of choices for the 'hot' design classes and b) beneficial debate among the faculty--varying points of view. When you are out in the provinces, you need that debate lest you buy into your own PR.</p>

<p>Also, where are the female professors? Knock, knock... Rice? It's 2007. Does that pro-male faculty skew affect the girls in the school? </p>

<p>K, conjur up a picture of your daughter at 25--with her degree and swinging for the fences. What is she doing? Where would she be happiest? The where is a huge part of the decision.</p>

<p>Of the programs you list, Rice, Syracuse and WUSTL have national reputations though Syracuse plays better in New York. Rice and WUSTL grads tend to stay closer to home. That's my impression and generalization.</p>

<p>The junky part about archtiecture is that if you don't get a BArch, you set yourself up for a mighty steep climb to the top of the profession. You come out with a MArch I and are competing with all of those MArch IIs. Interestingly, most of the Rice faculty is March II. Most of the Yale faculty is MArch Is. Perhaps the East Coast is more tolerant of MArch Is? Possible. </p>

<p>Good luck. Why isn't she trying for Cornell?</p>

<p>k--aren't you an architect?</p>

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<p>My D is a freshman at Syracuse. One thing that attracted her to the program was the study abroad program in the fourth year. Syracuse has a well established Floence center and now one in London.</p>

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<p>dtwmm....my daughter does not attend Syracuse. However, last semester she did Syracuse arch program in Florence and loved it. Your D will too in a few years. It is really great.</p>