<p>My son has begun to receive acceptances to Masters of Architecture programs. Athough he hasn't heard yet from several schools in the Northeast, he's quite excited to have been accepted to Virginia, Michigan and WUSTL. He plans to attend their information sessions and would appreciate getting some feedback from anyone who would care to comment on the comparative pros and cons of these three programs.</p>
<p>momrath,</p>
<p>My daughter will be at the WUSTL program also and looking forward to hearing from a few others. We visited Wash U 4 years ago and they did a phenomenal job with their Admitted Student Days. I understand they have made a major commitment to the Arch programs and I expect this will be extremely well done.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about these programs except that both Virginia and WUSTL had good reputations 25 years ago. If I had it to do again, I’d look for programs that give students a chance to be part of a design build project and that have a reputation for having good practical courses as well as design courses. But the people who went on to more boutique firms or into academia were probably well served by Columbia. I’d also be interested in what sort of help they give to summer internships. I got none, not helped by the fact that I wanted to go out to CA in the summers to join my husband to be.</p>
<p>We visited Michigan several months ago. They were definitely promoting the fact that they have a large network to help obtain internships for their students. They also have small design/build projects throughout the building. They are very small projects, study or rest areas mostly, but my daughter was very impressed that the students have these opportunities and wished they were available at Illinois.</p>
<p>momrath, I want to congratulate your son on his acceptances so far when the process is not even over! My D did not apply to WUSTL, so can’t comment. She had UMich on her original list but shaved the list down to ten grad schools and UMich came off as she decided to stay in the East. It is supposed to be a good program. </p>
<p>She did get into UVA like your son. She went to the accepted student event last year since she had not been to the school previously and liked many things about their program. She liked it very much actually. She would have been happy to have attended but since she had six choices, she could get picky about specific criteria and for instance, she liked the location of her current school better (though that was not the only reason she chose it!!). UVA has a nice size program. She liked the focus on design in the public realm and community based design. Also, she is interested in sustainable design. She liked what she heard there. I know it has a nice campus. Sorry to not be more specific but attending the open house would be really good to do and your son can compare and contrast the programs up close and personal (I know he has visited some programs already). Good luck on the rest of the process and let me know how it turns out! Kudos to him so far!</p>
<p>Thanks very much for the comments. Becoming an architect has been my son’s ambition since he could hold a pencil so it’s really, really exciting for him to get these acceptances. It means he’s really going to do it!</p>
<p>I’m a Michigan alumna so we’re quite familar with Ann Arbor, but none of us has ever been to the other two schools. All three have good reputations at the firm that he’s employed by, but being Boston based they are biased toward the Northeast schools. They are also all offering varying degrees of financial aid. A year ago, this may not have been the determing factor, but in today’s economy it is significant. We’ll see what happens in the next few weeks.</p>
<p>Today’s update is “waitlist” from Yale. Not surprising, considering the size of the programa nd the low acceptance rate. </p>
<p>I was surprised, though, to learn that MArch programs waitlist, which I noted when momoftwins mentioned on the other thread that her daughter was waitlisted by her safety. Thinking about it, I guess graduate schools are in the same situation as undergrad programs: no one knows how the economy is going to affect yields so waitlists will be pivotal.</p>
<p>Any experience with likelihood of coming off the waitlist? Advice on how to approach?</p>
<p>I just heard one of my daughter’s friends was accepted to Harvard and waitlisted at Michigan. Go figure! </p>
<p>In the meantime she called one of the schools. When she told them her name, a person in Admissions said, “that’s funny - we were just talking about you”. She asked if that meant good news and was told they sent out most rejection letters already and don’t know yet if they’ll have a waitlist.</p>
<p>If anyone can figure out the waitlist conundrum, there’s a best selling book to write. :)</p>
<p>momoftwins, how many schools did your daughter apply to? My son applied to 9 and has only heard from 4. He could quite happily choose from the 3 that want him (with money!) but it’s stressful not knowing what’s to come. This is especially nerve wracking when the buzz says that others are hearing from some of the outstanding schools, while the schools themselves say that they haven’t sent anything yet. The information is so vague. </p>
<p>Is your daughter still interested in the school that waitlisted her or is WUSTL her first choice?</p>
<p>momrath,</p>
<p>She applied to 6 programs. I think 4 are reasonable reaches, 1 was a match, and 1 safety. She has heard from 2 and expects all answers by 4/1. </p>
<p>The match was U of Michigan. (I love Ann Arbor and our best friends live there. I’d love the idea that she could have backup parents nearby.) She liked the program but isn’t upset about being waitlisted as she has others she likes more. She is definitely looking forward to the visit at Wash U. as she thinks this would be a great program for her. Right now she’s focused on making the most informed decision possible which can only happen after the other schools let her know whether or not she’s accepted. We’re waiting for RISD, Pratt, U of Cincinnati, and UIC.</p>
<p>So, based on a comment in another post, has your son already graduated or is he in a co-op program? It sounds like he’s working at an architecture firm right now.</p>
<p>Also, do you plan on attending any of the visits with your son? She’ll be going to Wash U. with several of her classmates who were accepted, but I’m awfully curious.</p>
<p>Momoftwins, It sounds as if your daughter is unsure if she wants the full-service type of school or an arts school. Two good choices, but very different focuses.
I wish I could join my son on these visits as I’ve never seen any of these colleges, except Ann Arbor, but we live overseas so it’s not possible. </p>
<p>My son has a BA from Williams. He’s been working for a Boston architecture firm for about two years, but he’s in the marketing area, not design. It’s been a wonderful experience for him and the intensive pressure and long hours haven’t diminished his wish to be an architect himself. I think mainly because the partners he interacts with really love their work.</p>
<p>The latest complication (in a good way) is that he was admitted to Cornell. Unfortunately Cornell’s preview is at the same time as WUSTL’s so I don’t know which he’ll choose. WUSTL is still very appealing, but Upstate New York is an environment that he’s more familiar with.</p>
<p>Waitlist at Columbia. No news from a couple of others, which appear to be DOA at this point.</p>
<p>Still waiting for Cinncinnati, which I really like.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that MArch applications are up some 40-50% at some schools this year. I guess many young professionals have the same idea of sitting out the recession in graduate school. :)</p>
<p>You’re right momrath. She’s looking at variety in the schools, but all the schools offer opportunities to focus on her areas of interest. Congratulations to your son as his acceptances keep rolling in. Wouldn’t it be nice if all of life’s challenges were about choosing between 2 great options? :)</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, I have heard only positive comments about the WUSTL program from both undergrad and graduate students. I also understand that the university is putting quite a few resources into the architecture school. We visited 4 years ago and were very impressed. The campus is gorgeous, classes were lively and intellectually stimulating, studios were humming with activity, faculty members appeared to be very involved, and neighborhood is very safe. That was undergrad, but I’m expecting the same for grad.</p>
<p>I’ve also heard that the applications are up dramatically and that some schools will not have a waitlist this year. I, too, really like Cincinnati. As soon as this is resolved, I can begin to fret about a summer internship. ;)</p>
<p>Another great option today which is Cincinnati. Unfortunately the preview is the same date as both WUSTL and Cornell so it’s even more complicated. They are all three such good choices. </p>
<p>My son isn’t opposed to the Midwest or the South, but he doesn’t really have a feeling for what it would be like to live there. His key concern is that he would most likely end up living in Boston or New York and he’s not sure if Northeast firms recruit from these schools. He really needs to visit and see for himself what the schools are like. Right now he’s hoping to do some previews and some independent visits, but with a full-time – or time-and-a-half 
– job it’s getting really complex. </p>
<p>Any input comparing these choices would be appreciated: Michigan, WUSTL, Cincinnati, Virginia, Cornell. </p>
<p>Also any advice for waitlists?</p>
<p>momrath,</p>
<p>Which weekend did your son decide to attend? And how was it? Will he visit other schools?</p>
<p>WUSTL did a great job presenting a great program. She told me that many of the accepted students decided they wouldn’t visit any other schools because they liked it so much. She’s still going to visit UIC and then Pratt for the Interior Design grad program. Interestingly, Pratt doesn’t have a special admitted students visit program.</p>
<p>momoftwins, my son decided to go to Cornell’s open house instead of WUSTL’s. It was a tough choice. He’s still quite interested in WUSTL, and would like to visit. They’ve been so consistently organized and professional. Time’s running out though. Right now the choice seems to be between Cornell and Virginia. One day it’s 51/49 one way, the next day it’s 51/49 the other. </p>
<p>Pratt has a great interior / environmental design program. Very different atmosphere from the other schools. My son gravitates toward the non-urban campuses, but there are undeniable benefits to being in New York.</p>
<p>The feedback I had from her and several of her friends included:
- faculty was very impressive
- University is quite commited to making the Sam Fox School and especially Architecture into an even better program. They have a continuous improvement attitude
- financial aid appears to be flexible and reps are sincere/honest
- highly collaborative environment with supportive colleagues and faculty - current students from each program are truly happy with their choice
- extremely well-organized with excellent follow up from administration (current students said this is how the school is in all aspects and they consider it a pleasure)
- strong international opportunities
- very, very safe neighborhood (important for late hours in studio)
- variety of housing options for grad students
- beautiful facilities and equipment available - also campus is gorgeous
- spoke with current students from around the country and from many different undergrad programs - they all felt like they are getting an outstanding education and are confident that this training will allow them to be completely prepared at graduation to begin working</p>
<p>I spent the weekend with a friend who has lived in St. Louis most of her life. Food is incredible and shopping is terrific. The city is really nice with all the amenities of a large city, but with a warmer, fuzzier feel to it.</p>
<p>I hope your son gets to visit Wash U. It may add to the confusion, but also help to fine-tune the decision. In any event, he has marvelous options.</p>
<p>Here’s the UIC info:
- The program isn’t highly ranked, but seems to be competitive. The opportunity to study in Chicago is very appealing. They had 300+ applications, admitted close to 60 and plan to have a class of about 30.<br>
- Program is well-balanced, with a strong focus on design.<br>
- New leadership is revamping the school and making significant improvements at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Studio space is very nice with beautiful views of the Chicago skyline.
- She visited late on Friday. Grad students were in studio, working hard. Program was described as challenging.
- Great opportunity for study abroad - either full semester or summer.
- Faculty from around the world, including top programs. The fact that all are practicing architects at both large and small firms in Chicago allows for outstanding networking for anyone who wants to begin a career in Chicago.
- Neighborhood has improved tremendously in recent years. It’s just about trendy now. After being in Champaign, the urban setting is exciting. Needless to say, there are lots of fabulous and affordable restaurants, the campus is just a few minutes/blocks south of downtown Chicago, and numerous resources are available. Lots of housing alternatives.
- Extremely helpful and knowledgeable staff.
- Opportunity to take electives in other areas of Arts, i.e. Industrial Design. Nice for somebody who would like to do so.
- TA opportunities. Also, still waiting for financial aid letter.</p>
<p>My comment:
12) In-state cost with room and board will be about 1/3 of Wash U and Pratt. Even with Wash U’s scholarship, this will cost quite a bit less. </p>
<p>All in all, she was pleasantly surprised by the school and is strongly considering it. The only concern is that the program isn’t necessarily on anyone’s radar yet and doesn’t have the prestige of a Wash U or Pratt. For anyone remaining in Chicago, that’s not a problem. I would expect that after you have several years of work experience, your portfolio and references will be more important than the school attended.</p>
<p>momrath…my D also got into Cornell and UVA for the MArch and visited both and really liked both. I know it is a hard decision for your son but he can’t go wrong with these fine programs. The locations are very different.</p>
<p>And the decision is . . . Cornell! We are happy.</p>
<p>Congratulations to your son, momrath!! :):)</p>