I’m looking for a college with both a good architecture reputation but also a good reputation as a college as a whole.
Cornell, Rice, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, UTexas, and USC are all strong contenders.
There aren’t that many BArch programs with NAAB accreditation. A complete list can be found here:
https://www.naab.org/school-search-results/?f1_6472=&f1_6476=1
Colleges on the list with arguably the best overall reputations:
[ul][]Carnegie Mellon
[]Cooper Union
[]Cornell
[]Notre Dame
[]Penn State
[]Rice
[]RISD
[]RPI
[]Syracuse
[]Tulane
[]U Miami
[]USC
[]UT Austin
[]Virginia Tech[/ul]
Other solid options:
[ul][]Auburn
[]Cal Poly SLO
[]Cal Poly Pomona
[]CCNY
[]Drexel
[]IIT
[]Iowa State
[]LSU
[]Mississippi State
[]NC State
[]NJIT
[]Oklahoma State
[]U Arizona
[]U Arkansas
[]U Houston
[]UNC Charlotte
[]U Oklahoma
[]U Oregon
[li]UT Knoxville[/ul][/li]
If you’re open to HBCUs, Howard is another excellent option.
@aspiringarch23, You first have to decide which undergraduate degree you are targeting. There are two ways to achieve a professional architecture degree.
The first is a 5.0 year Bachelor OF Architecture (BArch). Some 6.0 year programs include a year of co-op work experience. There are about 50 universities in the US that offer the BArch. @warblersrule has listed some of the highly regarded BArch programs that are situated within highly ranked universities. For a ranking of BArch programs alone, look at Design Intelligence rankings. Within architecture industry, the strength of the individual BArch program may outweigh the ranking of its parent university.
The second approach is a 4.0 year BA/BS/BED degree IN architecture, architectural studies or anything else plus a Master of Architecture (MArch). The time that the MArch takes varies from 1.0 to 3.5 years depending on the undergraduate degree and on the MArch program.
There are many, many highly ranked universities that offer solid BA/BS/BED degrees in architecture, architectural studies or other related fields that offer strong entrees to highly ranked MArch programs. Some that I would mention are UVA, UMich, UCBerkeley, WUSTL, Yale, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, Columbia, MIT. In order to be admitted to a highly ranked MArch program you do not need to major in architecture as an undergraduate or attend a university that has a school of architecture. You do, however, have to fulfill the MArch admission requirements which usually include submitting an art portfolio and taking courses in art studio, art history, physics and calculus. I would stress that MArch requirements vary widely.
The BArch is the fastest route to becoming a licensed architect. It is, however, a narrowly focused degree that doesn’t allow much leeway for exploration in other disciplines, and is best for students who are 100% sure that they want to become architects. Increasingly many architects at top firms have both BArchs and MArchs.
The BA/BS/BED+MArch route make take longer and therefore cost more, but it offers more flexibility to experience other disciplines as an undergraduate. Many BA/BS grads will work in architecture for a couple of years before heading back for their MArch.
(As if that’s not complicated enough, there are also a few of schools of architecture that offer 5.0 year MArchs. These degrees are accredited but not rated by DI.)
All of these degrees and degree combinations are considered valid approaches to a career in architecture. Firms don’t view one better than the other, but one may be better than the other for you, personally, both in curriculum and in financing.
Thanks for all this info!! Another question, when it comes to admission to undergrad would it be true that BArch schools will care more about your portfolio whereas BA/BS will care more about traditional app things like GPA ECs etc?
QS rankings for Architecture 2018
MIT
UCB
Harvard
Columbia
UCLA
Georgia Tech
Cornell
Stanford
Princeton
Michigan
Penn
Illinois
Texas
https://www.archdaily.com/889883/the-top-200-universities-in-the-world-for-architecture-2018
Not all BArch programs require a portfolio, even some of the most highly rated. Some that do not are: Auburn, CalPoly SLO, UT Austin, VA Tech. Admission to BArch programs within academically rigorous universities (e.g., Cornell, Rice) often expect both high GPA/scores AND good portfolios. Those within art schools (e.g. RISD, Pratt) may be more forgiving on academics.
Conversely some BS architecture programs do require (or at least encourage or recommend) a portfolio. At some, first years apply to the university, then later after an introductory year or two, apply to the architecture major. At some, the architecture program starts on day one. Again, admission standards for BA/BS architecture programs closely mirror standards for the general admission pool.
Signficantly some BA/BS programs lead seamlessly into the same school’s MArch. At others admission to the school’s MArch is highly competitive, even for its own BA/BS holders and there is no guarantee of admission.
So the answer is, it depends.
The reason that these explanations get so complicated, is that architecture education IS complicated. NAAB accreditation ensures that the curriculum will cover required topics; however, there’s a lot of leeway within the individual school’s emphasis, admission requirements and degree requirements. You really have to study the background material.
@aspiringarch23, perhaps if you’d explain your concerns and what you are aspiring toward, it would be easier to help you assemble your apply list.
Thanks I’m leaning towards a BS for the more traditional college experience at a well regarded university with the exception of applying to Cornell and USC which are BArch, so for those two schools what would be a good range of sat scores where it will not weaken my application?
@aspiringarch23, I don’t know too much about USC BArch admissions except that the department is heavily design driven and portfolio evaluation is weighted heavily.
Cornell also puts a lot of emphasis on the portfolio and requires an interview as well. GPA and scores should be within range of Cornell University as a whole. Admit rates to the BArch program are extremely competitive. As they note in their website: “Applicants need to present evidence of creative ability and commitment to the field of architecture in addition to having strong academic credentials.” If you can, arrange to attend an AAP information session.
I would note that many BArch and BS Architecture programs offer information sessions to prospective students. These usually take place in October/November and are VERY helpful to get an overview of what admissions are looking for.
Thanks! I’ve attended one at Cornell but probably won’t get the chance to attend USCs because I’m ok the east coast.