Half a month to decide: Pratt, Parsons and Bernard and Spitzer School of Architecture

College Majors Architecture Major
1

<p>I have been accepted to the three year First Professional M.Arch programs at Pratt, Parsons and the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture(which is part of City College).</p>

<p>Now I have approximately 15 days to decide where to begin my graduate studies for the next three years of my life.</p>

<p>Pratt is around 50k a year, City College is about 12k a year and Parsons is offering me a small scholarship(where the total would be around 30k).</p>

<p>Can someone please clarify the pros and cons of attending each of the three schools. With the architecture programs relatively new at City College and Parsons, would this prove to be a disadvantage when looking for a job after my studies?</p>

2

<p>I know for certain that pratt has a great program, but at 50k for 5 years, it might not be worth it.</p>

3

<p>It’s only 3 years, though still a good chunk of bones to pay. I actually loved Parsons’ M.Arch program when I visited last year – quite the practical, hands-on school, what with its Design Workshop (4th studio). Studio space is decent, shared with MFA in Lighting and Int. Des, though the fabrication/wood working rooms are mad small. Also, they have a photo lab but it’s only open to the Art students? What’s up with that? Most studios tend to draw from the rich professional pool of NYC for critics and guest studio profs, though I think they also have at least 1 int. studio for the 3rd years(?). They are also doing the Solar Decath this year, and I’m betting D. Leven will continue to integrate these design/build projects into the program. The entire M.Arch class is rather small in size. </p>

<p>Don’t know much about Pratt, other than they love parametric modeling and GSAPP-esque fabrication (not my cup o’ tea). CCNY has a solid faculty and I’d say they have a similar pedagogy to Parsons – a balance between design and constructability.</p>

4

<p>@markkallstrom@ where did you go for college?</p>

5

<p>Hello, I know you posted this a year ago, but I’m curious which school you chose. I was also accepted to those three this year (and some others in different parts of the country). I’m visiting NY next week to check out Pratt, Parsons, CCNY and Cooper Union. Where did you end up going and how do you like it?</p>