<p>I have spent days asking about, googling, and trying to get as many opinions as I can about which architecture program I should pursue. I got accepted into both University of Virginia and Virginia Tech for architecture, and I'm having difficulty choosing a school because they have different programs each... and transferring will be extremely difficult (so I hear). </p>
<p>UVA has a 4 + 2 program where I graduate with a Bachelor of Science of Architecture and continue on to my Master of Architecture because their BS degree isn't accredited by the NAAB. It's a pre-professional degree. UVA's BS degree is supposed to be very liberal arts based. Apparently it means more options for minors (I want to minor in art [maybe]), and if I decide arch isn't the way to go, I'm not totally screwed over? lol </p>
<p>I visited UVA the past weekend and I took a tour of their department. I like the student works that I saw and the building is nice. It was a lot smaller than I thought. </p>
<p>I know VTech is highly ranked for their BA Architecture (I don't care too much about rankings) but it's extremely vigorous; if I suddenly change my mind about Architecture... I'm screwed. But VT gets you prepared better because it's 5 yrs of arch in contrast to an intro+2yrs (read this somewhere) [I can't minor in Studio Art b/c VT's departments and whatnot... long story short, they won't let you]
I haven't had the chance to visit VT's studio (I have visited the campus though) and I hear that's it's amazing. </p>
<p>I have never taken an architecture class before. I have sat through with my friend while she does her ACE Mentorship work so I get the basic idea about architecture, and it's something I definitely want to do... But there's that small bit of doubt inside of me because I've been told that everyone changes what they want to major. I have drawing experience from Art1-Art4 + AP Studio Art, and I'm taking AB Calc and Physics B. With this in mind, I feel like UVA's path is the better way to go? Since I have no prior arch experience.</p>
<p>I know I want to have my master's. I don't know when I want to pursue getting it though- take a year or two to work and then pursue it or go immediately into the masters program. VTech also has their B/M combined program too...</p>
<p>Does anyone have any insight on this?<br>
I haven't paid my deposit to either schools yet. :/</p>
<p>xchristineee, First off congratulations on being admitted to two great programs. You have done well already I have a little familiarity with both programs, my son is in the landscape arch program at VT, his best friend is in the VT arch program and we have good friends with a son in UVA’s program. I will try to be as unbiased as I can, but realize that we feel very fortunate to have had ours get his arch education at Tech. </p>
<p>You basically have summarized the differences in the two schools’ architectural approaches. VT will give you much more studio time, at least two more semesters, and and will be more technical in its approach. You will come out in 5 yrs ready to work and will not need 2-3 years of grad school. Larger program obviously and personally we felt the facilities and studio spaces were far superior, but the new bldg at UVA was not open yet. </p>
<p>Don’t doubt your abilities to do this! They wouldn’t have taken you if they didn’t think you could! In my son’s first year, he said that many of the kids in the foundation classes had no prior AutoCAD or arch experience and the ones that did were quickly knocked down off their high horses by the profs…they want to teach you from the ground up and the right way. </p>
<p>If you decide arch isn’t for you, then you can change your major and you could go into studio art or another field in CAUS like land arch or industrial or interior design. Or you could go another route all together…they have quite a few options at a big university like VT! </p>
<p>Although it is a rigorous major, bc he took in so many AP credits, my s was able to find room in his schedule to take quite a few electives in other areas of interest. In fact he is minoring in another related field, so contrary to what some say, your BARCH education can be more diversified if you want it to be. </p>
<p>Well, I guess you can tell which side we are on I respect UVA a great deal, don’t get me wrong. You would get a great education no matter which you choose. Because of its focus, the 5 yr pre-professional degree and the ability to spend more time in those arch studios (and yes they are amazing!) our son made the best decision for him and it has been terrific. Best of luck in your decision and once you make it, don’t look back. Just be happy and proud.</p>
<p>Ok, I have a bias here because my wife is a UVA graduate and on the advisory committee for the architecture school. I know VT has gotten very high ratings, however I would still vote for UVA. It has a campus with the best ensemble of buildings in the U.S., and it is a great place to study architecture. The Ivy League graduate programs are full of UVA grads, and the school has a strong reputation in the industry.</p>
<p>A BArch from VT is a very solid degree (we have two VT grads and they are great), and if you go to UVA you will need to get a Masters degree, but I still think it would be worth it.</p>
<p>“The Ivy League graduate programs are full of UVA grads” </p>
<p>rick12, our friends who have the son at UVA’s arch school speak to that… the hope that their guy will get into a great grad school-maybe not an ivy- But both are teachers and at times have lamented about the thousands of extra dollars that they are going to need to come up with to help him when he goes on to get his MARCH. </p>
<p>With the economy the way it is right now, and the job prospects for design kids in general, they worry about the extra loan/grad school money being repaid. But, in the end all of us worry I guess Hopefully by the time the OP is done, things will have turned around a bit.</p>
<p>Again, best of luck to the OP in her decision.</p>
<p>KandKsmom; there is no doubt that when you are looking at finances a BArch is the most effective way to go, and VT has a very strong program. It gives you more options down the road.</p>
<p>We just finished this process and one train of thought that emerged in the urban schools is that a MArch is becoming more desirable in the workplace than a BArch. You were competing for the same jobs however the MArch provided an edge. This came from students that were had graduated and worked, some with a BS and some with BArch, and they were back in grad school. So, who knows how true this is but it is a data point to consider if you are on the fence.</p>
<p>I would disagree that an MArch will always make you more desirable in the workplace than a BArch, it just depends on the particular schools. A BArch from some schools is more desirable than an MArch from others. Several schools now have also changed the degree they award for their five year programs from a BArch to an MArch (KU and Tulane), with no change in the course requirements. I’m not sure that makes their graduates more desirable.</p>
<p>I will concede that in the NE, an MArch from Harvard, Yale, Columbia, or Princeton will put you at the top of the food chain if you want to work for a high profile firm. You just have to look at each case individually.</p>
I have a little familiarity with both programs, my son is in the landscape arch program at VT, his best friend is in the VT arch program and we have good friends with a son in UVA’s program. I will try to be as unbiased as I can, but realize that we feel very fortunate to have had ours get his arch education at Tech. </p>