S2 was fortunate to be admitted to several 5-year B.Arch programs, and is trying to choose one. We’d be interested in hearing advice from any current or former students (or parents of ones) in these programs, especially about their experiences, pro or con.
The schools are (in no particular order):
Syracuse
Carnegie-Mellon
Virginia Tech
USC
Tulane
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Pratt
Congrats! This is a nice problem to have. :). Is cost a factor? Did your son receive merit? Also read the prior post on Michigan… That may help? Which university does your son like? Does he have a favorite? Also does your son prefer a certain location (these are all over the country)?
One thing I will point out… I really like that Tulane offers both a 4 year BS in Arch and 5 year BArch. That’s a really nice flexible option to have in case the BArch is too difficult.
They are all good choices but he should try to pick the university that fits him.
I just looked up USC. They also offer both 4 year vs 5 year undergraduate degrees in Architecture. That’s great!!
@UpstateNYDad, That’s quite an impressive – and diverse – list of acceptances! I’m sure you and your son are in the midst of addressing the overarching factors of financial aid, geographic location and culture. These considerations always important in college choice, but architecture poses specific challenges.
Entry level architecture jobs are relatively low paying (in proportion to the level of education) and in some markets, the MArch is becoming the preferred degree, much like an MBA. Because of that you want to think about funding not only 5.0 years of a BArch, but what may come after.
Geographic location impacts internship and job placement as well as name recognition. These schools are all highly regarded in architecture professionals, but for different reasons, which leads to culture. The list includes a design school, two tech schools and four “full service” universities. The undergraduate experience – the focus of the architecture department and the make-up of the overall student body – would be different at each.
I would also note that USC participates in the newly formed Integrated Path Initiative which (at least in theory) gives BArch students a leg up on the licensing process.
Thanks, @newjersey17 and @momrath. Yes, we are focused too on financial aid and location/culture differences too. Our son and we also gave a lot of consideration to the 5 year B.Arch v. 4 year B.S. issue and while there are merits to each course, he’s decided on the former.
@momrath, we had heard and read some about the Integrated Path Initiative, which sounds interesting. But do you know, is it going to be put into effect in time to cover students starting B.Arch programs next year? Or is it still going to be in the conceptual/planning phase for the next several years?
@UpstateNYDad, You may be right that the actual implementation of the Integrated Path Initiative may take some time. I haven’t read any more about it since the program was announced. I couldn’t even find a mention of it on the USC architecture website!
NCARB says that the median time from graduation to licensure is seven years so just getting a head start on a few exams (with supportive prep from the school) would be a plus.