<p>I am studying at a liberal arts college and getting a degree in environmental science, but I hope to enter the M.Arch 1 (which is the 3 and a half year program). I have been researching a lot but I couldn't find much about this option, mostly just undergrad stuff. Can someone gimme some information about it, like is it easier to get in than undergrad (stats would be helpful)?, can i get a list of good school with this option? tips, recommendation, anything that will be helpful. Thank you.</p>
<p>Couple more questions. </p>
<p>Would it be better to get some work exp before entering this program? or it wont matter for this program? Also on the ACSA website I saw some programs had NAAB and some didnt, whats the deal with that? would it be useless to get a degree without the NAAB thing?</p>
<p>ahooga, I’m not sure why you are having problems finding this information as the schools’ websites are quite clear. Since there are dozens of colleges and universities that offer the M.Arch1 it’s difficult to give you a list. These are the top twenty from Design Intelligence [this is 2009; if 2010 is out I couldn’t find it.] There are many, many others.
- Harvard University</p>
<ol>
<li><p>University of Cincinnati</p></li>
<li><p>Columbia University</p></li>
<li><p>Massachusetts Institute of Technology</p></li>
<li><p>Yale University</p></li>
<li><p>Cornell University</p></li>
<li><p>Washington University in St. Louis</p></li>
<li><p>Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University</p></li>
<li><p>University of Michigan</p></li>
<li><p>University of Texas at Austin</p></li>
<li><p>Clemson University</p></li>
<li><p>Kansas State University</p></li>
<li><p>Princeton University</p></li>
<li><p>Texas A&M University</p></li>
<li><p>University of Virginia</p></li>
<li><p>Rice University</p></li>
<li><p>Georgia Institute of Technology</p></li>
<li><p>University of California at Berkeley</p></li>
<li><p>Rhode Island School of Design</p></li>
<li><p>Syracuse University</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Work experience is a plus, but not a strict requirement. Admissions is based on the following (roughly in priority order) portfolio, grades, recommendations, exam scores. Life experience and diversity are also heavily weighted. </p>
<p>Most programs require that you have taken courses in art studio and/or architectural drawing, art history, physics and calculus, though the individual schools’ requirements vary widely. Some will allow you to make up requirements after admissions.</p>
<p>Admissions to the top ranked schools is intensely competitive so it’s a good idea to apply to a balance of reach/match/safety schools, just like undergrad.</p>
<p>Many programs conduct information sessions in the Fall which are excellent sources of information.</p>
<p>In most states you will only be able to get your license if you have graduated from a NAAB-accredited program (B Arch or M Arch).</p>
<p>M.Arch programs rarely publish admissions stats (U.Mich does), and often times they’re a bit misleading, as they tend to lump M.Arch 1, 2, and 3 stats together.</p>
<p>Tips? Get your GRE and pre-reqs out of the way first. If you haven’t had a chance to take studio art classes before, you should (or at least be highly motivated to produce art works on your own). Start working on your portfolio as soon as possible (and don’t just place the images on a layout willy-nilly; think of the portfolio itself as a design project). </p>
<p>Complete list of M.Arch programs
[Master</a> of Architecture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.Arch]Master”>Master of Architecture - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Go on to archinect.com and sift through the ‘Commiserate’ threads. It’s basically where prospective students bemoan/discuss the m.arch process/schools, share portfolios, critique each other. I’m pretty sure the Commiserate 2011 has already been created.</p>
<p>And as momrath mentioned, most schools hold Open House events in October/early November. Almost all fall on a weekday, so if you do plan to attend, you may have to skip class.</p>
<p>Also, just peruse through each school’s M.Arch website and curriculum. You can get a rather good feel of what the program’s pedagogy will be like.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone I really appreciate it, your posts were really helpful. </p>
<p>Mamrath: Is the list for M.Arch in general or specific to option 1? Probably M.Arch right?</p>
<p>Cagb1016: So getting a degree without the NAAB-accredited program would be totally useless if I plan to get a license if I become an architect?</p>
<p>Are the summer programs really worth the money? I’ve looked around and its around 3-5k for 2-4 weeks. I really want to do it for the experience and hopefully projects to add to my portfolio. I know in the summer program students make models, sketches, and maybe plans and sections (i dunno), but from what I read on other threads about portfolio it is not encouraged to have architecture related stuff, because universities want to teach it to you or something. So do these summer program sound like a good idea?</p>
<p>“I read on other threads about portfolio it is not encouraged to have architecture related stuff”</p>
<p>Definitely not true. Arch schools generally do not want to see 3D renderings, but if you have the chance to attend a summer program and produce 1 or 2 well developed projects, definitely do put it in there. I’ve visited about 8 M.Arch programs already and at the schools that allowed prospective students to look at portfolios from past accepted students, some of the portfolios did have arch projects.</p>
<p>Ohh ok i think the posts were talking about CAD related projects too. </p>
<p>“Arch schools generally do not want to see 3D renderings”. Ooooooooo, i actually produced a 3D rendering of a my parents’ new house for fun on SketchUp. Its not a rough rendering, i actually did it according to plans and sections, and the surrounding environment, all with accurate dimensions So i probably shouldn’t add it into my portfolio?</p>
<p>Hmmmm ok, i think ill consider attending a summer program, id like to further expand my interest n hopefully produce developed projects to add to my portfolio. Also can summer programs count towards requirements/ credits for M.Arch? </p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p>As you read I am getting a degree in Environmental Science, so I am really interested in sustainable architecture. This might be a stupid questions, but when would I get to specialize in sustainable architecture? M.Arch? PhD? Sustainable architecture specific M.Arch? or is there no such thing?</p>
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<p>I agree with quatsch. Definitely not true. My son didn’t include architectural drawings or models in his portfolio because he though his fine art was stronger but during the admissions he was specifically asked by one school “where is the architecture?” </p>
<p>I believe all of the schools on the DI list offer the MArch 1, but sometimes it’s labeled differently.</p>
<p>My son went to a summer program at Columbia. He enjoyed the experience – being in New York, schmoozing with architects and wannabes – but thought the program itself was fairly worthless. The instructors were disinterested and disengaged.</p>
<p>Sustainable is BIG everywhere now, but some schools are specialists. Take a look at MIT for example.</p>
<p>“but from what I read on other threads about portfolio it is not encouraged to have architecture related stuff, because universities want to teach it to you or something.”</p>
<p>I think that was me who said that. That is what we were told at RPI. RPI, one school. I never meant to imply it was a general rule. I am sure other schools are different. And even there, they said they didnt want to see your CAD drawings. Our DD included an artistic photo she took of some buildings, I am sure they were fine with that.</p>
<p>Sustainable: Yep, as momrath said, check out MIT (though their urban design program is more sustainably oriented than the m.arch program, which is a shame) and UTSOA (you can do an m.arch with specialisation or emphasis in sus. design). Really, any school that does design/build typically also has a good grasp on sustainability. </p>
<p>I’ve probably written this in a million threads by now, but the Harvard CDisco program was great. Produced 2 (of 3) really developed projects for my portfolio, my studio prof. is more than happy to write a LofRec, and every single person in my studio has gone on to arch. grad school. I doubt a summer course would count towards m.arch reqs, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Maybe that’s the case with UC Berkeley’s new program [IN] ARCH.</p>
<p>Agree with advice given by momrath and so<em>ein</em>quatsch. Will add to the things that are considered in the application to MArch programs is the Statement of Purpose you must write. </p>
<p>I think one possible difference in Brooklynborndad’s advice about architectural stuff in the portfolio (or not) is that his D was applying to BArch programs and you are talking of applying to MArch ones. When my D applied to MArch ones, and got into several well known ones, she included architectural stuff. She also went to Career Discovery at Harvard and those samples were also included, as well as others. </p>
<p>As far as Sustainable Design, this is my D’s main area of interest. There are some MS programs with different names but some are in Sustainable Design and some are called Building Technology. You may also wish to examine those options and not just the MArch degree programs.</p>
<p>If you don’t have a B Arch degree from a NAAB-accredited school, you will need a M Arch from an NAAB-accredited school to become licensed (as well as passing the licensing exams and completing about 3 years of internship). There may be some exceptions, but I think this is true in almost all states. Without the B Arch degree, if you get a masters degree from a program that is not NAAB-accredited, you can still work in an architecture firm, but you will not be able to become registered (licensed). If your goal is to get your license, definitely go with a NAAB-accredited program.</p>
<p>I admire your desire to do sustainable architecture, but you have 3.5 years of studio time to learn to be an architect. Not a lot of time. Pick the best overall program you can get into and I suspect you will get exposed to sustainable principles in your studio projects as well as in your electives. The specialization can come after you get your first professional degree. Don’t worry there are many MS degrees in sustainability cropping up.</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>There are some MS degrees related to sustainable design and building tech where you do not have to first have a professional architecture degree too.</p>
<p>I have looked into a lot of summer programs and two that r affordable r Harvard and UT Austin. they r both around 2-3k for a decent length of time. R summer programs hard to get into? Any advice on increasing my chances of getting in?
I thought the UC Berkeley [IN] Arch program was for people with a undergrad degree or in their senior year?
So it looks like I HAVE to get into a NAAB-Accredited M.Arch Program.</p>
<p>“I actually produced a 3D rendering of a my parents’ new house for fun on SketchUp. Its not a rough rendering, i actually did it according to plans and sections, and the surrounding environment, all with accurate dimensions So i probably shouldn’t add it into my portfolio?” Any comments about this?</p>
<p>BTW this was my first thread and I am new to this forum, I was really surprised with everyones willingness to help and I REALLY appreciate it. Thanks everyone. I promise once I become a pro ill give back to this forum :)</p>
<p>Summer programs are money making projects for architecture schools and are not particularly selective. If you demonstrate an interest you’ll get in.</p>
<p>Now I feel like im being scammed hahaha. Ok, I really just want to develop my interest and hopefully develop projects to add to my portfolio.</p>
<p>Usual requirements r essay, LOR, and transcript right? And usually when would summer programs for 2011 come out?</p>