!!Help me to choose an arch program

College Majors Architecture Major
1

I recently got accepted to these three schools and not sure which one I should commit.
Cal Poly SLO
Pratt (26k$ per year)
Penn State
RPI (22k$ per year)
University of Arizona (15k$ per year)
Virginia Tech

However, even though Cal Poly is my #1, I got confused when I got a really great amount of scholarship from Pratt.
What do you guys think which program is the best? After which schools ,alumnis will get a job easier and have a better salary? In which schools, students are glad w academics, student/teacher relations, social life etc?

2

Social life. You must be new to this architecture thing :).

It’s not like SLO is ranked at the top or anything (of course it is, a perennial top school) but remember the counterpoints. It’s a 5 and out and it’s quarters, like most CA schools I think. This makes things a lot more hectic than semester based 4+2 programs. Meaning, you better be 100% sure you like this and you know what you’re getting into.

To understand the academics part, go thru the plan of study that covers what is being taught at any given quarter. Look up faculty. See what their interests are. Try to visit and get a feel for the studio culture. If you have special interests (say, European architecture or what have you) see what they offer. See what co-op and study abroad opportunities they have.

In terms of placement, my daughter is in a highly rated (and ranked) school and pretty much anyone with a pulse can get an internship (required). That’s where the school’s reputation is paramount. You look at any larger sized arch firm and see where the principals and top people went, surprise, it’s the same schools and it’s kind of regional - West Coast, Central, East Coast… Arch hiring seems to be a bit more localized than other fields so keep that in mind too.

Pratt is a completely different story in terms of setting, culture, experience… And a great choice as well. Depending on the cost at SLO, it could be a good option. Virginia Tech is a very good program also, as are the other ones too. Again, it’s a good problem to have and you have lots of options. Just gather as much info as you can and even try to visit some.

3

Are you an international student?
If you are OOS for Cal Poly, the fees will be $40K per year.

4

@suggestanorange, Lots of good choices!
You should consider the environment of each school. Although BArch programs cover established curriculums, there’s a lot of variation in the location, focus and culture from school to school.

The types of schools can be loosely grouped as follows:
Technical School: Cal Poly SLO, RPI, Virginia Tech
Art School: Pratt
Design School within a large university: Penn State, U of Arizona

The basic courses within the architecture school will be similar, but the environment of the overarching university or institute will be different. For example, at some schools all of your classmates will be focused on some aspect of art or tech; at others they may be studying a wide range of disciplines. Some may offer the opportunity to join a fraternity or sorority. Some may offer big sports programs. One isn’t better than the other, just different.

Internships are available at all architecture schools, but the school’s location may impact where the internships are located. Also, name recognition is somewhat regional in the U.S. Outside of the U.S., the reputation of the parent university/institute and Design Intelligence ranking can carry a lot of weight.

Job opportunities after graduation depend a lot on the resume that you’ve built up to that point in summer internships and industry connections. Most entry level positions are relatively low paid (compared to other professional degrees).

Any of the scholarship offers would be a nice boost. Whether that becomes the determining factor in your decision, depends entirely on your financial situation, whether your family can afford 5.0 years at full pay or whether they’ll have to take out loans.

I hope you’ll have the opportunity to visit.

5

Just to clarify - you say you were accepted to three schools, but you list six. Assuming you’re looking for help/advice on all six…

@turbo93 and @momrath have offered some very valuable advice and things to think about. Now, here’s my two cents worth:

One point to clear up quickly - it’s not the amount of scholarship dollars that matter, it’s the remaining costs after you subtract out the scholarship that you need to consider. By far and away, one of the most important factors is affordability. Are you, or your family, okay with the attendance costs at all the schools that accepted you? Architecture is not one of the highest paying professions, especially for starting salaries.

As others have said, you have some very attractive, albeit diverse, academic choices to select from. I do always advise candidates to consider what their options are if they decide that architecture is not for them. D2’s BArch class lost 50% of its students in her first year. Do the schools you are considering have realistic choices in majors that you might transfer to? Major universities such as Penn State, Virginia Tech, and Arizona offer multiple choices and options if you change your major. Pratt, which is a very good arts/design school, doesn’t offer too many alternatives if you no longer want to be in the design field.

Your schools literally cross this entire nation. You’ve got northeast, southwest, west coast, east coast and a little dab into the beginnings of the midwest. Have you visited any or all of these schools? How’s the climate, the topography, the surrounding area, where do you think you fit? (Although as @turbo93 alludes to, no matter what school you choose, you’re gonna spend a whole lot of time in studio.:slight_smile: ) You will be living at that school for five years.

There’s a certain geographic association with where your school is and where you might be getting a job after graduation. Architecture schools frequently invite professional architects to come to campus to crit or judge projects. Networking with these folks is a significant step on the way to getting a job. And, often arch firms are sending these folks to schools as a recruiting/scouting mission. D2 has been sent back to her alma mater three times in the two years since she graduated to keep an eye on potential new hires. And, of course, the geographically closer the arch firm is to the school, the more likelihood they will send professionals to campus. So bear in mind that where your school is will have a significant impact on where you will likely find (at least for your first job) employment upon graduation.

I’ve got to admit that I’m not that familiar with the RPI program, but D2 looked at, visited, considered, and applied to many of your options. For various and personal reasons, she selected Penn State. She’s currently an Arch II at a firm in Washington DC. She did have three job offers before she graduated.

Good luck!

6

One last piece of advise from the never ending parental database. Look at the schools you want to attend and find their 4-5 year plan of study. By semester or quarter. I looked at SLO and UT Austin, used as I am to 4+2’s and it was OMG this is not easy. By comparison my daughter’s 4 year BA Arch was fairly relaxing, especially since she always took electives in summer to reduce her course load. Throw in internships like UC DAAP and it can get tricky.

By Junior year you’ll have a studio, a history or theory type class, and one or two technical arch classes like structures or materials or what have you, plus an elective maybe. That’s a lot of courses. If you end up in a 4+2 school you have to keep a decent GPA to go to grad school. In a 5 year BArch type school, not so much.