<p>Hi,
(This is my first post!)
I've been enthusiastic about architecture for the past few years, and am fairly confident it is the career I'd like to pursue. I relish at the thought of looking up at a building (in my mind a sky scraper-sub topic thread: what is the possibility of building skyscrapers?) and being able to say that I built/designed it. As it is my Junior year in high school, I've decided to begin looking at colleges.
I'd like to keep my options open, so I'm putting very few restrictions on my search. Location, whether by region or urban/rural, is of no concern to me (except in Alaska and Hawaii!). Right now I don't want to put a price limit on my search either. So my question is: which are the best schools for architecture (other than by DI's rankings-but does anyone have the list?)?
Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>well- first off before people start shouting about how there program is the best-
what type of program are you looking for?- by that I mean there are programs that will give you a Barch (which is 5 years), and others that are just a major and you have to then apply to March1 programs which takes 2-3 years. Do some research- look at previous threads on this site/ understand the difference, then ask the question again with an understanding of which program type you are leaning toward.</p>
<p>Tsar is correct - you'll need to look into the options of BArch vs. BA/BS+MArch, as well as other issues. You are fortunate that you live in an area where you can do some serious groundwork before you ever leave home. Penn (BS), Temple (BS and BArch), Drexel (co-op program) and Phladelphia University all offer different types of degrees and programs and are at your doorstep. Not that you need to apply there, but visiting nearby schools is an inexpensive way to check out types of campuses and programs. Other things you need to consider are the size of campus, whether you want the full college experience vs. an institute, urban/rural, etc. Temple offers a summer program and a weekend program in architecture at their Tyler campus which might be helpful to you in making some of these decisions. </p>
<p>The NAAB has a list of accredited architecture programs here: <a href="http://www.naab.org/cal_cat1724/cal_cat.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.naab.org/cal_cat1724/cal_cat.htm</a></p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I'm not sure why, but the site won't let me log on as Grantk928, so I had my twin brother mike create an account. Until my password gets recovered for Grantk928, I'll use Mikek928 to continue the discussion...
Tzar: I had previously done some research as to the type of program, and felt that a 4+2 option would be best. Even though I'm confident in my career path, I would still like to experience the liberal arts and other normalcies of a 4 year university. A 5 year BArch sounded (correct me if I'm wrong) extremely intense, and completely focused on licensure ASAP. This also would give me the opportunity to change majors if I have a sudden change of heart and decide architecture's not for me. Plus, (again correct me if I'm wrong) wouldn't the 4+2 get me a Masters, which is more valued/higher than a Bachelors (this is just my limited, possibly incorrect understanding of degree's, if I offend anyone with a Bachelor's I'm sorry)?
Igglesfan: (can't believe our Eagles didn't pull it out) I don't want to limit my search based on size of school, urban/rural, etc. I think I would like to have the college experience though (I'm not sure what an institute exactly is, but I do know I want to experience college as though I'm taking any other major). Thanks for the suggestions, I do plan on visiting these colleges soon.
I guess I had the right idea, because I assembled the list of (I think there were 116?) accredited colleges into an excel spreadsheet. I eliminated colleges that I obviously wasn't going to, such as historically black, hispanic, christian, etc colleges. I still have a huge number of colleges on that list though, near 100. Something that is important to me though is sports. I'm just a very competitive, sports-oriented person and need that in a college. I did some research and listed in the excel sheet which schools had sports teams and which didn't, however I don't want to rule out colleges such as Cooper just because they don't have sports. This is why I'd like to know the rankings/general consensus of good/poor programs; so that I can eliminate the poor-programed schools who don't have sports.</p>
<p>Ok so there are many questions in this that I will try to summarize:
Is a 4+2 more like normal college?
Is a 5 year BArch very intense and unforgiving?
Is a Masters higher/more education/valued in the workplace over a Bachelors?
What is the difference between a college and an institute?
If a college doesn't have sports teams, would I be miserable?
Other than purchasing the $40 DesignIntelligence book, which by the time I truly need it come application time will be a year out-dated, could someone please list the 2007 rankings for Architecture? (This is not so much to make a decision on which college is best, but so that I can eliminate from my list clear mismatches in terms of poor academic/athletic schools.)
Thanks for any replies, and sorry for the loooooong post,
Grantk928 (for now mikek928!)</p>
<p>Ok I'm back, thanks Admin....
so again thanks for anyone who can answer the above questions listed by me via mikek928</p>
<p>I don't want to sound impatient, but how do things work on this site? Should I post the question again to get new responses? Sorry, I guess I'm just excited about finding a college!</p>
<p>Do you want to play on a team or are you a spectator? I ask this because if you plan on playing on a team don't even consider the BArch. We were told by admissions deans that the BArch schedule is not compatable with practices and games, and indeed Igglesgirl is in her arch classes and studio from 12:30 to 4:30 every afternoon (in addition to "outside of major" morning classes). Most unfortunate that her fall break came over the Eagle's bye weekend. Nonetheless, she is happy with her choice.</p>
<p>Also looking for the true sports fan / school loyalty atmosphere, she liked Cornell, Penn State and Syracuse (BArch), University of Virginia and University of Maryland (BA or BS). She had geographic limits and a large school as part of her criteria, though, so I can't speak to the quality of any programs outside of 6 hours from home or smaller schools.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Actually, a friend of mine is playing D-I basketball while working towards a BArch. He goes to Tulane which I would definitely recommend since it's one of the best programs.</p>
<p>Of course, I'm sorry. No unfortunately I'm not THAT good at sports, so I'd be a spectator. I meant a college with Division 1 sports teams that I could watch. This subject of sports though is not what I meant this thread to be about.
I intended this thread to answer these questions: </p>
<p>" -Is a 4+2 more like normal college?
-Is a 5 year BArch very intense and unforgiving?
-Is a Masters higher/more education/valued in the workplace over a Bachelors?
-What is the difference between a college and an institute?"</p>
<p>I originally also requested the DesignIntelligence rankings, but I convinced my High School to purchase the book!
So if I could recieve answers to the questions I posted that would be awesome! I do have a few more though, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Is it possible for me to rise all the way up to building Skyscrapers in major cities? (This is my true dream, and only reason for my interest in architecture...building homes and small, dull office buildings simply doesn't do it for me.)</li>
<li>Would getting a MBA significantly increase my salary/position in a firm?</li>
</ul>
<p>Thanks if anyone can help!</p>
<p>Check out Virginia Tech, too. Top B. Arch program and it is a public school with great school spirit (Football team is ranked in top 10 right now- Go HOKIES!) and a very close knit community. S just applied there and is hoping like crazy to get in. Good luck!</p>