Hi,
I’ve recently applied to 12 universities. Specifically, for the schools of architecture within these universities. The schools I’ve applied to range in prestige, ranging from schools like Florida International University, SUNY Alfred State, and Kent State, to schools like Cornell U, Carnegie Mellon, and the Cooper Union (a really good and selective art/architecture/engineering school in NYC). But here’s the catch: Many of these higher end schools I’ve applied to, both public and private, are obviously extremely expensive.
In Kent State, however, I have a real consideration to make: they have a good quality architecture program, which I’ve already gotten into, and they also have a dual degree masters program I’m interested in after undergrad (MBA & M. Architecture). They also have interesting things that I’d like to minor in, like Spanish, for instance, and they accept 3’s on AP scores. So, theoretically, after this year (I’m a senior in HS), I could enter Kent State with like 15+ credits. But the biggest benefit is: I’d be able to attend KSU tuition free due to staff benefits from a parent.
Of course, the other schools I’ve applied to have some similar academic perks and benefits. I also feel confident that I’ll get into at least some of the higher end schools I’ve applied to. My biggest concerns with Kent, though, are that I’d be overqualified in a perhaps less focused student environment, and that I’d receive my degrees from Kent, which, obviously, doesn’t have as high of a reputation as Cornell or Carnegie Mellon, for instance.
So, in the profession of Architecture, do you think it matters where one gets their degrees? Do degrees from higher-ranked schools automatically equal more success in the long run? Also, as Kent State is in Northern Ohio, would I only be able to find work in that same area, or could I theoretically go anywhere with my degrees?
Is it worth having no tuition fees + the AP credits, but going to a lesser quality school, or is it worth investing in a higher quality school, but having to take out larger loans?