ID, architecture and schools

College Majors Architecture Major
1

<p>We are starting in earnest to look at schools to visit and consider as S is a junior in hs. After talking about a number of different areas that he would like to go into some day, he has zeroed in on either ID or architecture. At 16 I know this could change, but he seems to be really focused on pursuing a field that involves design, art and creativity, so I think his current choice possibilities are in line with what his strengths and interests are. With all that being said, he is talking about several options and I wanted to get some of you veterans- either in the fields or with kids there-to weigh in. </p>

<p>First off, for a kid who does not necessarily want to go into an architecture firm for building design (he likes the "other career choices" that are spoken of for arch degrees more than the thought of actually designing buildings) would a pre-professional degree in architecture and then a master's in ID be a good route to take? (ID is really appealing to him right now)</p>

<p>Would he have a broader background/be more employable with the aforementioned path vs. obtaining an undergrad degree in ID only?</p>

<p>Schools: here we go. Finances are calling for state schools or OOS that offer in state tuition for kids with the criteria required. Va. Tech is in state for us and offers so much- B. Arch, ID, Landscape Arch. But, we haven't heard or know much about the ID program Around here, the Arch program is very well-known. Do any of you know about the ID program there? </p>

<p>UVA. No ID, but a BS in Arch. Again not much info known. S actually wrote two of the profs of Arch at UVA about the program ( last month) and didn't get a response from either, which disappointed him some. Any info about that school? </p>

<p>Clemson: BA in Arch, anyone with any information on them?</p>

<p>Auburn: sound ID program from what I have read, but really far from home</p>

<p>NC State: ID Program, no arch. Don't know anything about the school or ID program's reputation</p>

<p>Anyway, any insight you all could give would be greatly appreciated. Have a great weekend everyone.</p>

2

<p>I'm not sure what you'll find, but check out Virginia Commonwealth. I know they're well regarded in other design disciplines, so I'd suspect they're fine in those areas as well.</p>

3

<p>Oh, and I'd strongly advise finding a school with both, because frankly, a TON of people start out as architecture majors, and a lot of them drop out. So if he's already going into school with another strong interest (ID), then I think it's important to find him a school that supports that interest as well, because otherwise he might decide to drop architecture, and not have an ID program within the school to go to.</p>

<p>UVA has a reputation for very traditional design, and their Historic Preservation program is one of the strongest in the nation. I have been told several times by UVA students and grads that the reputation for traditional design is undeserved, but the fact is that that's the reputation that a UVA architecture degree carries with it.</p>

4

<p>larationalist, thanks for the replies. VCU does have a strong art/design program, but he really does not like the school atmosphere as a whole. Right now he has no interest in even looking/applying there, in fact he said he would rather take a gap year before doing so. Out of the schools he has on his very early list, VT looks like one that does offer both areas. It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out. Thanks!</p>

5

<p>KandKsmom - Just curious, what is it that your son does not like about VCU's atmosphere? My daughter is thinking about visiting in the next couple of weeks. One of her friends went to an open house and loved it.</p>

6

<p>This might not be relevant in your case and I may be a little off target but it is my opinion that an architectural education should/will give the greatest conceptual/theoretical foundation. I have found that some design fields deal with practical matters of design without dealing with concepts. Sometimes the idea/concept of something is more important than actually creating it. I realize I may not be making myself clear but it might be something to think about.</p>

7

<p>mom of alex, Regarding VCU, his negative impression of the school is based on a number of issues. (some of which the school, particularly its president, are trying to rectify) One is the area of Richmond where VCU is located. It is surrounded by some pretty tough areas and its green spaces- namely Monroe Park which is right is the heart of the university- are frequented by some shady looking characters. The school is kind of having a battle right now with the homeless population in trying to "gently move them" to another area. Secondly, the academic reputation of the school overall is not well regarded around the VCU area. The school of art and the pre-med program (MCV Hospital is a wonderful teaching hospital) are well respected, but in most of the Richmond area high schools the kids feel it is a school that accepts even the marginal student, even those who the kids consider to be "slackers" academically. I don't mean to sound like a snob regarding VCU; I know some bright kids who go there, especially those in the pre-med program, and many families who cannot afford costlier schools have their kids commute. It is just that for many local kids there is a feeling/reputation (whether it is factual or not I don't know) that they would not be challenged academically in the majority of the departments at VCU as at other schools. It is viewed as a "safety" type of school. </p>

<p>The School of Art is really one of VCU's best departments and one that they are very proud of. Everyone has their own impressions of the school itself and I hope your daughter enjoys her visit and and finds the school to her liking. Let us know what she thinks.</p>

8

<p>KandKsmom - Thanks for your honest feedback. I have heard some of the negative things you mentioned about the area but you hear that about many city schools. Maybe it's a little worse at VCU than the other city schools, I guess we'll find out for ourselves after a visit in a few weeks. I will let you know what she thinks. I have heard good things about the School of Art but if the overall atmosphere is not good she will most likely rule it out.</p>

9

<p>If he has little interest in building design, he will be bored and unhappy with the design classes in architecture. Architecture students are architecture obsessed--espeically in the first years. To find a good fit, be sure to check out the full curriculum.</p>

<p>I think an exciting curriculum for a student interested in Design would be similar to the one @ Western Michigan. Hit the Curriculum Flow chart to see the course layout. The first year students get right into it. They are probably designing and manufacturing their own product by senior year. Michigan has a good ID rep courtesy of their proximity to Detroit.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wmich.edu/indd/Academic/AcademicHome.htm#Program%20Description%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.wmich.edu/indd/Academic/AcademicHome.htm#Program%20Description&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

10

<p>I actually started out in a B.arch program, and then later switched majors, and I'm now considering going to grad school for interior design at some point. I will admit that I have not done a lot of searching, but the searching that I did do came up with a very short list of schools that even offer a master's in interior design, and most of them tended to be art schools, which would not work well for me since I hardly have the money to pay full tuition and art schools tend to be stingy on financial aid, I think. It is just something to keep in mind. You probably want to stay away from the B.arch programs if he does not want to actually design buildings and whatnot...seems like an unnecessary amount of work to go through for someone who does not intend to go on to become a registered architect.</p>

11

<p>Since I started this thread and began to read some of your replies, I have been talking more at length with him about what he is thinking at this point about schools, future career ideas, etc. (by at length I mean about 15 minutes worth of conversation :)- whoo hoo eye to eye and everything! ) </p>

<p>After thinking at first that it might not be creative enough for him, he tells me that he does like building/floor plan house design after all. He has been doing it in a class he is taking called Architectural Drawing and said that this class has been "cool" and his house design is "awesome". SO, I guess that opens things back up a bit on the searching. I hope when we visit some of the campuses and he can talk to kids and profs that he will be able to get more of an idea. He did find a couple of great Industrial Design people to talk to as well. He hopes to maybe spend a day with one of them at work to see what they do on a daily basis. </p>

<p>larationalist, I think your advice is good about finding a school with many options, but then it does narrow things down quite a bit. What I am finding is what I have read on this site before: there is no "perfect" school. If one has his ideal offerings it may be too expensive or too far. The one that is a good fit as far as affordability, size, is within a day's drive, etc. doesn't have the best program, etc. And now we have another variable. He thinks he wants to continue swimming if he can. This is going to be fun to see how he makes a choice on things! Thanks again everyone!</p>

12

<p>i think a big difference between art and architecture is that creativity in architecture is applied in many ways, not just in the creation of the building. because architecture is so broad and covers a ton of different fields, creativity is applied in the economic, political, etc aspects of the field. architecture school is difficult because you have to be constantly creative-creative in that you have to be constantly producing strong ideas.</p>

13

<p>Be forewarned: coaches and architecture schools do not mix. I know a current sophomore who had to swtich schools to continue architecture. The basketball coach at the first school would not let himplay on the team if he continued with architecture.</p>

<p>FWIW, I think there is not much difference between architecture and ID--but the difference between pure art and architecture is massive. Fine Art is far more daring, far more psychologically challenging. An artist faces a blank canvass and the challenge of an almost alien originality-- day in and day out. Pure Artists must have the temerity to go to the edge of the mental abyss on a weekly basis. </p>

<p>Architecture (or any of the practical arts like ID or graphics) is more like art...with plumbing. There are so many real life factors to consider, an architect is rarely in danger of drifting too close to the abyss.</p>

14

<p>Cheers, your first statement is the very reason why I told him that he should want to contact any coach and/or some of the prospective dept profs to see how majoring in an intense major like architecture or participating in a varsity sport is received. He needs to find out about that before he even applies I think. (He did contact a couple of schools' profs about this matter at the end of the summer-two of which he no longer is interested in- and they both seemed to think that with a strong work ethic and excellent time management
skills it could work) But about the coaches, he hasn't gotten that far yet. </p>

<p>I was encouraged to see your thoughts about the close relationship to ID and architecture. I think he is thinking about both equally right now. He is, and this is a mom's very biased opinion :) ,extremely creative and has an imagination as big as this planet. He loves the fine arts, especially painting and sculpting, but wants to/needs to go into a field with more security than fine arts so that his paycheck doesn't look like that blank canvass that you referred to! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.</p>

15

<p>VATech has a great program so does PennState University Park. They do not require a portfolio for admissions. My daughter just got accepted into PennState B.Arch program in Architecture. You need high grades and test scores to get in since they are limited enrollment programs. UVA's program is not as strong.</p>

16

<p>In the job market, UVA has an excellent reputation.</p>