<p>I've been accepted to both of their architecture programs, but am not sure which is better. Does anyone here have experience with either of these programs?</p>
<p>Ohio State hands down!! Knowlton School of Architecture is very well regarded amongst the architecture community in the country for its state-of-the-art facility, reknown faculties and program reputation. G’Luck!! :)</p>
<p>[Knowlton</a> School of Architecture](<a href=“http://knowlton.osu.edu/]Knowlton”>http://knowlton.osu.edu/)</p>
<p>A friend transferred from OSU to Kent and loves Kent way more than he did OSU. At Kent the students give their lives and live in Taylor hall but it is one of the best in the state of Ohio. If you had the means, it would be between Ucinn and Kent for the best in the state. Matter of fact, the interior design program at Ucinn is the best in the nation supposedly. Kent all the way. OSU is extremely overrated and you have a better chance of learning valuable information at Kent instead of a lesser education but a degree that saids graduate of The Ohio State. I think OSU is a great school, but Kent certainly has much more to offer architecture and they have great pride of their arch students.</p>
<p>I faced the exact same decision last year, Kent vs. OSU, and I chose Kent. I totally fell in love with OSU when I visited there, I mean yeah the facilities are gorgeous and Columbus is sweet and, honestly, I had wanted to go to OSU my entire life…BUT the architecture program is definitely not as good or respected as Kent’s. And, not sure if this is much of a concern to you, but Kent is a lot cheaper for twice as good of an education.</p>
<p>I still wonder if I made the right choice with Kent, but not because I think I would’ve been better off at OSU - I regret not trying to get in anywhere outside of Ohio, haha. Kent is awesome. In general and with architecture. You will LOVE the studio environment, and especially Taylor Hall, and all the other architecture students - we’re honestly the coolest kids on campus. ;)</p>
<p>On a totally factual note, OSU’s arch program is like, a toddler, and Kent’s is an oldtimer. It’s been around a lot longer, it has incredible professors who are all experienced/cultured/practicing architects, and it’s selective. You get crazy awesome opportunities like an entire semester spent in Florence your third year, whereas OSU only gives you study abroad options that last a few weeks. Everyone I’VE personally talked to, now and when I was making my decision, told me Kent was by far the better program and option for architecture. And I believe it. It’s hard, demanding, rigorous…but you learn so much and gain a lot of great experience and develop new skills/gain new knowledge every day.</p>
<p>So that’s my opinion and experience.
If you chose Kent, lemme know, and I’ll look you up ;)</p>
<p>Assuming you are still deciding, I would have to side with OSU’s Knowlton School of Architecture. While Knowlton rarely appears on the top X Architecture schools in the nation, this is simply because of how the programs are ranked. In ranking architecture programs, the party conducting the rankings uses a checklist system. Knowlton doesn’t fit well into this system because the program is very liberal, focusing very heavily on the cutting edge of design as opposed to the outdated nuts-and-bolts methods used by other programs. Where OSU excels is in research, consistently being ranked as one of the top research schools in the US and recognized for its research throughout the world. Knowlton reflects this by offering an intensive program that helps the student to find his/her identity as an architect and shape his/her own unique style of design. Many of our students conduct research and compete in world competitions such as the Solar Decathlon where teams across the globe compete to design the most eco-friendly and cutting edge house. This year our team was featured in The American Institute of Architect’s magazine for their creation.
One of the greatest aspects of Knowlton’s program is the resources it provides you with. Knowlton and The Ohio State University as a whole put a heavy emphasis on experience and world travel. Knowlton offers dozens of study abroad programs focused on architecture. These programs include London, Rome, Istanbul, and a grand tour of Europe among others. OSU even has a campus in the city of Florence for architecture students to study abroad, and if you wish study abroad in a country where we do not have a program OSU and Knowlton will work with you to make it happen. Since OSU is well known worldwide, we attract a world-class faculty, one example of which is one of our ARCH professors who studied under LeCorbusier himself.
Kent State’s program may be older, but this certainly doesn’t make it better. At Knowlton you will receive a world-class education that has consistently produced students who go on to such prestigious graduate programs as Princeton, Harvard, Rice, and Yale.</p>
<p>Coursework emphasis on “cutting edge design” for undergraduate architectural education continues the disconnect between architectural “education” versus “professional practice”. To obtain an entry-level position at an architectural firm, the grad needs to have excellent CAD skills, presentation preparation skills, visual comprehension skills, team-player skills (including humility to be junior member who follows directions in a positive and thorough manner), and social skills. To be able to ape Hadid won’t lead to successful entry into profession.</p>