<p>Hello, recently i've been accepted into the penn state architecture program. The main reason i applied here was due to the fact that a friend of my dad (an architect) went there. Recently my family has lost contact with him and i haven't been able to ask him about the program. I was just wondering what the program was like; is it worth it ? </p>
<p>thank you in advance for the responses,</p>
<p>-- Soontob</p>
<p>The architecture program is very competitive to get admitted but you managed to get in so congrats for that…Where else were you accepted for architecture ? Are you trying to decide between some other college and Penn State ? All I can say is its highly ranked and prestigious program at PSU…Unless you were accepted to more highly ranked college or the other college is cheaper option, I would not decline the admission offer…</p>
<p>thank-you ! i have not yet received any other decisions from my other colleges. But i’ve applied to northeastern, RPI, Syracuse and Lehigh university. I didn’t do great on my mid year report so i hope i get into a one or two of those because i’m really interested in them.</p>
<p>again, thanks for the response, XtremePower.</p>
<p>If anyone knows about how the program works, that would be great ! is it more computer based or does it focus on free hand drawing ? (stuff like that)</p>
<p>First off, congratulations on your acceptance into the PSU BArch program, it is very competitive. Now for the nitty-gritty, nuts and bolts stuff. D2 is a 3rd year BArch student at PSU. It’s been an exhilarating, stimulating, exhausting, demoralizing, infuriating, competitive, collaborative, exciting, stultifying, exasperating, infuriating, roller coaster of a ride. By the way, that was merely the first week-end of the semester – during which D2 spent 43 hours in studio! (yes, no joke or exaggeration!)</p>
<p>Even now, as a third year BArch major, three weeks ago she was planning her grand tour of Europe (a semester in Rome is mandatory during the 4th year) and last week, she was worried about making it through the semester. In all reality, D2’s drawing AND computer skills have expanded exponentially during these three years, but it’s come at quite an emotional cost. I have no count on the number of morning classes she missed during her freshman year due to her need to spend time in studio, but they were numerous. By the way, did I mention that she was (and remains) a Schreyer honors scholar? She informed me that she basically told her professors that she was an architecture major and EVERYONE of them recognized her need for studio time. She and two or three other SHC students were in the same situation and all of them commented on how their non-architecture professors acknowledged the extreme demands on time that architecture required. In other words, it’s well understood throughout PSU that BArch students need to devote a SIGNIFICANT amount of time to their major.</p>
<p>I think that PSU should spend more emphasis on computer-based drawing skills, although NOTHING will replace the ability to quickly sketch out one’s design concepts on a piece of paper right in front of your customers! D2 has mentioned that a lot of her computer skills have been self-taught (or at least, self-practiced) whereas PSU has a world-renowned illustrator on faculty (James Wine). I do think that PSU is recognizing the importance of providing adequate and appropriate education on computer-based design and that part of the curriculum is increasing. I should mention that D2’s skills in hand-sketching have increased exponentially since she’s been in school.</p>
<p>In other words, PSU’s BArch program is tough and time-consuming and not for the weak-of-heart. I believe that D2’s class experienced a 40% attrition rate just during their first year. By the way, that class consisted of some 35 to 40 out-of-state students. I should also mention that D2 was accepted into four other architecture programs (including Virginia Tech) and chose PSU’s. Seems to me that the value of the program is rather evident. </p>
<p>Check out the Architecture forum in College Confidential for more information on this topic.</p>
<p>PM me if you have any specific questions on PSU.</p>
<p>thats an interesting decision…turning down more highly ranked Vtech for Penn State…Was it because Penn State was cheaper ?</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the response quiet type . Just one question, is your daughter only doing architecture or is he also minoring in something ?</p>
<p>Take a close look - I don’t believe Lehigh’s program is a true professional architecture degree program, just an architectural studies bachelors. </p>
<p>My understanding is that Penn State has great Architecture, Architectural Engineering and Landscape Architecture programs. The program also has a relatively new building.</p>
<p>The Great Recession has very very tough on the architecture profession. Hopefully things will be better by the time you graduate.</p>
<p>I’d do a search of this website for other comments on the programs.</p>
<p>You’re right about Lehigh; they offer a B.A., not a B. Arch.</p>
<p>I suggest asking your opinion of these programs over at the part of this website under Majors-Architecture.</p>
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I think she’s nuts, but she’s actually double majoring in architecture and anthropology. She mumbles something about studying buildings as well as the people that use them.</p>
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<p>That was certainly one reason. Other reasons were her admission to the Schreyer Honors College as well as the required semester in Rome. (She knew there was no way that Mom and Dad could say “No, you can’t go to Europe for four months!” :)) By the way, it’s her scholar status that enables her to schedule her classes for her dual majors. SHC students get to register before all other students, except for seniors.</p>
<p>Three years into this, she still says she made the right decision (for her, anyway). YMMV</p>
<p>First of all, thanks for all of these responses, they have been incredibly helpful !!</p>
<p>@charlieschm – will do ! thanks for the advice. I’m just waiting on my decisions to do so.</p>
<p>@1moremom – Yes, i know ! i just applied because i know how competitive the 5 year professional programs are and I am committed to pursuing architecture as a career. Also, i know NE is also 4 year but it’s master’s only takes one year . </p>
<p>Thanks again guys !!
ll ask for your advice, if you’d let me, when i get my other decision letters.</p>
<p>Does anyone have more information on the penn states architecture program? </p>
<p>thanks,
– Soontob</p>