<p>can someone post some reputable rankings?</p>
<p>Nope- I don't think there are any out there. You can look at the DI rankings or that other research ranking; however I think both are incredibly flawed to such a great extent that they undermine the rankings themselves. The best way to find out what the best schools are--- is to just simply ask- and keep in mind you may get varying opinions depending on the person. Think about what region of the country you want to work in and then ask people from that region about the schools around them. The national rankings available mean less than the paper they are printed on.</p>
<p>Well I'm looking at Northeastern University's architecture program. It doesn't involve a portfolio which is great because I have nothing. I'm doing Photography next year, but that's about it.</p>
<p>Also, would it be a smart idea to apply directly to the Architecture program? Or try to transfer in?</p>
<p>Sean,
Northeastern specifically said at the info. session, that it is best to apply to a division directly, rather than to put down undecided. Other schools stress that "undecided" is fine, and that many students change their major. NEU suggested that you can change majors later but your chances of admissions at their school are higher by choosing a major from the beginning. I believe Architecture is in the college of Arts & Science, which makes changing majors in that department a little easier.</p>
<p>NErn has an interesting program - although they don't offer the BArch, you can get your MArch in 6 years with co-ops built in, which helps financially, gives you work experience and contacts AND the 12 months of internships/coops count towards the three years of work you need to get licenced. I think that's how it works out - according to my calculations that would get you licenced just a quickly as the BArch, assuming no detours.</p>
<p>If you're looking for East coast schools that don't require portfolios, check out Penn State (5 year BArch) and U Maryland or UVa (4 year BS or BA). UVa and Northeastern will accept portfolios, but don't require them. Yale and Penn are the same with portfolios (they're considered supplemental), but you have to apply to the Arch schools after your freshman year, so admission to the Arch program will depend on talent demonstrated once you're there.</p>
<p>Oh thanks for the information.</p>
<p>kjofkw: I'll most likely apply to computer science/engineering if not directly to architecture.</p>
<p>Those three (Penn State, University of Maryland and UVa) are actually all schools I'm interested in. It just may be hard to get in to those, because they are all state schools not from my state. Not so much Penn State, but Maryland and especially Virginia will be hard to get into, I think. </p>
<p>As far as my stats go, I have like 3.3 unweighted, 4.0 weighted. 28 ACT (32 Science, 31 Math, 25 English, 23 Reading, 9 Essay) Also, I'll be first generation college student in the sense that neither of my parents graduated, although they both took classes.</p>
<p>Iggles - do you think a portfolio would help siginificantly to get into a program like Penn or UVa if it was very strong, even though they dont require one? Or is it still like 99.9% your grades? I guess, would a portfolio carry any significant weight at schools that dont require them?</p>
<p>(i realize its a completely subjective question, im just wondering if anyone knows specifically what they are looking for)</p>
<p>We found that calling the Architecture departments and asking questions was the best way to get answers for each school. Every school is unique in it's requirements. At Penn State all admissions decisions are made by the University admissions department, the Arch school has no input, and decisions are based on a formula of GPA, SATs and ECs. My impression from both Penn State and Maryland was that if you send a portfolio it will be tossed - I think because of the volume that they handle - they made it very clear that they didn't want anything extra sent. </p>
<p>Sean - UVa is very competitive OOS, but Penn State does not give advantages to instate students for admissions. Don't underestimate the competition, and if you're interested in main campus, apply early (by Nov). Admissions are becoming tough there and you have to be on main campus for architecture. </p>
<p>RyanMac - don't know what goes on inside the heads of the admissions people at Penn or UVa. UVa has specific instructions in it's application for portfolio submissions - right down to providing you with a mailing label to send it separately from the application. Penn, on the other hand, doesn't want more than two 8 by 11 sheets of extraneous materials. I think that's what they consider artwork . . . I suppose those instructions in and of themselves would give us some insight to the value placed on portfolios by each school?</p>
<p>Cornell and Syracuse (both BArch) put a great value on the portfolio - both require not only it's submission, but you'll also have to do a portfolio interview - either at the school or with an alumnus.</p>