Scheduling Architecture Advice

College Majors Architecture Major
1

Hi all,

This might seem a bit premature but I was just thinking over my tentative freshman year schedule for the Fall 2018 semester and spring 2019 semester. Next fall, I will be attending a university to major in an undergrad four-year architecture program. This university fortunately accepts 3’s, 4’s, and 5’s on AP tests – which I will be taking five of in May of this year. Assuming I get at least a 3 on all five AP tests, I will enter into my freshman year of college with 23 credits already under my belt.

At this specific university, the only architecture related class I’ll be taking during freshman year is the year long course called Design Studio 1: a design class that all first year students must take for the architecture major. Additionally to that, I need to take Calculus during my first year (also full year long), and a quick, one semester ‘freshman orientation’ sort of course. So, I really only need to take 2 classes per semester, plus the freshman orientation thing. (I would’ve also had to take five Gen. Ed. classes, but my AP credits would take place of those).

So here’s where the conflict arises: personally, I’d like to use the free time in my freshman year schedule to move UP some of my 2nd and 3rd year classes (Physics, Architecture History, etc) so that I can get them under my belt during year 1 and, in turn, have a more lax schedule later on in college. This more lax schedule during my 3rd and 4th years would, I believe, give me time to take courses that interest me or that might give me more architectural knowledge. I could also use this time for internships or applying to grad schools. So that’s the route that I’d like to take in terms of handling the freed-up space from my AP tests.

However, my parents have a different approach: They urge me to try to get the few first year classes I have to do (again, Design Studio 1, Calculus, and Freshman Orientation) done THIS summer. Theoretically, these few classes can be done either online or during the summer on campus. In their opinion, they think that this would lead to me essentially coming to college in the fall of 2018 as a second year student, entering second year classes, and taking the second year studio courses. In turn, they think I’d be able to graduate in just 3 years if I went this route, albeit I wouldn’t have as much free time with this schedule, and I certainly wouldn’t have time to take supplemental courses that interest me.

So, my question is this: In this modern day, should we college students with AP credits try to optimize our time in college as best as possible by taking more meaningful courses that can fill up some free slots in our schedule? OR, should we just ‘get in and get out’ of college to save time and money by graduating early, even if it means giving up the opportunity to learn from more courses?

Thank you a ton for any input!

2

@pghbklyn, I think you need to slow down. Architecture is a marathon, not a sprint. Start with your class in September and go through the established class sequence. This is especially true of the first year studio, which is the nexus of an architecture major. I don’t know your background or the school that you’re attending, but generally, studios are intensively demanding. You might be surprised by the amount of time and energy you’ll need to devote in making the transition from high school to architecture school.

If your AP credits free up some class time, take something else you’re interested in or go deeper. College courses are (or should be) on a more advanced level than high school. You’re there to learn as much as you can, not just to speed through.

You can still put your summer to good use. Get a job, earn some spending money (or start accumulating an MArch fund). Maybe find an internship at a local architecture firm. Some hands on experience would be helpful in understanding what a career in architecture is all about. Spend some time looking at architecture in your region. Start building a foundation of visual design vocabulary.

3

First of all, it is unlikely that Design Studio 1 is offered in the summer. Unless it’s a strange quarter system school or something, it’s always fall/spring Studio 1, 2. You might do Calculus and Orientation tho.

Now for the bad news. Unless you’re Zaha Hadid and Mies van der Rohe all rolled into one, 3 years ain’t possible simply because of scheduling. If you have 8 studios, that’s 4 years. You may have one course in your last semester, but that’s it. You aren’t getting out in 3. You might pull some tricks and take graduate studio or courses along undergraduate, so in the event you stay in the same school for your M.Arch you can finish both in 5 years and a few summers in between. But, in the grand scheme of things, you’re still paying tuition, so the savings is minimal.

4

Also my daughter repeatedly told me she should be only taking one class (studio) per semester. She says it’s so demanding it’s insane. You will spend most of your life in studio. The drop out rate, which usually happens the first year, is very high so I’d suggest taking the least amount of credits the first semester if you can. This will help you transition easier. My D was sick quite a bit her first year due to lack of sleep. Once she figured out her routine then it got better.

However you should definitely have a plan so you can graduate early or on time.

At my D College there is a BDES Arch degree with 6 studio courses and you can graduate early that way but they usually have a double major or are interested in something else. My D will have a BS in Arch with 8 studios under her belt and her Senior year was light due to her AP credits and she’s happy enjoying her last year at WashU. She’s devoting her time to grad school and/or finding jobs.

Her college only took two out of her 5-6 AP credits because of the course requirements. They wouldn’t take all of them even though she scored high. In the scheme of things, it really didn’t matter, she still had to take 8 studio courses.

Hope this helps!

5

Some schools do offer an intensive studio in the summer, but my understanding is that it is usually for students who are changing majors and/or transferring, so they won’t lose a full year. You would need to talk to someone at the department to figure out if you even would be allowed to take studio early. I do not think it is wise or even doable to take an intensive studio course AND calculus over the summer. Even if you just did studio over the summer, you would then jump into your 2nd year of architecture not having had the experience of balancing a studio course with other subjects/responsibilities while your peers have had a year to adjust to the rigors of being an architecture student. Saving money is certainly a valid concern and if it were just about any other major, your parents’ plan would probably work. But like the others who already commented, I don’t think it works or is helpful in your situation. I don’t think I’d even recommend taking Calc 1 over the summer, because it moves at a much faster pace than in a normal semester and you have plenty of room in your schedule to take it in the fall.

6

everyone is talking 4+2 be the more reasonable approach to getting a professional degree in Architecture, besides the vigor, I believe there is also the creative side which takes time to develop. Yes, you can academically finish early and get good academic grades but the studio is not something cramming in books will solve.