<p>I have decided to take the initiative and look into colleges earlier than most students at my high school. As I want to major in Architecture, I have found the three schools in Georgia that offer it. I have since then been creating a binder to compare these three colleges and spot the differences between them that I notice more. These three colleges include: SCAD, Southern Poly, and Georgia Tech. As I've been researching and comparing, I have come up with conclusions regarding these colleges, but I have made some pretty drastic assumptions of these colleges which I deem are true as far as I can tell. Yet, I still have a lot of questions, especially regarding SCAD.</p>
<p>These next two paragraphs are regarding GA Tech and SPSU, so they aren't very important.</p>
<p>I have seen more than anything that Georgia Tech receives constant praise for there Architecture programs, yet while I look into it more, I noticed almost 1/3 of the credit hours for a Bachelor's Degree (Which I learned that, like SCAD, is not accredited by the NAAB) are elective classes. While some of these are called Architecture Electives, I am still considering these "electives" and my mother and I have decided that, even though GA Tech is seen as a great school, it might not be for me (especially regarding there requirements).</p>
<p>The first college I looked into was SPSU, because the price was appealing toward my family. However, looking more into reviews by students the classic saying "You get what you pay for." is really applied to this school. I've seen a lot regarding there professors and students. They have also been ranked poorly elsewhere, such as social life, but those are of less importance to me. In the end of these two colleges, I am not revoking them from my mind as colleges for my future architectural studies, however they do have a few cons (As all colleges do, I suppose) that I can not look past. However I am visiting all three of these colleges to see how I feel on the campus.</p>
<p>Now, onto the real reason I am posting this! I have always been in love with the beautiful city of Savannah, because it is very different and it was love at first site! Almost every review I see of SCAD that is negative, has one common element: crime. As I've grown up extremely close to Atlanta, crime isn't much of a shock to me and I have basically come to the expectation that most students attending SCAD may not be used to it as I am. Growing up with street smarts, especially visiting Savannah on the holidays, I know when it is best to stay in my dorm and where to be, so anything really regarding crime is not of the upmost importance to myself.</p>
<p>Regarding there Architecture Program, I have a few concerns. I am aware that I must get a MA Degree from SCAD (As well as most schools, from what I have read) to get accredited by the NAAB and be officially certified and ready for my field. However, I have not seen many reviews regarding the professors of the Architecture program at SCAD, but I would really appreciate any information regarding them! I am also concerned about how it works there, I have seen recent reviews mentioning they use Revit (We use this system at my high school, as well). However, I'm more worried about other things, such as sketching and possible other programs they may use. One of my other questions regards what they focus on, as I know some schools tend to look more at the technical side of architecture and others look more into the design aspects. Regardless, I would prefer an even amount of both, as I enjoy the designing part of buildings and the structural part. Also, do they do group projects at SCAD? Thanks!</p>
<p>In the end I believe every school has their pros and their cons. SPSU is more affordable, but it is possible that the education quality may be far less than GA Tech or SCAD. I would also attend there for 5 years for a Bachelor's, compared to a 6 year college for the MA degree from the other schools. While GA Tech is seen as a prestigious architecture school, it simply doesn't appeal to me (You're paying for 21 hours of free electives, 10 hours of cluster electives, and 12 hours of architecture electives)! However I am visiting the school to see how I feel there, as I may fall in love (however my odds of getting in are very slim). Lastly, I love everything about SCAD, except the bill. My family isn't the wealthiest and it'd take many scholarships to get into it, but it may be worth it for a worthwhile education.</p>
<p>I suspect many reviews for each of these colleges to be more negative, as for obvious reasons. If I may add, things I see complained about a lot are things I have expected and mostly overlook, such as students being "snobby" or "stuck-up" seeing that most art students are like that (including myself).</p>
<p>I am trying my hardest to be unbiased, as area isn't everything and I haven't visited these schools as much as I'd like. I am also only a Junior in high school, so I have no exact comparison to any of these schools except for comparing them on paper. That's why I'd love a response from current or recent students from SCAD (or even GA Tech or SPSU), but all responses are great!</p>
<p>Last Question:</p>
<p>For their artistic scholarship (I believe it is now called "Achievement Scholarship" I have seen that you need to send in your portfolio and your resume. Would they accept a portfolio with architectural plans in it? I have made a few houses and it would be more than fabulous to get a scholarship for it! Thanks for reading!</p>
<p>SUMMARY:
-Does SCAD have a good architecture program?
-What are the major pros/cons actually regarding my education there?
-Would portfolios with architecture related materials be accepted?
-In regards to SPSU and Ga Tech, why would SCAD be better/worse than those select colleges?</p>