<p>Has anyone had any experience with the summer arch program for HS students at VT? I have emailed 2x and not received a response from the school. My DD is interested but we are not sure if she would be adequately prepared to attend. She is great with google sketch and hands on activities but hasn't had much experience with freehand sketches. I am just wondering how the days are spent and how importance it is to have experience in freehand drawing/sketching. Thanks for any advice.</p>
<p>Just for your own info, this summer’s program at VT is filled, (we took one of the last spots) but you might be able to be on a wait list. I too was unable to get much info, only from the secretary, not the person running it. The program is supposed to be design oriented so is geared towards not just Arch but industrial design, landscape design and interior design. Their website has some info and FAQs but no week sample schedule.
[VT</a> · school of architecture + design · a+d · inside architecture + design](<a href=“http://www.archdesign.vt.edu/students/inside-architecture]VT”>http://www.archdesign.vt.edu/students/inside-architecture)</p>
<p>In general all these summer programs fill up fast. I missed getting my son into Penn state’s which filled in 3 days so managed to get one of the last spots at VT. We were looking for a short summer program for my son to do as most are 2,4 or 6 wks. NJIT also has a summer 5 day program with 2 different 5 day blocks if you are interested you might look into that one.</p>
<p>All of the high school programs are geared toward absolute beginners…no prior drawing experience or architecture experience is required. They are intended to give you a “taste” of what it’s like to study architecture, and what it would be like to attend their school. They want to encourage, not discourage.</p>
<p>My daughter did the summer program at Univ. of Pennsylvania a few years ago, and they did a very good job of “mimicking” the first month or so of freshman year in an actual architecture program.</p>
<p>And most universities that have an architecture or design program also have a summer program, so you can keep trying other schools for one that’s not yet filled. However, many are 3-6 weeks, and many are pricey.</p>
<p>If you are looking for a program that is not too long or expensive, try Penn State’s.</p>
<p>It is only a week long, but I felt that they really tried to inform students and give them a taste of what architecture school is like. We were taught by professors and completed a project that was assigned to first-year students. Additionally, we traveled to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water and a construction site. Obviously, we got stay in PSU dorms, eat their food, etc. </p>
<p>Personally, I had a great time with the program and felt it was definitely a worthwhile experience. Plus, their architecture facility is absolutely stunning!</p>
<p>Arch guy, Penn state’s summer program is full and filled in 3 days so would be an option for snowspud’s daughter only for next summer. This is a link for 2009 summer programs.</p>
<p><a href=“http://archcareers.org/SummerArchitecturePrograms2009.pdf[/url]”>http://archcareers.org/SummerArchitecturePrograms2009.pdf</a></p>
<p>She has a spot in the VT program I just wanted to make sure it would be an opportunity that she would enjoy. We went ahead and registered hoping that eventually one of the professors would respond to my email. Thanks for the additional info. I hope this program will give her a better idea of whether arch is for her. Thanks again!!</p>
<p>Well she and my son will likely meet then. I too am hoping it is a nice program.</p>
<p>Lake mom, that’s great! She knows no one going to this workshop ansd is excited about meeting new people. DH is hoping she will like VT as it is an instate school for us!! It has never been on her radar because so many from our HS go there and she is looking for a new experience. We’ll just hope for a good week all around.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in architecture, the summer programs are a good intro to life as an architecture student. They all teach basic design, drafting, and model-making. There’s a design studio, which gives students experience with the core course in architecture school. There’s often a reading course, a drawing course, a history course, or some other aspect of architecture school. Usually, there are field trips to see local architecture through the eyes of the instructors (who ought to be professors, not graduate students).</p>
<p>Importantly, there’s also usually an overview of the education of an architect, the application process, and a chance to look at portfolios. Students generate work in the classes that they can put in a portfolio, and they often make good contacts with design professors who can write them recommendations to programs.</p>
<p>snowspud, I think they will have a great short exposure to get a sense of whether this field really interests them. We also looked at USCs summer program which is 2 wks as my son wants to go to school out west. He is currently a soph so he could still do it next year. You are lucky to be so close and instate if your daughter eventually goes to school there. We are an 8 hr car ride so I am working on details of getting my son there traveling alone and then we would come to get him when it is over.</p>
<p>snowspud, I have a son in the College of Arch and Urban Studies (2nd yr). We are in state and he also wondered if going to VT would not be as interesting with so many kids from our area matriculating there. He has said to us several times that he never hardly ever sees kids he knew from high school, so it has been a non issue for him. </p>
<p>So many of the arch/design kids hang together for their five years. They develop close bonds with that group and, from his experience, really branch out away from those hs buddies. Just thought I would share what we have experienced. Good luck with her summer program!</p>
<p>Thanks KandK. That’s what we have been thinking as well.</p>