<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I've applied this year to study a Master of Architecture degree at several universities and I am busy waiting to find out whether I get accepted or not.
Problem is I'm at a bit of a cross-roads and can't help but think I should have applied for Interior Design instead.
If hypothetically I get into the school I want but I decide that I want to change degrees to a Masters in Interior Design, would it be possible post-acceptance, or would I have to let this year go by and re-apply for next year?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>can anyone say bump?</p>
<p>If the programs are within the same department and IF the Interior Design program still has a spot open it <em>may</em> be possible.</p>
<p>The only way to know would be to call the program in question and ask.</p>
<p>One thing to think about is this: which program will give you more flexible/better professional opportunities once you graduate?</p>
<p>Unfortunately they're within different departments.
If I get in, I could always try the Architecture program for 6 months and if I dont like it, change, but would this reflect badly on me? Would the interior design department see me as a student who can't make up his mind and as a result, be less likely to award admission and any possible funding?</p>
<p>As far as professional opportunities go, I realise the importance of this, but I'd much rather be in a profession I love than one that offers more opportunity.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>"If I get in, I could always try the Architecture program for 6 months and if I dont like it, change, but would this reflect badly on me? Would the interior design department see me as a student who can't make up his mind and as a result, be less likely to award admission and any possible funding?"</p>
<p>Very possibly. Graduate study isn't a place for undecided students. Maybe you should work until you figure out what you want to do, at which point you'll know what you need to study.</p>
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Very possibly. Graduate study isn't a place for undecided students. Maybe you should work until you figure out what you want to do, at which point you'll know what you need to study.
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</p>
<p>That's what they want to do: make you feel bad if you switch programs. I personally believe that if you tried it out and decide it is not for you and switch programs, you are being more true to them and yourself. Don't let comments like "graduate study isn't a place for undecided students" keep you away from changing the direction of your work. Obviously don't go jumping back and forth, but definitely give one a try and if you don't like it opt for a transfer.</p>
<p>Thanks guys.
I'm gonna give it some thought, but chances are I'll opt for trying Arch for 6 months (as jmilton suggested).</p>
<p>It's not about making anyone "feel bad" for switching programs. It's simply the case that departments invest more in their graduate students as individuals and prefer serious students who know what they want. </p>
<p>You can't generally transfer between different departments in graduate school. You have to reapply to the new department and when you submit transcripts indicating you didn't finish what you started in the old department, the new department may be predisposed to consider you a risky applicant. If the new department is undersubscribed and you don't need funding, your record may not hinder your application. If the new department has competitive admissions and/or you need funding, it can be a problem. </p>
<p>The OP can do whatever s/he wants but academic departments at universities expect applicants to have determined, prior to applying, that studying in the department would be consistent with the applicant being "true to him/herself," whatever that means.</p>
<p>Yeh, I see your logic. What about doing 1 semester at a university, earning some credits, and transferring to the different degree at another university? </p>
<p>Basically, I've found a university I'd like to study architecture at (which I've received admittance to), but there's a chance I may not enjoy it. In this event, I've found an alternative (in Interior Design) at another university, which I'll apply to. The interior design degree requires a summer school course in architectural drafting before entering as well, so I could use the credits from my semester in Architecture. Wise? I dont know.
Since it would be different universities, would you still advise against this?</p>
<p>If/when you apply to the interior design program, you will be asked to chronologically account for everything you've done since you finished your undergraduate degree. If you mention the arch graduate program, you will likely be expected to produce at least one recommendation from a graduate school professor. To get that recommendation, you have to tell your arch program that you're considering transferring. If you don't get in to the interior design program, staying in the arch program would be tough.</p>
<p>Is there a single school with strong programs in both arch and interior design where you'd be qualified for admission to both programs? If so, you could take courses as a "special student" in both departments and then apply to the department you determine to be the best fit for you. The drawback is that special students aren't funded.</p>
<p>There is a school (that I've applied to for Architecture already) that has strong programs in interior design and arch, but the problem is that funding is a big deal for me. I need whatever financial assistance I can get. </p>
<p>Admittedly I rushed into this whole application process. Decided late last year that I wanted to try architecture and with the imminent deadlines, I wasn't able to put sufficient thought into it. I've now decided I'd more than likely enjoy interior design a whole lot more (as the interiors have always appealed to me more than the structures themselves), but alas, I'm too late to apply for that. Also, the main school I'd want to apply to for interior design is one of the schools I've applied to for arch, so I'd have to state that on my application. Amazingly they offer fall and spring start-dates for their interior design program, so it wouldn't be the LONGEST wait, but the whole application process was so lengthy and costly, that I'd feel guilty throwing it all away.</p>
<p>I'm really in a bit of a pickle here :(</p>
<p>If funding is important, you could work and apply next year. You'll have more time to research your options, fill-in missing prerequisites, maybe you'll even find a unique program that combines your interests. You would lose application fees you've already paid, but much of your application costs i.e. portfolio can be reused next year. Starting a program when you're not sure of the direction you really want to go could end up creating more problems for you than it solves.</p>
<p>By the way, I actually wouldn't have to mention that I'd taken a semester in arch at another school. That bit where I said that I would require a summer school course...I was wrong. It's only recommended for people who don't have any drafting skills (which I'd pick up during that semester).</p>
<p>So yeh, I could always do a semester at one school to learn the drafting skills and to try architecture and if I decide I don't like it, apply to an interior program at another school without having to mention that I'd done a semester in architecture. If I don't get in, I just carry on with the arch. The only downside is they'll see I had applied to their arch program before and probably wonder what happened that I decided to switch to interior design.</p>
<p>Personally, I do not really know how detrimental it would be for you to switch degrees in your situation but I thought I would share my experience for what it is worth.</p>
<p>Going into grad school I really did not have any experience with grad programs (coming from a small LAC) and thought I knew what I wanted. After a year or so (partly for departmental political reasons) I realized what I thought I was interested in was not really what I was interested in. I switched programs (and departments) within the same school with no problem. In fact, the new department was glad to have me and saw my switch not as failing one program but as them stealing away a promising student for their program. So it took me 4 years to get a master's but also gave me something interesting to write about in my SOP for PhD programs and helped cement the fact that I knew, now, what I really wanted to do for my PhD. I had tried other types of research and it helped narrow my focus. That said I got interviews for every school to which I applied even though I changed master's programs half way through.</p>
<p>I always tell people if I had known then what I know now I would have just gone for the second program to start, the only problem is I learned what I know now by doing what I did. Sometimes it takes trying something out to realize you do not like it. Again, this plan may not work for you, but I am here to say that it also does not mean that changing programs will make any graduate school think you totally lack focus and not admit you later. You can always spin your experience to prove that you have thought of everything and are very clear in your decision now. Good luck with things, I hope it works out for you.</p>
<p>Yeh, thanks to both of you for the awesome advice.
I guess the best thing to do now is to wait and see where I actually get into for the arch program and take it from there.
Cheers!</p>