<p>So I'm really conflicted right now.
I have been accepted to Syracuse with a full tuition scholarship(excludes room+board) and UCLA with a 5k/year scholarship+grant(15k total). Because of the tuition difference between LA and Syracuse, the estimated cost to attend either for an undergraduate degree would be basically the same.</p>
<p>From UCLA i'd be going in as a Design|Media Arts major, and I'd apply to add Architectural studies as a double major(the program starts junior year there). Grad school after that so I can actually get a job.</p>
<p>From Syracuse, its the typical 5-year B.arch program with a minor in something i'll figure out once i get there.</p>
<p>I know most of the people on this forum would say stick to b.arch for sure, but I'm still 50/50, primarily because the dean of UCLA's architecture program is one of my favorite architects, and the opportunity to double major(without committing oneself to a slow suicide of overwork). I thought it would give me a unique outlook with a different background(although now that i think about it, it wouldn't be all that unique. a good amount of the DMA kids at UCLA add architecture as a double major)</p>
<p>Anyway, same price tag, different degrees, different education.</p>
<p>I want a design-driven education and a lot of project experience. Something tells me for that Syracuse is the better choice, but then again, I don't really know much about UCLA's undergraduate architecture program.</p>
<p>My other options are CMU and USC, but they're a lot pricier. If I chose either of these schools, grad school would probably come much later since I wouldn't be able to afford that after just dishing out 200k+.</p>
<p>Sorry about the long-winded post. If you've read through it all, thanks for your time.</p>
<p>Syracuse has a strong program, my wife knows a couple of the professors there who are great, but are you trying to decide between going to school in upstate New York or Westwood, California based on the quality of the architecture program? You are much more mature than I was at 18 ;-)</p>
<p>If you are sure about architecture then a five year degree gives you more options and prepares you for a job sooner, and I would urge most students to go to another school for their graduate degree so they can be exposed to a different point of view. So Syracuse is the architecture program that I would pick, but the option of going to school in Southern California at a beautiful campus would sure be hard to turn down.</p>
<p>Hahahah I do realize that as a California native adjusting to upstate New York will be pretty difficult. But my sister is a senior at Syracuse and it seems she adjusted fine (although she hated the first winter)</p>
<p>Actually now that I think about it, if I went to UCLA for undergrad architecture I guess I’d really only experience it for two years, which makes that pretty pointless…</p>
<p>Syracuse is looking more like a better decision by the day.
Thanks a lot for your input! I was worried that its DesignIntelligence ranking was just overrated(they do graduate about 100 students a year I think and the alumni network is pretty big) but I guess there really is something to back it up.</p>
<p>Oh, there was one thing about choosing UCLA that I thought would be good. The DMA program would be pretty useful in the field of architecture - if what I know of architecture is true anyway. A lot of it is being able to sell your design, right? UCLA’s DMA program educates a lot in graphic design and multimedia design. I thought I could use that to make fancy and attractive graphic elements for a design pitch. just a thought.</p>
<p>UCLA’s design/media arts is very hard to get into, especially this year with the record number of applicants and budget cuts and all that. So seriously, congrats about that! :]
I dont know too much about Sycaruse, so I cant really compare your two schools, sorry!</p>
<p>Also, for USC and CMU, I thought they had B.Arch programs, so would you get a different degree in grad school? The reason I chose a B.Arch program was that people said I could start working after 5 years, without going to grad school for an MArch. Did I miss something?</p>
<p>I believe the post-professional 1-year M.arch II program is designed for people with a B.arch. I may be incorrect… but I’ve heard that somewhere. That was my plan if I were to go to Syracuse or, if I get in, Cooper Union.</p>
<p>and thank you for the congratulations. I was VERY surprised to see I got in. (:</p>
<p>BTW, I should have also offered my congratulations. Those are two pretty awesome offers you have received! You must have been doing something right in HS.</p>
<p>Congrats on the UCLA DMA program. I know a good bunch of students/teachers/alumni of the DMA program and they’re always producing mind-blowing things! One just got his art work exhibited at MoMA.</p>
<p>In regards to “I guess I’d really only experience it for two years, which makes that pretty pointless”
I wouldn’t necessarily call it pointless; unless you’re 100% sure that you do want to go into architecture, being at UCLA would be a great way to explore all avenues. I think the last thing you’d want is to attend Syracuse for 1 year, hate it, transfer out of the architecture program, spend 1 year trying to figure out what you want to do, then commit to that major, all the while paying private-school-sized tuition. </p>
<p>And yes, if a B.Arch chose to do more schooling, they’d do a post-prof. M.arch II or III</p>
<p>yeah i know the M.arch II isn’t necessary, but it does significantly boost your resume :P</p>
<p>I’m completely set on architecture as a career, but something in the back of my head keeps saying having a diverse skillset will likely serve to help me in an architecture career.</p>
<p>it seems a lot of my favorite architects have that sort of thing going for them.</p>
<p>I’m set on architecture as a career too, but i’d like to have the MBA in case I magically think up the world’s next big thing… or decide to start up my own firm. :P</p>
<p>ak - it’s not like you won’t get a diverse skill set in arch school; not exactly sure how Syracuse’ curriculum is structured, but what other field can one learn graphic design, architecture, dig. fabrication, product design, arch. history, env. technology &c., all wonderfully packaged in a B.Arch? If you really want a DMA skill set after Syracuse, you could always apply for a 2 yr. MFA.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input guys! I’m visiting both of these schools over my Spring Break, so I’ll hopefully be able to decide after a thorough look at the programs.</p>
<p>Hello Rick12… I have been following alot of your post and consider you very well versed in the field of architecture. I love architecture and absolutely know that is the field i will enter. I have been interning with a local architect and have foundhim very helpful and experienced with running his practice. I am a senior in high school and have been accepted to Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Howard university, Temple University, Drexel University, and UMass Amherst. what school do you think out of these is the best for architecture? I have been waitlisted for my dream school Syracuse University School of Architecture. I was wondering if you could give me any ideas or reccomendations on how to get off the waiting list. You said you wife knows a couple of the professors so i thought you could give me a recommendation.</p>
<p>Nichi, though I am familiar with Syracuse, I am not familiar with the other schools you mentioned. We recruit in the SE and SW, so these are the schools I am familiar with, and of course Syracuse has a national reputation. I will ask my wife if she has talked to her classmates recently, but I do not think they were involved with the admissions process. Why don’t you call someone in the department? A friendly administrative assistant could probably guide you to the person who oversees admissions, and a conversation with you might cement you as a real person rather than another paper application.</p>
