<p>so what is it? please dont name grad. only undergrad.</p>
<p>CSU:
?
SLO?
POmona-is pomona better than any UCs with architect?</p>
<p>UC:?</p>
<p>PRIVATE SCHOOLS:?</p>
<p>In California, Cal Poly SLO offers one of the best undergraduate architecture programs.</p>
<p>Over USC? Please.</p>
<p>and the debate begins..</p>
<p>UCS?</p>
<p>PRIVATE?</p>
<p>why? are there any statistics?</p>
<p>how does CPP rank in this area?</p>
<p>Refer to the USC board on CC to find a recent thread on USC vs. CPP</p>
<p>If you ask PRACTICING architects instead of CC readers (smile) you will find that Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is typically ranked far ahead of USC.
In fact, there is an annual ranking of architecture programs that asks owners of 148 architectural firms to rank arch. programs based on their experiences with graduates and perceived quality. For the last survey I have access to (2003), Cal Poly SLO ranked second in the nation, second only to Harvard. (here's one link:
<a href="http://architecture.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=architecture&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.di.net%2Farticle.php%3Farticle_id%3D178)%5B/url%5D">http://architecture.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=architecture&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.di.net%2Farticle.php%3Farticle_id%3D178)</a>. USC wasn't even in the top 20.</p>
<p>If you want to get this year's rankings, go to <a href="http://www.di.net%5B/url%5D">www.di.net</a>. They do break down various programs by regions as well as nationally. You do have to pay for them though.</p>
<p>Ouch, I've just been smacked down.</p>
<p>In USC architecture's defense though, in addition to very famous alumni (Gehry, Thom Mayne), highly notable profs, the "Los Angeles School" following and style of architecture is directly traced to USC. Perhaps SLO leads in practicality, but it is certinaly arguable which school has had more of an impact on architecture itself.</p>
<p>i guess pomona is out of the question</p>
<p>CalPoly is ranked the highest by practicing architects, but USC has a strong program and SciArch, too, seems an interesting, intense, and creative program. Berkeley, too, is well thought of. Another 5-year (design-based) program is at California College of the Arts in San Francisco. Lots of choices in California. Of course, you first have to make the big choice between the 5-year B.Arch or the B.A. + M.A. (4 + 2) programs.</p>
<p>you think Pomona will be adequate?</p>
<p>Carolyn,</p>
<p>I would ask readers to be cautious of that survey; not because USC is not on it but because it is indeed a survey.</p>
<p>One may point out that US News Rankings are partly a survey as well, however there is little variance in the results from year to year. The reason for this lies in the difference in methodologies between the two. US News asks peer institutions to rank a predefined set of colleges. This particular survey asks firms to pull random college names out of the sky. The data you're pointing to has such a great degree of variance that it could hardly be considered statistically relevant. Syracuse #4 in 2002, but somehow dropped 14 ranks to #18 in 2003? Yale from #10 to #5? And the biggest jump... SLO from nowhere to #2? Sorry, but schools don't jump like this from year to year - certainly not to this degree. </p>
<p>I don't doubt that SLO has a good arch school - perhaps with even better employment opportunities than USC. But to cite a SURVEY as evidence? One that ranks Ball State ahead of Berkeley and USC? Please.</p>
<p>Sorry, vyan, but I know zilch about Pomona. No reflection on the school. I just don't know about it.</p>
<p>You don't actually have to choose between a B. Arch or M. Arch. After completing the B. Arch you can always take one more year and also receive your M. Arch. So you can have both. A few years ago I was able to find the ARE (Architectural Resgistration Examination) pass rate for the California Schools. That is statistically meaningful and it placed CCA at the top. I found it interesting and significant that a school within an art college, with a strong design foucs, did the best job of preparing its students for the largely technical exam.</p>
<p>whats CCA?</p>
<p>California College of Arts in San Francisco</p>
<p>True, you can certainly get an M.Arch after a B.Arch, but when choosing an undergrad program, you do need to decide if you want the pre-professional 5-year B.Arch program (which allows you to begin studying architecture in your first year of study) or the Bachelor of Arts in Architecture. The latter typically doesn't include too much study in architecture until the junior year of college. Often, too, you must apply to the college of architecture within your university (during your sophomore year) with no guarantee that you'll be admitted. You can work in an architecture firm immediately with a B.Arch -- although you need that 3-year internship before taking the ARE. You must continue and get the M.Arch if you merely have the B.A. in Architecture.</p>
<p>USC is the best in CA for architecture.</p>
<p>sciarc.edu</p>