<p>i am currently a junior in high school and i want to be an architect. well i did really well at school until this year my grades kinda dropped and because of money issue i am planing to go to community college and then go to really good top architect schools. But my question is Can I?. First of all what are the good architect schools. Second what are the chances of getting accepted to some college/university to become architect from community college. Please help !!!</p>
<p>There are two degrees that lead to becoming an architect. 1) A Bachelor of Architecture degree (B.Arch) which usually takes 5 years or 2) A Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree (BS/BA) plus a Master’s of Architecture (M.Arch) which can take in total between 6 to 7.5 years. </p>
<p>There are many good architecture schools that offer either or both degrees, and successful architects have followed both routes. You can look at Design Intelligence for the top rated B.Arch and M.Arch programs: <a href=“http://www.di.net/articles/america-s-best-architecture-schools-2014”>http://www.di.net/articles/america-s-best-architecture-schools-2014</a></p>
<p>But, really, don’t put too much emphasis on ratings; there are many schools that are very good and not so selective. Some offer co-op work-study programs that allow you to defer expenses and gain experience. Some offer financial aid – both need and merit based.</p>
<p>The B.Arch is an intensive and focused program. Most likely transferring into a B.Arch program from a CC would mean extending the total time beyond 5 years. In that event, you might be better off transferring to – or starting at – a college that offers a BS or BA in architecture or something related like art or art history and then getting an M.Arch.</p>
<p>Without knowing more about your situation it’s difficult to suggest colleges. What is your current GPA? Have you taken the SAT or ACT? Why do you think your financial situation will improve after a year or two of community college?</p>
<p>You might investigate if your family is eligible for enough financial aid to allow you to go to a regular 4 year college instead of a community college. </p>
<p>Or if you have some experience in design (or drawing) and can produce a portfolio you might consider going directly into a B.Arch program that is more art than academics focused. </p>
<p>There are lots of options, but first could you explain more about why you feel that community college is your best next step? </p>
<p>What state are you in/</p>
<p>what is your gpa?</p>
<p>what is your test score?</p>
<p>How will your financial situation GREATLY change for the better in a year or two?</p>
<p>how much will your parents pay each year for your transfer college?</p>
<p>transfers often dont get much aid, so doing that route may be very expensive or unaffordable.</p>
<p>what state schools can you commute to from home?</p>
<p>I agree with the idea of doing the bachelors then the masters if money is an issue, because you would have trouble funding a 5th year of undergrad, whille a masters could be done with a grad-plus loan.</p>
<p>First of all thank you so much for replying so my current gpa is 3.5 and i live in california. i have taken sat once and my score arent so great . Well i thought the cc after high school and transfer was like the best idea. First people have been telling me it saves lot of money and second i just felt like i will not be accepted to the like top universities i wanna go to . So transfering sounded right thing for me. I really dont know what to do. Please help me </p>
<p>Well, the two Cal Polys (SLO and Pomona) have NAAB-accredited BArch programs, which should be relatively low cost if you are a California resident. Check their net prices at <a href=“Cal State Apply | CSU”>Cal State Apply | CSU; . Note that SLO appears very high in several undergraduate architecture rankings.</p>
<p>They do accept transfer students; see <a href=“http://www.assist.org”>http://www.assist.org</a> for transfer preparation at California CCs.</p>
<p>However, the large number of classes and credit units of architecture courses may mean that completing a BArch in 5 years as a transfer may be difficult, although not impossible. But taking extra time would reduce any savings that you would get by starting at a CC. A typical BArch program has architecture and general education courses mixed in the 5 years: <a href=“http://www.csupomona.edu/~arc/barch-flowchart.html”>http://www.csupomona.edu/~arc/barch-flowchart.html</a> . A transfer student would likely complete all of the general education and non-architecture requirements at CC, then fill the remaining years with almost exclusively architecture courses.</p>
<p>More about the BArch programs at the Cal Polys:
<a href=“http://www.csupomona.edu/~arc/barch.html”>http://www.csupomona.edu/~arc/barch.html</a>
<a href=“http://www.arch.calpoly.edu/content/prospective/index”>http://www.arch.calpoly.edu/content/prospective/index</a></p>
<p>Note that admissions to the BArch major at SLO appears to be very competitive, and the BArch major is impacted at Pomona.</p>
<p>There are also 4-year BA or BS programs in architecture which are not NAAB-accredited, but can allow you to get an NAAB-accredited MArch degree afterward in less time (typically 2 years instead of the more usual 3 years). Among state universities in California, UCB and UCLA have such programs.</p>
<p>If the net price calculators indicate affordability, it would be a good idea to apply to CPP and CPSLO for frosh admission to their BArch programs. But also look into the CC and transfer route on <a href=“http://www.assist.org”>http://www.assist.org</a> , since admission is likely very competitive.</p>
<p>There may be other schools with BArch programs that may not be as difficult to get into. Cross referencing the following lists (schools with automatic full tuition or better scholarships you may qualify for and NAAB-accredited BArch schools):</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/16451378/#Comment_16451378”>Automatic Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships - #300 by BobWallace - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums;
<a href=“http://www.naab.org/r/schools/search.aspx”>http://www.naab.org/r/schools/search.aspx</a></p>
<p>gives the following:</p>
<p>Tuskegee
Howard
Florida A&M</p>
<p>But check to see whether the scholarship applies to the fifth year; if not, you would have to budget for a non-scholarship fifth year.</p>
<p>college, it’s not clear what kind of help you’re looking for. Going to CC for a couple of years, may offset some expense of a 4 year BS/BA degree, but it may just extend the process of getting a B.Arch, making it ultimately more expensive. You might be better off getting a BS/BA at the best school you can afford, then getting an M.Arch. The M.Arch will be expensive but you can get loans and work study options are available.</p>
<p>First you have to get clarity on your family’s financial situation. What can you afford? Are you eligible for need based aid? Are you a contender for QuestBridge? </p>
<p>Determine the cost of attending a State private school – either for architecture or anything else. </p>
<p>If that works, then you have that choice. If it doesn’t work, then run the financial calculators for some out of state publics and in-state privates. </p>
<p>A 3.5 GPA makes the possibility of getting substantial merit aid iffy at top rated schools, but not out of the realm of possibility at less selective schools. Demonstrated artistic talent may compensate, especially at design focused schools.</p>
<p>I don’t know what the “top universities” are that you have your heart set on, so can’t begin to give advice on how to get there, but for sure you need to tackle the money part first. </p>