Transferring while switching to Archtectual Engineering?????

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>Transferring while switching
Ok so this is my deal: I couldn't afford going directly into a College right after graduating from High School, so I (well, not really me but my parents <lol> after all they pay for my education <double lol="">) decided to go to Community College, Miami Dade College to be precise; I'm Majored in Architecture, already in my fourth semester right now, and though I really like it, I've had some serious thoughts about Architecture as a way of living, I really don't know if I still want to do that for the rest of my life, to be honest the only real reason why I majored in Architecture in the first place was because Industrial Design (my first choice) wasn't offered nowhere near Miami, (other than the Miami Institute which is like 40k) well that and some other factors (let's just say my parents wanted one of thier sons to be an Architect), and like I said before I really like Architecture, so it was kinda like my second option or plan B when I found out that Industrial Design wasn't offered here (which is exactly where the problem comes, it never was my first choice).Afterward, my plan was to try to get into Virginia Tech and study Architecture and minor in Industrial Design, and take some Industrial Design classes as elective too; I thought I was a great idea since Virginia Tech's Industrial Design program is recognized as on of the best in the country if not the best, and at the same time it has one of the best Architecture Program (I think is like top 5 or something), But After struggling with my Architecture class, especially the ones related with design and artsy stuff while doing pretty good in everything else I think I've realized that maybe Architecture is just not for me; and it not like I've being partying harder or just being irresponsible, I have put all my energy into this major is not like I actually just didn't study or something, I've had to do a lot of sacrifices, like having no social life (seriously, I parctitly have to give that up), and staying up all night working in a model then going to school and then right to work, then getting home late at night just to stay up all night again working in some drawings that ntakes you forever to finish, I really have done everything at my reach to do well at school, but somehow it's just not working well for me, It's just way essay to crack up a book for a couple of hours for a test than having to do a model of The Capitol, I mean how to you study to do a replica of the Capitol??, you just can't go to a library an read books, you either are good at it naturally or you are not; I do pretty well though, in more theorical classes, like Theory and History of Architecture. So I've done some research about changing Majors, one thing that people have recommended to me is looking into something similar to architecture somehow, like Landscape Architecture, because it required a little less design class and drawing skill and it's more of a functional field and a aesthetic one, I looked into that but It's really not that excited, What I did find intriguing though was, Architectural Engineering, I didn't know of this Major before, I seem like a pretty marketable field, I know all that chemistry, physics, calculus, etc may scare some people but that is really not that big of a deal for me, I always like challenges. I research about it and found that they are better pay than Architects, though architect do tend to have an increase in salary more regularly than "A.E." (I mean I know money is not all but why the heck would you study something in which you probably won't even a get at?;..... see what I mean! )</double></lol></p>

<p>So now my dilemma is, since I'm already pretty far with my studies in Architecture in my Community College, do you guys think I'd be better off just finishing my A.A. in Architecture and later on after I have transferred to a school just change my Major to Architectural Engineering? (and how hard would doing something like this be), or Should I finished my A.A. in Architecture and apply a university for their Architectural Engineering program (can I even do that?, like If I have an A.A. in something can I transfer to a University to a different Major than the one my A.A. says???, isn't that tough??? ) I mean, would they accept me into their Architectural Engineering program without fulfilling the required credit courses to transfer there, isn't it possible just do it there? and if so, would I have to start from scratches?</p>

<p>Or do you think I'd be better off, just changin my Major right now and take the courses required, before I transfer?</p>

<p>another Option is to Transfer as an Architecture student and then do my master in Architectural Engineering, that this option isn't that appealing to me.</p>

<p>oh, and something else, Architectural Engineering is relatively new compared to others fields of Engineering so there are only 18 Universities/Colleges in the US that offer it that are accredited by "ABET'. Out of those 18 I have narrow may options to these ones:</p>

<p>California Polytechnic State University -San Luis Obispo
Drexel
Kansas State University
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Oklahoma State University
Pennsylvania State University
Tennessee State University
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Kansas
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
University of Oklahoma
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Wyoming
Illinois Institute of Technology</p>

<p>Since there isn't any kind of ranking for Architectural Engineering out there how would you rank those Universities based on their Architecture and Engineering program and (of course) the name and prestige of the university. It'd be very helpful (and fun LOL) to see which what ranking you guys come up with</p>

<p>I think it'd be probably safe to say that Cal Poly SLO, Dexler, Penn State, UT austin, Boulder and IIT (Illinois Tech) should be the best options.</p>

<p>I'm going to apply for all of the anyway, afterward I see which one I pick, but Cal poly, and Boulder are looking good for me so far.</p>

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<p>Wow - quite a message there. As a suggestion, if you want to get replies, it helps to take a few simple steps. First, do NOT write massively long paragraphs. It doesn’t appeal visually, meaning people avoid even reading your post regardless of content. Break up your thoughts into smaller chunks. Along the same lines, a very long post can be off-putting. Try to get to the heart of the matter by succinctly describing the issue and then asking for input. Less is often more.</p>

<p>Now, on to your post. If you do not wish to go into architecture, at what point do you think you should cut your losses - now or later? Will getting an A.A. allow you to move on to what you’d really like to do sooner or not? I’d suggest taking the steps that allow you to start down the path you think you’ll pursue long term in the quickest fashion, as long as you aren’t giving up something of value which might serve you well down the road.</p>

<p>Part of my concern for you is I don’t get a sense of commitment to a course of action, including architectural engineering. Essentially throwing away much of your architecture studies makes sense if you have a plan (as you do, even if somewhat tentative), but as you imply, if there’s a decent possibility that your A.A. degree will have value to you in the future, then you might continue on and make the switch at a logical breakpoint, which apparently isn’t too far away. You have to balance the positives of the A.A. degree with the benefits of moving on, keeping in mind the probabilities of either path playing out to your benefit. Probably not all that helpful to you, I know, but only you can judge what’s most important (and likely).</p>

<p>If you do decide to move on, you should seriously consider what it is you want to do. If it’s industrial design, then go somewhere which offers it. If it’s architectural engineering, look into those schools (Auburn and Kansas offer both, and Auburn also offers architecture). Find out what the requirements are to enter a program as a transfer, and try to get those taken care of. The best way to get answers to these questions is to ask the specific schools, rather than getting general info on these forums.</p>

<p>You do realize that architectural engineering is quite different than architecture, right? AE is a specialized branch of civil engineering. You’d be dealing with the infrastructure of buildings - lighting, plumbing, HVAC, structures, etc. Your background in architecture will be somewhat helpful in the field when you have to deal with architects, but unless/until you are an architect, you likely won’t be involved much at all with appearances. Your job is often to tell the architect why some idea WON’T work and what parameters he/she needs to operate under.</p>

<p>As for which school to study at, your first consideration is getting accepted. I don’t know much about transfers, but everything I hear about the California publics makes me think getting in is problematic for OOS students (and that’s not even looking at their current financial woes). Cost is also a potential cut line - not much sense in going somewhere you can’t afford.</p>

<p>Your list is heavy with schools offering architecture and architectural engineering. If you wanted a proxy for AE rankings, you could look to their civil engineering rankings. Really, though, most of them have good programs, but approach things differently. For example, Drexel is heavy into co-ops. MSOE is a lot of applied engineering, while IIT is more theoretical. Penn State and Texas are both huge schools in college towns, but PSU in the middle of nowhere, while UT is in a vibrant city. What do you want from your LIFE outside of school? Concentrate on that much more than rankings.</p>

<p>I apologize for such a long answer, but I tried to address the main themes of your post (and even at that, didn’t go into great detail). Give this more thought and talk to some people at the places which interest you. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I can tell you a couple of things. First, ArchE is not new at all. It’s been around at least since the late 50s, when my dad was at Texas - he was the president of the ArchE student group. I was the VP of the group in the early 80s (like father, like daughter!). The program at Texas is very highly rated, and also almost impossible to get into. It’s as competitive as biomedical engineering, in fact. Texas also has an excellent architecture department, but it’s even harder to get into than ArchE!</p>

<p>Another architecture student on CC recently asked if he could get a master’s in ArchE after getting an architecture degree. I asked my father (who is still a UT prof), and he said, “Absolutely not. He’d have to get a BS in engineering first.” Some other schools might feel differently, but I doubt it.</p>

<p>Seriously, if you would like to talk to my dad some about ArchE, he loves talking to students. He convinced my future DH to come to UT for his master’s in engineering, in fact, so that’s how we met! I will send you a message with his contact info.</p>