Hi guys,
I saw that Tufts did not offer a BA/BS in architecture, but that they offered architectural studies. Does anyone know anything about this program? Would it help me to develop a portfolio to apply for architecture grad school?
Thanks!
http://ase.tufts.edu/art/architecture/
They offer a BA in Architectural studies. That’s similar to BA in Architecture. They use different names for the same thing. It’s a 4 year program. Yes, this is fine for getting into architecture - Grad school and yes the program will help you build your portfolio. You might want to take a look at the required courses and compare it to other schools so you can see the differences.
Ok thanks!! I was just concerned that it would not help me put together a portfolio. Thanks!!
Depends on what your definition of ‘help me put together a portfolio’ means… If you’re talking providing base material for a portfolio, sure. But part of the work in doing a portfolio is the after-work of pulling 3 1/2 years worth of studios and work into 30 pages in an irresistible 
way. A few schools have courses or seminars specifically for portfolio creation, but I’m not sure how common that is.
As you probably are aware Tufts is an academically excellent school with many fine resources. Their major concentration in architectural studies is a subset of a BA in Art History supplemented by courses at the School of Museum of Fine Arts and Tufts’ own engineering and urban design schools.
This is how they describe the program:
I like the description, but looking more closely I’d say the backgrounds of the architecture faculty and course listings are somewhat limited and disjointed.
Some of the studio courses in architectural design are marked “high demand” which may be worrisome and choices are less broad than you would find in an undergraduate BA/BS program affiliated with an architecture school. The SMFA is a solid art school, but it’s not known for architecture.
This isn’t necessarily a deal breaker for MArch admissions as there are other ways to develop a portfolio, and many MArch students do not have specific architecture backgrounds. Tufts lists several architectural summer and study abroad options which may serve the purpose of intensifying their architecture offerings and providing portfolio fodder.
If you like Tufts, I’m sure you could make it work. I’d suggest you ask them which MArch programs their archtiectural studies graduates have been admitted to. The explanation on their website seems to me a little ambivalent toward careers in architecture:
@turbo93 I just meant that they would provide base material for the portfolio.
@momrath So you don’t think that a top MArch program would be likely to admit someone coming from Tufts? I am a little bit confused as to what you mean.
I appreciate the responses!!!
I liked Tufts a lot, and while they are not my top choice, it is very high up on my list. I want to know if their arch studies program comparable to a ba/bs architecture
The best way to find out what MArch programs Tufts architectural studies graduates get into is to ask Tufts for that information. I don’t have any personal experience with the program, but just looking at their website, I would say that it’s an intellectually solid program, maybe a bit light on the design side.
MArch programs admit a wide range of students, from different demographics, different undergraduate schools, different degrees, different backgrounds and life experiences. Portfolios do not necessarily have to include architectural work.
BS Architecture programs tend to be somewhat similar to each other. BA Architecture or architectural studies (which are basically the same thing) are more variable – some lean toward art history, some toward design. Usually – but not always – being associated with a school of architecture means a stronger program.
Tufts architectural studies seems to me to be more art history than design driven, though they make a point that it is multi-dimensional. Other northeast universities that offer a BA in architecture or architectural studies draw on their own or affiliated architecture schools which gives them greater depth in studios and instructors.
Ok and you think that would negatively inmpact my MArch admissions chances?
I have another question. Is it bad applying to a BA or bs architecture program without a portfolio? It’s a long story, but I don’t really have one
It’s not bad, many well regarded schools don’t ask for one for a BS/BA Arch. The portfolio’s main purpose in my view is to let the applicant determine if they have the patience and determination to create how many different pieces, not simply how good the pieces are.
Do you have great high school stats? architecture tends to attract some very high stat kids.
@TheWaffleMan149, I really don’t know Tufts’ track record for getting their graduates into top MArch programs. As I’ve suggested (twice), ask them. They only have 15-20 architectural studies majors each year. They can tell you how many go on to MArch programs. If you are hesitant to ask now, apply then ask if you are accepted. This is either a selling point for the program or it’s not.
If you think Tufts is a good fit for you then you should apply to Tufts. Their architectural studies program will provide you with an excellent liberal arts education and a solid foundation for MArch admissions.
I think you’re getting ahead of yourself in worrying about your MArch portfolio submission. Choose the undergraduate school that best suits your personality and learning style and that you can afford. Over the course of four years the next steps will fall into place.
Assembling a portfolio is on you. Your undergraduate school can point you in the right direction – and hopefully provide feedback – but you’re the one who has to have the vision and do the work. There are plenty of ways to accumulate work for a portfolio that don’t include an undergraduate major in architecture: for example, summer career exploration programs, study abroad or away programs at architecture schools, studio art or architectural drawing courses at your school or outside, summer internships or post graduation work experience.
Here is a list of the undergraduate experience of Yale’s MArch students.
http://architecture.yale.edu/people/enrolled-students
You can infer the diversity in educational experiece, life experience and gender, ethnicity and age. MArch programs are looking for a balanced class. No matter where you do your undergraduate work, there’s no guarantee that you will get into a top program, especially those that are wildly selective like the top 5 as rated by Design Intelligence. Once you get beyond the top 5 selectivity loosens up a bit, and there are many excellent programs that are not highly selective. Like undergraduate admissions, you’ll need to follow the reach, match, safety dictum.
As far as I know BA programs do not require portfolios. (There may be exceptions. If you find one let me know.) Usually, admissions to BA programs falls under general admissions to the university or college. In some cases you have to apply separately to the architecture major after you’ve matriculated.
BS programs are often (not always) administered by the university’s school of architecture. If they say portfolio submission is optional, then it’s optional.
Colleges understand that high school students may not have had the opportunity to develop a body of work. However, if you’ve taken art courses of any type, you should consider submitting a general art portfolio and resume.
Ok thanks. I appreciate the advice. I just want to make sure that I am ending up in a major that will lay a solid foundation for grad school
@turbo93 A lot of my stats are mid 50% or around there.
Then cast a wider net - depending on which state you live and what you can afford. Tufts is an expensive proposition from what I know. There are plenty of great OOS options for a lot less.