<p>Hi. Would like some input on architecture school choice for my son </p>
<p>My son has been accepted to:
Tulane MARCH-
Cal Poly SLO Barch -in state tuition
N eastern BS Arch
University Arizona Barch</p>
<p>Waiting to hear from Cornell Princeton Syracuse</p>
<p>Does anyone know how Tulane Ranks of if it's included in ranking since different from most programs in that it is undergrad March program.</p>
<p>Tulane Scholarship puts Tulane's overall cost about 8k/year more than Cal Poly- affordable but x 5 years significantly more. Issue is he is very intrigued by the Tulane experience; New Orleans being different from his CA home, the music, diversity, culture, the ability to be part of and giving back to the community with urban build and a strong liberal arts foundation with teacher to student ideal ratios. But how do you turn down the # 1 school for architecture at State tuition close to home & job placement opportunities for the experience, or do you?</p>
<p>This is where I think the rankings fall short. My sense is that these are very different schools with a very different emphasis. Cal Poly has a great reputation for its design build program and I tend to think of it as a really innovative and process oriented program. Not to say they don’t have a good design program, but I don’t think that’s what got them the ranking.</p>
<p>Tulane is a more design focused program, and its location in one of the most interesting urban centers in the country provides it with a strong community focus. So with programs this different I would throw out the rankings and go visit the schools and see which direction is going to be the most interesting and rewarding for your son.</p>
<p>SLO Grad, not arch. But, I had roommates in arch. My observations. World class arch school. Extremely hard to get into, hard to stay. You will work your butt off. My friends loved it. </p>
<p>UofA- Great school, awful place. Hot, poor.
NEU- Great reputation in Engr. Either love Boston or hate it. Weather is really tough.
Tulane- Culture in New Orleans is 100 proof. </p>
<p>REALLY check into the job situation for Archs now. The ones I know all got out and do some form of property or construction management or financing. Low paying jobs for those who could actually find one. May be better now, but you should dig deep here. </p>
<p>I think the market is pretty good right now. We went recruiting at six universities and all of the students we are pursuing have multiple job offers. Almost all of the 30+ firms at the job fairs were hiring. Given the workload we are seeing it should be a good market for graduates during the next few years.</p>
<p>Thank you Rick,and old indie, for great advice </p>
<p>We are planning the trips now and hoping this will help him identity more accurately what interests and excites him. Your input has really helped him solidify what he needs to question and discover on these trips.
Rick, In the previous post where you mention you had recruited from universities, was this in a regional area or was it across the US? If his long term goals are to work locally / San Diego LA area, how much weight should he put on going to college close to this region?</p>
<p>In addition, I know once you begin a BArch, especially at Cal Poly it is difficult to change. When I spoke to Tulane admission officer he stated that since Tulane is starting a 4 year BA degree in Arch that if after the first year he decides to change majors it is fairly easy in that he would have enough credits to obtain minor in architecture and major in alt. major. Now, my son states that this won’t be an issue as he is convinced architecture is the right major for him…however as a parent of this confident teenager, I can’t help but feel this could be a plus for Tulane in the debate between Tulane vs. Cal Poly … How much weight do you think this should have, if any on his decision …?</p>
<p>I think flexibility is an important factor to consider. I don’t know the drop out rate for B.Arch programs but I can imagine it’s substantial. Having the ability to switch to another area of the same university would be, to me, a plus.</p>
<p>The recent job hunting experiences of my son and his fellow 2013 grads – both B.Arch and M.Arch – indicates that the market is loosening up. Many of the firms that they joined – which are fairly widespread geographically – are recruiting architects and designers on all levels.</p>
<p>We tend to recruit at schools that have the best students willing to come the places we have offices. We visited six schools this year. At the Clemson job fair there were firms from New Haven, Portland, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta, and NY along with a bunch from SC. I think most large offices are like us: they travel pretty far to find the best students. However there is no doubt that being at a local school makes it easier to make contacts with the area firms. They are probably sitting on your juries or even visiting critics for some of your classes. I would also point out that where we think we want to go at 18 may not be the same after graduation.</p>
<p>Flexibility to change majors is nice, but it may come with an additional year of study. You have to weigh which is more important. Does Tulane still offer the 5 year March?</p>
<p>Yes, Tulane offers the 5 year undergraduate March Professional degree presently, but In addition is planning on beginning 4 year (believe BA ) program I believe next year is what the “recruiter” stated, and I read somewhere? Not sure how that will feed in with their Graduate courses, I am assuming probably a 4+2 program in addition to 5 year March. I know that they offer a minor in Architecture now for students, who have completed above introductory courses in Architecture, but don’t want to pursue major in Architecture or professional licensure. Something definitely I feel we need to look into, as this is what the recruiter alluded to may help with avoiding additional years of study if he changes his mind, as long as he makes that decision by end of Freshman year. Cal Poly in general is known for being very difficult to change, as they begin a large amount of their course work specific to the majors beginning in their Freshman year. My understanding is that is one reason why Cal poly has no undeclared choice on admission in general. However, an extra year of in state Tuition at Cal Poly is WAY more affordable than an extra year at Tulane for sure. </p>
<p>In your opinion, Is the March 5 year undergraduate program( Tulane) looked at the same as the Barch 5 year programs in the professional world?</p>
<p>Again son feels Architecture is his passion, and feels he would be inviogorated by the challenge of the course work and study, …but I am more realistic in the idea that 18 yo decisions made may need a plan B, just incase.</p>
<p>Thank-you again for all your help, it has really helped us narrow in on what we really need to consider.</p>
<p>Regarding a plan B, Tulane is an exceptionally good choice for non-Architecture majors as well. It’s my younger daughter’s top choice (not architecture). I’m familiar with the Tulane scholarships and if your son got this, he is a good scholar overall, certainly likely to thrive in architecture or anything else.</p>
<p>Some kids do know what they’re doing at an early age. My older one is now completing her junior year in BS Arch and we knew she wanted to be an architect since 9th grade. She never once balked at the insane workload and has done very well. My daughter’s experience vis a vis 5 year vs 4 has been that sure, 4+2 is easier but 5 and out BArch or March saves a lot of fuss over GRE, portfolio, mailing umpteen apps, and the like, all stuff my girl will be doing this summer.</p>
<p>My son was set on architecture from an early age too, but wanted a liberal arts education as well. For him, this was the right decision though it took longer and cost a whole lot more than a straight through B.Arch.</p>
<p>Analyzing his M.Arch class, the kids that dropped out seem split between those that thought there was too much emphasis on design and creativity and those that thought there was too much on structure and process. And several completed the degree but decided to pursue academic or tech oriented careers instead of actually practicing architecture.</p>