<p>I need advice!!!
Which architecture program is better?</p>
<p>you can't compare like that...they are completely different types of programs. if you want to do a 5 year, go to carnegie mellon, because berkeley does not offer a 5 year b.arch.</p>
<p>sashimi46, can you tell us more the difference of the programs? How is Berkeley's program?</p>
<p>^ yes.. anyone please?</p>
<p>How are they different?</p>
<p>Well, a five-year Bachelor of Architecture is a professional degree which makes you eligible (along with completing the Intern Development Program) to sit for the ARE's (licensing exams). A four-year Bachelor of Arts in Architecture or Bachelor of Science in Architecture is considered a pre-professional degree and does not confer that eligibility. If you get a BS or BA, you would most likely (depending on your state) have to go to graduate school before you could become a Registered Architect. So if you don't want to go to graduate school, do the five year program. If you think you want to go to grad school anyway, then the four-year program might be ok.</p>
<p>it sounds like bachelor of arts in architecture doesn't really help much, i guess i am stuck with it....</p>
<p>a 4-year degree + grad M.Arch will leave you with a more well rounded education experience but with only one field to explore. if you pursue a B.Arch, you can later go onto grad school to acquire another professional graduate school degree, which might be useful if you want to accompany your architecture degree with something similar, or do something different later on in life.</p>
<p>This is seriously a really tuogh decision. Berkeley offers a 4-year archi program but then I will have to go to grad school for 2 years to get my liscense. CMU offers a 5-year program; that means I will have a liscence right after I graduate. Well, in terms of... life, I will be SO much happier at cmu. Berkeley is obviously very competitive in terms of academic, and I understand that it will be a challenge for me to stretch my ability even more. I wanna go to Berkeley because... this is comleteeleleley a blessing from God, I swear. With a score lower than avg I still have no clue why the heccckkk they accepted me and when I am an international (1% non-us admitted according to stats). This opportunity is such a gift and I dont' wanna waste it.</p>
<p>But then talking about Carnegie Mellon, I love the studios (I've had a through tour). I love the people. I love the campus - it's small and really does give me a family feeling. The architecture program is really intense and is also regonized as one of the top archi programs in the nation. </p>
<p>I mean both schools are awesome, and either one I choose to attend with cause me no harm. Berkeley - tough tough tough. CMU - happy happy happy. Both - good good good.</p>
<p>I seriously need help here. Everyone around me is telling me to go to Berkeley because they don't know about Carnegie Mellon (not as well-known to Canada I guess). Right now I am trying to find out the difference between these two. Any advice, please?</p>
<p>"CMU offers a 5-year program; that means I will have a liscence right after I graduate"</p>
<p>NO. This is WRONG. Having a professional degree is only step 1 in a grueling licensure process. After (and partially during if it suits you) your B.Arch, you will also need to fulfill the requirements of the Intern Development Program in most states, which consists primarily of working in an office and spending a certain number of hours on different aspects of architecture, such as construction documentation, site planning, project coordination, office management, etc. Then, once you've got your B.Arch and you've completed IDP, and submitted a bit more paperwork to your state licensure board, then you've just become eligible to take your nine NCARB exams, which are extremely tough. When you're done with those, you may have additional state requirements to fulfill, such as an oral interview in California or an additional (at home) test on specific local codes in Oklahoma.</p>
<p>I'm not trying to be harsh on you, but I think it's important that a student (especially one considering a B.Arch where there's less room to turn back) know what they are getting into in this profession.</p>
<p>That said, if your heart is at CMU, then why go elsewhere? CMU isn't exactly a walk in the park academically, and a 5 year program is nearly always more rigorous than a 4 year, so don't feel like you have to go to Berkeley for the greater challenge.</p>
<p>larationalist-M.Arch graduates also need to take the IDP right? Is it any shorter than the IDP for B.Arch graduates? or are they still the same?</p>
<p>they are the same. The only difference may be the timing of it- because many people take time to work in an office or two between their BA and M.Arch, many have IDP done or partially done by the time they start their M.Arch. But then, B.Arch students can have their internships count starting in their third year if I remember correctly.</p>
<p>i prefer a 4+2 approach, if only because it gives you a more well-rounded education... it's time well spent, imo.</p>
<p>im going to cal's ced, btw...</p>
<p>Also, Carnegie Mellon's Program is 7th in the U.S. (forgot the list), and 10th according to DI (Design Intelligence)</p>
<p>hey tehre, i could help with a little stuff about cmu. i went to cmu for my summer program!</p>
<p>i'm turning down cmu because it is too expensive (no financial aid :[)</p>
<p>cmu is hardcore. esp. they're architecture. i didnt sleep whenever there was a project due the next day. the professors can be tough, but they know what they're doing. however, pittsburgh is not an amazing architectural city to study at. it's not that it's boring, but it's not like other cities. the only beautiful things about it is the sports stadiums and the bridges (there are like 123049829034).</p>
<p>cmu's food is terrible. i almost died from hunger...try to get the smallest meal plan and buy food at local vendors (don't worry...they're CHEAP and filling). the dorms are okay - freshmen usually live in morewood tower E, which is the standard 2-person room with a hall bathroom. its across from the frats and sororities so you hear them a lot most nights. helicopters are always circulating the area, it's funny. you'll get used to that.</p>
<p>weather wise, cmu is ALWAYS raining. you like the sun? don't go to cmu. it rains more than seattle (seattle rains more days). luckily most buildigns aren't too far, but crossing the main cut can be tough with all that mud. invest in some nice rainboots and raincoat and lots of umbrellas! its winters can be a bit harsh if you're from cali...it can get really cold and it certainly snows a bit.</p>
<p>public transportation is free and usually very convenient to its local areas to go shopping, get food, hang out, etc. this is a huge plus! and also a VERY convenient shuttle from the airport - only a few dollars whereas a taxi is like $60!</p>
<p>i would say do your undergrad at cmu, but go to ucberkeley for grad!</p>