UIUC Undergraduate Architecture Program - how good is it?

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hey, I'm a freshmen Purdue university right now, recently I just found out I been accepted into UIUC's school of architecture. </p>

<p>It is something I really want to do, but I'm hesitant to give up Civil Engineering to go to architecture in UIUC. </p>

<p>So I really want to know how high the architecture program in UIUC is ranked? And if it's worth it to give up civil engineering in Purdue to go to UIUC for architecture.</p>

<p>really need help on this matter, confused right now.</p>

<p>Any tips would be appreciated, thanks in advanced.</p>

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<p>please, really need help on this, tried to research on the net but got nothing.</p>

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<p>If you go to the other arch forum thread, I've posted a lot of personal opinion type information on the UIUC arch program (I'm a Junior in UIUC arch).</p>

<p>Um, as far as rankings, our undergrad program is always advertised as in the "first quartile" of programs, which, judging by the fact there are about 125ish accredited arch programs nationwide, we are probably ranked somewhere in the 20-30 range. In general though, I think the program is making very important changes that will boost its rankings in the next couple of years.</p>

<p>As to your decision to give up Civil Engineering and pursue Architecture, understand that the two are pretty much completely different, except that Architecture has a small amount of course work in the Junior year that is related to civil engineering (basically some structures and strength of materials courses). Engineering is much much much more technical and math-oriented, whereas Architecture is essentially an art degree with extensive history, math, and science tacked on to it. Not to mention, you need a masters in architecture to become a licensed architect, and in civil, to my understanding, employers/the industry really value the bachelors degree. You'll spend less time in school for the engineering degree, but the architecture degree will leave you with a much more rounded education and probably a few more options (since there are a few schools, of which UIUC is included, which offer dual-degree programs in architecture and either civil engineering, urban planning, business administration, landscape architecture, and history). </p>

<p>It's what you want to do: be creative and do a lot (A LOT) of art related course work and a fair amount of technical work like math, or be creative and do a ton of math and learn a lot of VERY VERY technical, but also interesting stuff about civil engineering.</p>

<p>As a side note: One of my classmates transfered from Purdue Business school to UofI Architecture, and absolutely loves it and has been absolutely successful, but of course that is just her.</p>

<p>If you have other questions feel free to ask!</p>

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<p>Erm, UIUC undegrad architecture doesn’t really exist. You get a 4-year B.S in architectural studies, and unless you plan on going STRAIGHT to grad school, you probs can’t do much with it (architectural firms, etc. are more likely to hire/intern people whose degree is in ARCHITECTURE, not AS). It’s not really design–it’s more the stuff you need to be prepared to study real architecture. I was planning on applying to Illinois until I found that out.
Try to apply to the U of MN. They offer pre-professional B.S., B.A. (bad idea in my opinion–no real design at all) and Bachelor of Design in Architecture. Or apply to an accredited 5 year BArch program.</p>