<p>My daughter is a a rising senior at a public high school, No SATs yet. She has taken the courses in Indiana known as PLTW- Pathway to Engineering plus mechanical drafting and architectural drafting classes. She has worked with Auto Cad and started on Revit this semester. She has a 4.07 GPA. Recently she has been more more focused on architectural design than Engineering. We are considering both interior architecture or landscape architecture as a possible undergraduate focus, I have looked at the Design Intelligence 2013 rankings and ASLA site and seen the list of landscape arch. schools. Since we are Hoosiers, Ball State (in the architecure dept) and Purdue (in the agricultural dept) are both possiblities. We also have family in Boston so we could consider Boston Architectural College either in Interior or Landscape Architecture. Virginia Tech also looks interesting. Its not that large a list of schools for undergraduate landscape architecture, Any feedback from students or professionals in either interior architecture (or interior design) or landscape architecture would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Both programs are very good and top rated. Why not regular architecture tho? With a decent portfolio or even GPA and test scores alone she could get into quite a few places, BSU Arch for sure. Maybe schools where they do the first year common between all three fields and then she could decide arch, landscape, or interior…</p>
<p>Thanks turbo93, I think that the interest in the landscape part comes from interest in environmental issues. Only BSU has the foundation year- Purdue doesn’t have architecture since the LA program is in the agriculture dept. It does have architectural engineering, Interestingly, BSU doesn’t require an admissions portfolio, nor does Virginia Tech. Probably she will do the Boston Architectural College 4 week summer design camp which should help her clarify her interests.</p>
<p>fujimom, I have a son who went through VT’s Land Arch program. Awesome experience there and he received a tremendous education. Their school of natural resources and environment is also one of the top in the country, so if she wants to take environmental courses to supplement her arch degree (or even minor in something dealing with the environment) she will take classes from some of the top educators in their fields. </p>
<p>From what I remember Ball State’s program has an excellent reputation and given the fact that it is in state, would be a super option. I remember seeing several ASLA awards go to Ball State student teams over the years. I don’t know much about Purdue. If she can look OOS without taking out a lot in loans, give Tech a serious look. Just keep in mind it is a very expensive major and it is 5 years for a BLA. Good luck to you both!</p>
<p>Thanks KandKsmom. VT looks like a wonderful program but we will certainly consider our in state options seriously based on cost factors. One thing that concerns me about this field is whether recent graduates are actually getting jobs in this economy, I hope your son had a good after college job experience. Feel free to share any encouraging words on that topic!</p>
<p>It is still a very tough market for anyone in the design fields. (My s considers himself to be very fortunate; he was able to land a full time position in his field thank goodness) The job market seems to be starting to turn a bit, but it is SLOW. It is hard to predict what is going to come to pass in 5-6 years when your d will be job hunting. I would suggest for to her to keep her options open and maybe look at environmental and ecological engineering at Purdue too.</p>
<p>I would hate to dissuade anyone from pursuing what they really see themselves doing, but if she does go the LA route, I would strongly suggest that she start trying to get an intern/volunteer position in a firm setting asap. She could even start in high school just to get her foot in the door. Volunteer if she needed or part time if they don’t have anything yet. From our experience, the professional experience factor is what these companies are looking for…even with entry level jobs. Anyway, that is just my two cents. Again, best of luck to you both!</p>
<p>Thanks. I spoke to her high school architecture teacher and he also encouraged her to look at engineering technology. He did say he would help her get an architectural internship next year and she is helping him with a small landscaping project for the high school. Thanksgiving week we are going to visit Cal Poly Pomona because my cousin is a landscape architect in Pasadena and that is his alma mater. She is going to do the school tour and then meet personally with the head of LA there. It should give her a better feel for her interests. I am sure my cousin will give a good pitch for LA in California!</p>
<p>We had a good visit over Thanksgiving week to Cal Poly. Climate is great but the freeways are intense for this midwesterner! We did a general campus tour and then had a two hour tour/lunch with the head of Landscape Architecture. She was really helpful. It is the second largest LA program in country (U of Georgia is largest), CA is very far from home but my husband has a cousin in Pasadena who took us out to dinner and was very kind to my daughter. Most likely we will visit U of Georgia over spring break and Ball State in fall.</p>
<p>I have a friend going to VT for landscape architecture, she said its an amazing program and she loves the classes and the faculty! Don’t know about the other schools personally however.</p>
<p>Cal Poly Pomona is good and I would consider it a safety for your D. However, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo might be a better choice considering your D’s GPA. Cal Poly SLO is a much more competitive school to get into that the air is pristine and no gridlock on the freeways. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo was the original Cal Poly and Pomona was a satellite campus for many years until it broke off in 1966 with its own independent charter.</p>
<p>[Landscape</a> Architecture at Cal Poly - Landscape Architecture - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo](<a href=“http://www.landscape.calpoly.edu/]Landscape”>http://www.landscape.calpoly.edu/)</p>