He’s thinking either university of illinois at Chicago or temple university…doesn’t know which architecture program is better of the two
Is he a junior thinking about colleges or a senior admitted to colleges?
(Message above makes it sound like he’s a junior thinking about colleges)
If the latter what are his other choices and for what costs?
He is transferring into the architectural program at a university. So he will be considered a freshman and he has lots of course credits that will transfer over. He wishes to go to university of Michigan but there will be $50,000 debt approximately. So is a university of Michigan worth the debt? He is an international student so he doesn’t qualify for fin aid or loans. His dad and I would have to take out the loan. We are very hesitant doung that. He has promised that he will be the one paying off the loan. He has been accepted to Temple university, university of illinois Chicago, Lawrence Tech, Andrews University, Roger Williams, and he’s waiting to hear from University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
@kayekho, before you assign value to any of these programs you need to think through his ultimate goal. All of these schools (as far as I’m aware) offer the BS, not the BArch. Some also have an MArch program in their architecture programs, but admissions may or may not be guaranteed. Again, if your son intends to practice architecture in the US or Canada he would most likely need to get an MArch. So, the question is: what would it cost to get an MArch?
If the cost of a BS PLUS an MArch at UMich is $50,000, then I could make an argument that it’s worth it. (Of course, it’s not my money!) But if it’s for a BS only, then no, too much debt when he’d have to assume even more for graduate school.
I don’t know enough about the architecture programs at Temple or UIC to advise you. Substantial funding for a BS is not something to walk away from; however, unless the schools’ packages also include funding for the MArch, he still has to cover that expense. He might ask both schools where their BS graduates have gone for their MArchs.
Another plan would be to reapply next year to BArch programs, or 5.0 year undergraduate MArch programs. I can give you a list of schools if it would be helpful. Some will allow Spring transfers.
Or he could get his bachelor degree at his current college and try for an MArch at a US University.
You don’t need an undergraduate degree in architecture to get into a good MArch program as long as you cover the prerequisites (generally some art, art history, physics, calculus) and have a good portfolio. The portfolio is highly weighted in admissions.
Some funding is available for MArch students but you can’t count on it.
I assume he’s pursued options at Canadian architecture schools? I’m not familiar with undergraduate architecture options in Canada, but there are some good MArch programs.