<p>Hello everyone, I was accepted into the University of Virginia and University of Cincinnati for B.S.Arch. Cincinnati's co-op program really attracts me because it requires you to complete 3 semesters of co-op during your 4 years. If I were to go to the University of Virginia, I would have to search independently for co-ops and it would probably be competitive. Both of them have pretty much the same rankings in architecture (UC is slightly better), but UVa has much better rankings overall and is prestigious. My goal is to go to an Ivy League or a top school for M.Arch. Which university would increase my chances more of getting into an Ivy league or a top school for M.Arch? Does having more co-op experience make a difference? Any help will be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptances! Two really good programs but different in their arch education approach. I may have people disagree with what I am about to say, but I really feel that right now, with this economic climate, and especially in the design fields, school coordinated/guaranteed co-ops and internships are more important than the name of the school. </p>
<p>As you are award, UC is very highly respected in the design disciplines. UVA is a great program, too, but having the inroads to working in your field so early as an undergrad and not having to compete with so many other students for architecture internships (many of which are very low paying or for the experience only) would seal the deal for me. As you said, you would be on your own searching out internships and co-ops, and speaking from experience with my arch s, that in itself is an incredibly time-consuming and often times frustrating process. Internship possibilities are starting to open up a bit as compared to the last couple of years, but they are still scarce and very competitive. You will be competing against two groups: 4th yrs, 5th yrs, and grad students AND sometimes entry level architects that lost their jobs in the recession and are taking internships to try to get their feet back in the door. </p>
<p>I love my Virginia schools, but for your career intentions and the opportunity you have, I would head to Ohio. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>First of all , which is your state school, if either? If you were going to look for work right after school, the internships may be all the more valuable, depending on the placement percentages they are getting, but since you are going for a masters afterwards, it might be a better idea to go to your less expensive choice whichever one it is.</p>
<p>Let me start by saying that I went to Jr. High and HS in Cincinnati, and my wife is a UVA grad in architecture. The co-op program at UC is a nice feature in this economy, but I would not let it become the overwhelming factor in my choice of school. There are two factors which would sway me towards UVA;</p>
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<li>If you want to go to an Ivy League graduate school I think you will find a better reception with a UVA degree. Ivy League graduate schools are full of UVA grads. It may just be the ambition and orientation of the students that causes this, but they are very successful at getting in.</li>
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<p>-Can you really spend 15 minutes at both campuses and not choose UVA 
The lawn and Rotunda at UVA are architectural masterpieces, and have served as a source of inspiration for generations of architecture students. It is a spectacular place to go to school with a strong reputation and a great alumni network.</p>
<p>The only thing that would change my mind is if there was a significant additional cost and debt to attend UVA. Otherwise the choice would be easy for me.</p>
<p>rick</p>
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<p>Take the 15 min instead and walk over from the UC DAAP building to the Cincinnati Zoo 
Very relaxing :)</p>
<p>My son seriously considered both schools when he was choosing an M.Arch program, although he ultimately ended up elsewhere. Of the two he preferred the environment of Virginia and felt that Virginia had higher name recognition among east coast architects.</p>
<p>Top M.Arch programs – Ivy League and otherwise – admit a diverse class and both Virginia and Cincinnati are well represented. Cincinnati’s co-op program provides excellent real life work experience, but if you’re aggressive you should be able to pick up summer jobs and internships while at VA as well.</p>