<p>Let me preface this by saying that I know the DesignIntelligence Rankings are subjective. </p>
<p>I know UVA doesn't rank highly on the DI charts for undergraduate, but that is because it is not a B.Arch, correct? Are its rankings in other areas (Graduate, Landscape, Sustainable) indicative of the quality of the school?</p>
<p>Pita, my understanding is that UVA’s graduate programs in architecture are some of the best in the country, which its selectivity seems to confirm. As explained in the other thread DI rankings, because of the way votes are gathered, are not always the best indicators. The Boston firm that my son works for which draws heavily from MIT and the Ivy League, also thinks highly of Virginia.</p>
<p>UVA overall is an excellent university, but I’m not familar with the undergraduate architecture programs. The prestige of the graduate programs may or may not extend to the undergraduate BA/BS programs.</p>
<p>pita, momrath is right on with the reputation of UVA’s grad rep in arch (and much more). I don’t think the undergrad program has as strong of reputation, but that may be because it isn’t a 5 yr program and its graduates must go onto grad school. I posted this reply to another student a little while back with some more info that we found when our s was looking. Hope it helps some:</p>
<p>"suleyman, I don’t know much about PSU or CMU but maybe I can help with a little bit of info on UVA. It offers a 4 yr. B.S. in Arch. Their program tries to balance a broad liberal arts education with the rigors of studio work. They are undergoing a multi-step renovation of Campbell Hall to improve their facilities (had to fight a bit with the Board of Visitors about the design of the building- the designers are actually members of the UVA arch faculty, which I think is great).</p>
<p>The dean of the School of Architecture, Karen Van Legen, is leaving her post in 2009. If you don’t want to go the 5 year BARCH route, UVA is worth checking into. My s looked at the arch program there, but felt neither the school nor the arch program was what he was looking for. UVA’s B.S. in Arch didn’t offer (for him) enough undergrad studio time because of all the emphasis on the liberal arts, but all depends on what you want. Hope this helps and good luck to you!"</p>
<p>And good luck to you, too, pita22!</p>
<p>UVA has an outstanding undergraduate program, it is not rated by DI because it is not a professional program. Among the best graduate programs in the Ivy League, Virginia places a large number of its undergraduates. Among the architecture schools that my D was accepted to for architecture UVA was her first choice, above both Rice and Cornell. Lately they have emphasized sustainability and have won several national design competitions in this area. I don’t know who the new Dean will be, but Karen did a good job of maintaining the quality of the program. Charlottesvile is also a wonderful place to go to school.</p>
<p>rick</p>