We have partnered with Study Architecture to create a three-part guide to the Architecture Graduate School Application process. On Friday we shared part one, which focused on identifying one's interests. Today, we are sharing part two, focused on researching potential schools.
When searching for a school, you want to know more than just statistics. You want to know what it will be like to study there, the culture of the place, and the details of the curriculum. With over 100 schools offering professional graduate architecture degrees, narrowing your search can be a challenge! So, how are you supposed to know which one is right for you?
As ACSA points out, finding the information you really want about an architecture school can be tough to find. Maybe you want to know about the environment you would be studying in or learn more about the teachers, or study abroad options. Here, you can find out more resources that will help guide your search.
Define what is important to you.
What’s most important to you when looking for a school? Is it cost, location, facilities resources, student opportunities, or maybe something else altogether. A great place to start is on our “Where to Study” search page. Here you can identify programs based on location, areas of study, and tuition range. If you don’t think you know yet, try our quiz. It’s a fun way to start thinking about what might be important to you as you study architecture.
Over half of the students we chatted with said that location and cost were their top two reasons for choosing their school followed by faculty, which will be covered in tomorrow's posting.
Make a Spreadsheet!
Students and recent graduates have suggested using a program like Google Sheets to set up a rigorous system where you can compare each school’s information and filter them by what is most important.
Check out our spreadsheet, save a copy for yourself and get started!.
Narrow Your Search
Once you have identified interesting programs through StudyArchitecture’s ‘Narrow Your School Search’ feature, add the ones you are interested in to your “cart.” From the “My Schools” page you can start request information directly from those schools.
Choosing a graduate school goes beyond rankings. There are many other important factors, including: the studio culture (examples: https://uwm.edu/sarup/learn/policies/studio-culture/ and http://www.northeastern.edu/camd/architecture/community/students/facilities/studio-culture/), faculty research areas, the program’s relationship to other disciplines, facilities and student opportunities, cost, funding opportunities, research opportunities, and so on. To learn about the culture of the school, visit the program websites which are linked at the top of each school page.
Visit Schools:
At the College + Career Expo
On Saturday, November 19th, 2016 from 1-5pm, prospective architecture students from all over the world can log onto StudyArchitecture.com/expo to talk to schools, get their portfolio reviewed, learn about admissions requirements and hear tips and tricks on how to select a program in one of four webinars.
On Archinect's Schools Section
Archinect offers a comprehensive list of information-rich architecture school profiles, with many including school blogs authored by current or past students, upcoming events at the school and links to articles published on Archinect about the school.
On the School’s Website
School websites are all so unique and organized in different ways. Here are some things to look for.
On Social Media
In Person
Visiting a campus gives you insight into what life would be like if you were to study there. Campus visits can make or break your decision to study somewhere. So be sure to schedule tours, talk to Faculty and students from all years, and engage them with critical questions about what they research and how they do it.
Meet faculty! The Faculty dramatically shape your graduate education and experience. They are also great resources to understand the type of research that is taking place in the school. Don’t be shy!
In the News
It’s as simple as viewing the academic news category on Archinect or googling the program name and clicking the “News” tab. There you will find what programs are doing within their communities or how their graduates are impacting the world. You can even set up a Google Alert for your favorite school to stay on the pulse of what they are doing. For particular schools you're interested in, follow the profiles on Archinect to get email alerts whenever they are in the news.
Like we mentioned, graduates are a great way to see just what kind of students a school shapes. Check out the Alumni by searching “studied architecture at ___insert school name here___”. You may be surprised by who you find.
Request information
Once you have your list, reach out. Most schools will send you a package of information if you request it online. If you want specific information, you can contact the schools directly. We have contact information on our school profile pages.
Study Architecture will also do it for you. Once you have added your preferred schools to your “My Schools” list, fill out your contact information and they will get in touch for you. It’s that simple.
Noémie Despland-Lichtert is an urban historian, curator, educator and hot-dog mapper.
No Comments
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.