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MIT M.Arch I

^^

Hi everyone,

So, I am considering about applying to MIT but I don't what kind of background are they looking for. Do I need a super GPA? Are they looking for a more science oriented background or is an arts oriented background ok?

Hope you MIT students and alums can share some of your experience with us.

 
Nov 27, 10 2:01 pm
modelcitizen

sorry, ^^, but the first rule of MIT architecture is that you do not talk about MIT architecture.

good luck getting any of your questions answered on this blog.

Nov 29, 10 3:03 pm  · 
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^^

it seem that you are a student/alum from there...

Nov 30, 10 12:28 am  · 
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therebyfar

Since no one's giving you any answers I'll chime in. I'm applying to MIT and visited the school, and I don't get the sense that they prefer any particular background over any other. Looking through their prerequisites, it seems like they do require a few more math/sciences courses than other programs, which maybe favors those with that background, but you also have until the second year to fulfill them.

What was your previous area of study? Just as long as you've got a coherent reason for moving from that to architecture it probably won't matter.

Nov 30, 10 1:09 am  · 
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jetvancake

They also seem to have a more internationally focused curriculum. I'm applying there too, and they have a whole bunch of studios focused on places in various parts of the world. It also looks like they've got a strong theory/criticism aspect to their program. And pretty much everything looks quite solid.

therebyfar, since you visited. What do you make of their facilities?

Nov 30, 10 11:15 am  · 
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therebyfar

I liked MIT a lot when I visited. Unlike, a lot of other schools, the department doesn't have its own building, but is located on the fourth floor of MIT's main building. Spatially, it's not very big, but the department itself isn't very big either. A lot of the crits are held right in pockets in the hallways, so I got to sit in on a few. The professors actually seemed good humored, and weren't tearing people's work apart, but it also seemed like a low-key day. I didn't get a great look at the studios since they were locked, but could peek inside. They pretty much looked like any other studio space: messy.

Nov 30, 10 1:12 pm  · 
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jetvancake

sweet. thanks. sounds like the SAIC building.

Nov 30, 10 1:53 pm  · 
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^^

I have a BA in Architectural Studies and Urbanism. I took 2 calculus courses and one semester of physics. I would still need to take another one but I don't mind it. My portfolio has a lot of historic/theory/art references and I have thought of some great points to make on my statement so I hope that helps...

Dec 1, 10 1:31 am  · 
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estudiante

^^ ,
MIT is not looking for any specific background (in terms of art v/s science), etc.
You should def. look into visiting the school, you will be able to see some portfolios of admitted students and you can get a tour of the school-you can ask headquarters to have a student be your tour-guide, sometimes they do that.
From my experience, the ratio of admitted students with non-arch to arch backgrounds has typically been 50-50, though I think it has been tipping more toward the latter lately.
PS: People are in the thick of finals right now, and you will hopefully get more responses after the finals.

Dec 1, 10 3:58 pm  · 
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