You have gotten your terminology all wrong. Architectural intern is someone who already completed their degree, but hasn't passed the licensing yet. Thus the $30-40k starting salary quotes. Yes, BOC calls these office placements as internships. They are, and they are not.

For the first couple of years you may not be worth anything to an architectural office. Maybe minimum wage, sadly. After a bit you should hope for an hourly rate of $10-12/hour.

BAC has an interesting thing going for itself; work in the day, school at night. I wonder how the recession is screwing with their business model.

WWM, you do realize that a large portion if architectural professionals in this country are unemployed/grossly underemployed?

What I know is hearsay, but there are some BAC people on here who can chime in too.

- The BAC interns I knew were not paid and that seems more common than not, but I do think its available if you find the right place, but think $10/hr not 30-40k a year until you have real experience.

- The BAC has required work for graduation, but because of the recession a lot of people are not able to get this requirement, and thus get stuck at a certain point in their studies. There are programs now to offset this, but at some point you have to wonder if working in some tangential field just so you can keep going on your degree is worth it when you could just go to a normal grad program.

There are some great features about the BAC but I think its a dangerous program right now. You can work part time in grad school at a normal grad program as well, you wont be -that- busy if you are good at time management (I worked part time, went to undergrad, and enjoyed a social life at the same time, it is possible). At a normal program if you don't get a job you wont be totally screwed, is what I'm saying...

Additionally: I lived in Boston for around 10-12k a year (rent + food/misc.), and I definitely didn't eat ramen, so its cheaper than you think.

Thanks for the responses. Yes I am concerned about whether or not the BAC is a viable option considering the dubiousness of the work requirement. The economy poses a lot of risks in that department. And yes rustystuds, I am aware there are many unemployed Architects right now. I'm hoping for an economy rebound between now and then. Nevertheless, I'm acquainted with a number of Architectural professionals out here on the west coast who are finding employment left and right. Not saying it's that way for the rest of the country, but it is nice to see. Architecture has been my passion since I was about 6. Different life circumstances dictated I get an undergrad in another discipline, and I don't regret that. Point is, I love Architecture, and for where I'm at age-wise, the BAC is the most tempting option. For one-- that is, assuming I can get a "job" in a firm-- the program gets me into the field in some fashion, even if it only means grabbing coffee for people, saluting the janitors, and kissing the asses of the REAL Interns. I never planned on striking it rich as an Architect. I know several Architects-- some who've been in the biz for many years. Many make a comfortable living, but it's not what people think. For all the schooling you're required to pay for, the pay is shitty, and I think Architects need to start a revolt for that. There needs to be a revolution for Architects, seriously. I dread having to pay back all my school loans on even a licensed Architect's salary let alone an Intern's. Nevertheless, having the education and someday being able to say I'm a "licensed Architect" means a lot to me. I see a lot of folks on here who've been in the business for a number of years who are burnt to a crisp, and maybe you guys should've taken a little more time in choosing your career. All the Architects I know out here in the west (a couple are principles, three are professors, one is an ex-girlfriend, and two more are fresh out of their internship) went in (at least it seems to me) because they love the discipline, and have been real encouraging to me. Yeah, there's a risk of being unemployed, but I think there's something wonderful about going to college to learn about something you're completely distracted by. For me, that's Architecture. Wish I could've studied it at the undergrad level, but some things happened to me I couldn't really do much about. Anyway, thanks again for clearing things up. I had a hunch I'd be making peanuts. And there are goods and bads about the BAC for certain. Thanks for the input! :-)

Is the San Francisco program based on the BAC model still in existence? You'd save all those moving expenses up front by going there....

LTU has an online program which may be of interest if you don't want to move.

I went through the program and I definitely got paid, granted I started out as an office boy (at a Structural engineering firm making $8/hr) making copies, transferring shop drawing notes, etc. and worked my way up to a design-drafter there...some colleagues ended up being project managers or designers by graduation because of previous experience in the field.

With the market as it is now, those students that are unable to find work in the field and/or get laid off are allowed to get practice credit via other methods such as faculty-led competitions, community work and solar decathlon type work.

If you can afford it, there is an academic-only program (AOP) for the first year where you take classes full-time, then transition to the concurrent program during your second year.

Thanks rehiggins. That's wonderful advice. Here's the thing about the economy though: It's possible that in 5 years time (when I finally graduate) that the economy could change for the better. The AOP program sounds great, but I really need to have the money coming in-- even if it's only 8 bucks an hour. I've been wondering what BAC folks get paid, considering it isn't necessarily a "real" internship, per se. Then again, with the economy the way it is, I really couldn't afford to do the alternative programs the BAC has set up. I have to be able to pay rent and other personal expenses. This is all good information. Thanks for the heads-up.