hey,

you definitely stand a chance... my understanding of OSU's program is that they appreciate diversity in portfolios (trust me, you won't be penalized for including non-arch projects). also, their program really centers around the long-term trajectory of architectural history and practice... they're more interested in mies and corbu than BIG or OMA, etc. i think your architecture history background will be an asset, not a detriment.

just make sure there is some sort of logic tying your portfolio and personal statement together... you will be fine!

I second that. I am coming into architecture from an entirely non-arch background, business and music. I had the chance to visit OSU earlier this semester and they were very accepting of diversity in their 3 year program. I sat in on the first year studio in the 3yr program and the students were from a broad range of backgrounds.

The important thing is to show your potential, investigation, and genuine interest in studying architecture and how you would be an asset to their program. Have you had a chance to visit the school or speak with any of the faculty? If not, I would definitely recommending giving them a call and getting in touch with some of the faculty. I had a hard time getting any info from the admin assistant, but the professor that is the grad coordinator was very nice and helpful.

I am applying to OSU as well, although personally I have decided its not quite at the top of my list, I did really enjoy my visit. Good luck and let me know if you want any more specifics about their program.

I went to Ohio State. In the 3+ program (is that the same as the MArchI Program?). I had no background in Architecture. My undergraduate degree was in Painting.

It's fine not to have any Architectural items in your portfolio. I didn't have anything of that nature in my portfolio. Many people in my class didn't. I did have some furniture designs I had done (none exceptionally great). Most of it was Painting and Drawing however.

Make sure that your "Personal Statement" (or whatever that part of the application requirement is) is intelligent, honest, and well written. Don't try to make up some "Architectural" things to show your interest. That's not necessary. Make sure the portfolio itself is a design project. Make it a good object. Someone's going to be holding it. Make sure they know that you know what you're doing.

I wouldn't say they're more interested in Mies and Corbusier than OMA and BIG. It's a program that gives you a good grounding in Theory. My head didn't stop spinning for about a year after I'd finished. You'll get a good understanding of how OMA and BIG are connected to Mies and Corb. But you won't realize it until near the end. The 3+ program gives you a good(ish) grounding in History the first year (which you already have). The second year you sort of engage the 20th century Modernist moment of evolution. Then the third year focuses in on contemporary work and related issues.

Jose Oubrerie is there. He worked in Corbusier's office in the 60's. When you get a chance, take a studio he offers. You can learn a great deal from him.

As I mentioned, the program is more "theroy-centric" so your ability to read, comprehend, and write will be immensely important. Your GRE scores are more than adequate. Being from an Ivy league school should put you in good stead as well. Everybody gets all gooey about the fancy schools. But OSU will know from being an Ivy-Leaguer that you know how to work hard, which is what they want.

"No physics or math" shouldn't be too much of a hurdle I don't think. The Structures courses use basic trigonometry mostly to calculate loads and the like. You'll be taught that during the class. The Systems classes are fairly straightforward mathematically. Buddy-up with one of the other folks in your class. Someone will be a whiz with the numbers. They will be your friend.

When you get accepted, make sure that you get ENSURED a teaching appointment. Your Arch History background should get you in. You can TA for one of the undergraduate Intro classes. I didn't get any such promise and I'm presently in a black hole of debt. It's obscenely expensive.

Before you get there, learn (or start learning as best you can) how to start use AutoCAD, Rhino and 3D Max. This will help you get a head start in being able to produce things. It's all about what you produce.

It was the longest and shortest 3 years of my life. I learned a great deal. By the time you graduate, perhaps the world will be a bit friendlier to the Architectural graduate. It's pretty gruesome right now.

Good luck. Best wishes.

Hey, I graduated from Brown last May too! I'm also applying for M.Arch's this year (just submitted my last app.) How'd did OSU become you first choice? It seems like most people I know who graduate from Ivies tend to shoot for other Ivies when applying to grad programs (architecture or otherwise).

OSU is my top choice because Columbus seems cool. The school manages be a great state school and huge at the same time (I want to go to a grad program that's part of a very large university... I figure there are just more options all around). Also, I spoke to some faculty members and they say they like different backgrounds, echoing what you guys said here. Also, they have an excellent landscape arch program, something that I am very interested in/applying to as well.

I'm not applying to the Ivies for a variety of reasons. I don't think my stats are good enough, and with no experience in fine arts or architecture I don't have much a shot. The most important thing, though, is that I don't think most of them are fits anyway. I realize they are amazing programs with amazing faculty and peers, but no part of me is dying to go to Harvard or Yale (still not dying to go to OSU, the idea is more exciting).

Thanks for all the support, guys! You guys are making me feel very hopeful.

That's all fair enough, but I hope you aren't selling yourself too short. Your stats seem perfectly fine. Hell, your GREs are higher than mine (tho I guess my GPA is higher 3.7). Not having a background in fine art/architecture shouldn't really hold you back. Having a coherent reason for wanting to study architecture and a clear idea as to what you want out of your education is more important, and you seem to have that.

But your second point is an important one too. If none of the other schools appeal to you then whatever, forget 'em. There are though a lot of other programs within large universities that'll give you tons of options. But you said you've been preparing your apps for a while so I trust you've done your research. Good luck with everything.