10?! Getting recommendations must've been fun.

What other schools are you waiting to hear from?

Kelly,

Don't go to design school expecting a job at the end of your matriculation.

The good ole US of A is overbuilt with not only residential, but commercial as well.

The employment outlook for architects is not going to get better extending into the next ten years.

For all the graduates we have now, only about one in ten will gain employment for the next five years.

Thats a lot of human waste just waiting tables.....

One in ten? Ouch

"Please help me choose my grad. school"
No.

ok ok just kidding

Ohio State University - Run Away
U. Minnesota - heard some good things
U. Oregon - Run Away
University of Arizona - Run Away
University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee - heard some good things

Over all these are all very theoretical programs, so if thats what you are into, good luck.

Don't knock waiting tables.

It took me three years full-time at a firm before I finally earned what I'd been pulling down part-time at a swanky restaurant.

Of course, Maud's point is correct that you don't need a master's to sling twelve-dollar martinis and haute cuisine.

Hey guys, I'm not too worried about finding a job because I have some good connections with large firms in the city through family friends. Also, just because construction has slowed down in this country, it's skyrocketing elsewhere like China. Firms that are international are still pretty successful. If you look at large international firms like Kohn + Pederson + Fox or Perkins and Wills, they are constantly hiring. I've put a lot of thought before deciding to go into architecture. I've visited firms which were more than happy to assign an architect to give me hour long tours of their facilities and to meet their interns and partners. But, I do want to get into the best program on my list. This is why I would like the options of people who have relevant knowledge.

To Mr. Minimal: Yeah, I was pretty lucky. I've worked in labs with a few professors as a researcher so I got to know them pretty well so they were more than happy to write me recommendations to send me on my way. I still have to got thank them and tell them that I got into grad school.

Plus, don't give up hope just because of the economy. This is a golden opportunity for architecture even if it doesn't seem that way. Our population is still constantly growing even though resources are dwindling. This means that new forms of construction need to be heralded to meet these demands. This is an opportunity for vision. I'm optimistic.

Also, I'm Chinese and speak Chinese. Probably have good prospects finding work with a firm there especially if I have a masters from a good American university.

Mr. Minimal--forgot to answer the last part of your question.

In order:

Ohio State University
U. Minnesota
U. Oregon
U. Wisconsin
U. Arizona
U. Florida
U. Kansas
SUNY Buffalo
Iowa State University
U. Louisiana at Lafayette

I would probably want to get a dual degree in Architecture and Urban Planning. A lot of the advisers I've spoken to have made that suggestion.

don't listen to creativity expert

osu and univ. oregon are both excellent programs with specific emphases

I am wondered that if you know someone in a respectable position in a renowned firm why you don't ask their opinions about graduates from each school that you applied for.

I think most of people in this forum are young people who have limited experience and think that only what they have been through are everything.

If you know an experienced architect in a renowned firm, intimate discussion with him would be more helpful to decide the school.

Good point citizen, but don't forget to factor in benefits. Sadly waiting tables is still probably the smarter choice financially when you take into account student debt and the current economy :(

yeah syp, I have to wait for an appointment. This is a faster way to find out.

I got my 4 yr bachelors arch degree from UW-Milwaukee and was, in general, mostly pleased with the quality of the school. They do have a dual degree M.Arch/M.UP which is why you applied there, I would assume. I haven't gone to any other arch schools so I'm trying to figure out how to make a comparison. If you have any specific questions I can try my best to answer them.

I'll say this, overall I found the professors to be qualified, knowledgeable, and approachable. My fellow students were friendly and generally quite willing to share whatever knowledge they had with others, studios really didn't have a cut-throat, ultra-competitive atmosphere that some schools may have. The facilities are pretty good, the building was built in 1993 I believe so it's pretty up to date. Each studio desk has it's own desktop. Two computer labs, workshop, laser cutter, 3D printer/rapid prototyper, school store. Guest lectures every Friday after studios. A fairly active AIAS chapter. Tea & Bikkies (aka cookies, our dean is from England) every Friday before studios. Professor Ollswang will bring in his banjo and play for you during the acoustics section of Arch 303. Ample supplies of beer. Surrounded by a diverse and quite interesting community in Wisconsin's largest city.

Some downsides, it's colder than Arizona & Louisiana, it's the only architecture school in the state, so if you plan to stay in the city after graduation you'll certainly have competition, and there is one professor there that couldn't teach his way out of paper bag.

All I can think of for now...feel free to ask any questions you want.

Did not know Iowa State and ULL had architecture programs...

U Minnesota. Many grad school students have told me that the grad school has some of the best professors they have ever met in their lives.

I'm a U.Kansas grad, 5+ year M.Arch. There are some really impressive programs that this school has to offer, namely internship placement in China and Paris (Jean Nouvel among them)... this goes through Professor Lesnikowski. Also, Studio 804 is an incredible experience... this goes through Professor Rockhill. There are also strong healthcare associations, if you are interested in that, and a central focus on sustainability and urban agriculture. The studios are spacious and conducive to work. If you enroll, be sure to take advantage of the visual arts course offerings... there is a very strong culture of making in the Art + Design building. Lawrence is GREAT... i live in nyc now and i sorely miss the nightlife there. 8th street taproom and the replay lounge are simply extraordinary. hope this helps!

Thanks for the great responses! @pzuro, I heard that U.Kansas is pretty good. One of the large firms in SF that I visited had a lot of interns from U. Kansas and they only had great things to say about it.

Right now, here is what I'm looking for when considering a school:
1)Top tier program of course (i.e. ranked in the top 30 by Design Intelligence)
2) A good mix of architectural theory as well as construction emphasis
3) Sustainability emphasis
4) Good price---in terms of this area, I'm leaning towards U. Minnesota because the tuition is cheap and it's the same price for instate/out of state.
5) Ideal location that's close to a city so I can get internships, etc.


So far, I'm leaning towards U. Minnesota as my first choice and OSU as my second. I've been hounding their admissions office for the last couple of days. Hoping to hear back from them next week. Fingers crossed!!!

If you speak and read either Mandarin or Cantonese you'll certainly find a job. It's about the best qualification an architect can have right now.

Go to U.Oregon and work like a dog for your first year. Then, secretly apply to the top schools in the U.S. using your studio work and transfer. I know someone who did that and got into Yale.

If you were looking work in China and do not necessarily need the MArch, and you were looking to combine architecture and urban planning, you might save yourself a lot of time by studying Urban Design, which typically combines element of architecture and planning. I would recommend finding a school that has urban planning courses that you could take as electives.

Damn, I wish I spoke Mandarin...