megatim,
what is your reason for transferring to the AA?
in addition, factor in the cost of living in London. it is not cheap.

hi leeben,

I've recently been taught by an instructor who studied at the Bartlett, she was doing her Masters at Berkeley at the time. She told me that Berkeley doesn't really have a coherent image on what the school wants to be, lots of internal conflicts.

The undergrad program also seems a bit lacking to me. Most of the students aren't all that dedicated to architecture, they tend to not pursue architecture after. I also don't feel like I'm getting a lot from the school. There isn't a strong emphasis on studio, the school kinda wants you to learn a lot of other stuff that is not related to the field of architecture at all. I feel that this also dilutes the program.

I also really like AA's work. There's a stellar combination between architectural and artistic work. Berkeley completes neglects drawn, artistic work, and seems to rely completely on computer work. I know that AA is also strong on computer work, but at least there is a clear artistic direction.

there are couple of things you should be considering;
first of all where do you want to carry on your works, in the usa or in the europe? if it is in the usa than you should be planning how you are going to be a validated architect in the usa if you study at the AA. I guess you should finish part1 and part2 (which is 5 years in total) for being validated in the USA, and if you want to be also validated in the UK than add another 3 years to it. Also, keep the education time in mind while estimating your total expenditure for the education and yes London is very very expensive.

however, when it comes to the education;
since you already studied at the berkeley for 2 years it would be very beneficial for you to experience another education model in another part of the world. completing you undergrad education in 2 schools teaches you much more than completing it in 1 school. And I also think a more conventional education at the Berkeley and more avantgard education at the AA would be a great combination.

That's why, if your conditions would allow you, go to the AA without a doubt.

i assume you are in undergrad (dip equivalent at the AA). i may be mistaken but i thought Berkley is only a BS in Arch not a 5 year BArch. correct? if this is the case and you are seeking a program based on a path to an RA, it may not be the best place. if you can transfer into the intermediate or diploma school at the AA and want to stay in the UK (get RIBA) / Europe it could be a good move. if you want to be in the states, maybe another BArch program could be best if you dont want grad school. my last point (and this is coming from a master's student at the AA educated in the states who has little knowledge of what is going on at Berkley these days) is that the diploma school is the heart of the AA and the work is pretty amazing.

see where the AA lets you in. if it is right into the 2 year diploma school thats very different than 4 years or 5 years from the foundation or intermediate.

good luck.

Go to the AA - they will put you in 2nd year of the BA then you will do the AAdip
- it's worth it -

As a past student of the AA, I would say its completely worth going to the AA. Yes, it is cheaper than Berkeley, you are not wrong. I was surprised to.
Also, London is not that expensive if you carefully plan the whole thing and are careful with money. (I really thought London was cheaper than a year in New York for example).

Most importantly, AA's education model is worth experiencing. I totally agree with pigeon, the diploma school is excellent and the work is thought provoking and intense. Also, what I really enjoyed about diploma school's work at the AA was that it was not at all 'smooth' repetitive renderings again and again, nor was it all variations of the same theme or reflections of an attitude which the school wishes to project.

So, all in all, I think its well worth the move.

hey megatim,

i too went to berkeley for undergrad and got my ba in architecture in 2009. it is wise for you to consider your options and think about the future.

for me, even though berkeley's undergrad program may not have placed the HUGEST emphasis on studio, though 100A, 100B, and 101 are very intense studios (if you want to do well), the general education at UC Berkeley is frickin' priceless. don't forget that you are at a top ranked institution of the world, think berkeley is nuber 4 right now according to "times higher education", surrounded by brilliant people (though there are always exceptions).

remember, you can take 101 more than once and if you take initiative and talk to graduate school professors, you can actually experience some of the graduate level side of things (berkeley's m. arch program is also very prestigious).

berkeley will bring you to the outskirts of your imaginings, if you can value an absolutely fantastic general education. for me, learning about everything else is what will ultimately make me a better, more conscious architect.

i know berkeley can be tough when you feel like just a number, but if you can talk to the right people and take other interesting classes in other departments, you may not regret going to berkeley so much.