I don't know that your chances will improve by simply taking one of the programs and signing a check. Although you might create some work to put in a portfolio when applying...
Search past threads for the summer programs and you will find other people's opinions on the subject.
You should learn AutoCAD, basic 3D modeling, photoshop as a minimum before grad school. So take any program that teaches them before you start school or else you will fall behind fast.

Out of curiosity, why are you switching to Architecture? I'm always weary of economists in this field. People tend to go into economics because they are money driven. If so, then you will be disillusioned with Architecture very quickly.
(I'm also weary of people coming from any other disciplines... ) If you aren't 100% committed and willing to take the pain, the sleepless nights, the low income, the slave like culture... and have experienced life in another field, then I don't foresee a long future.
But good luck, lol...

I totally agree with the above poster.

By the way, I was looking through one of the school blogs that is on this site and one student also had a non-arch background. Economics too I presume.

http://www.archinect.com/schoolblog/blog.php?id=C0_470_39

You could look browse through that and see how that blogger took this journey. Maybe there are other bloggers out there who took the same route as yours.

You won't have much of a problem getting into M.Arch I programs because of your background. I came from a math major/comp sci minor back ground, although with some work experience in architecture, and didn't have too much trouble getting into most programs I applied to, with a worse GPA from a presumably worse school than you. I wouldn't sweat it.

Getting into a top Ivy is still going to be a difficult venture as it is for anyone from any background. But with a 3.3 Major, 3.0 overall GPA, I was admitted to sci-arc, UT Austin, and UPenn, denied from Berkeley and UCLA (I think being from California didn't help those two).

Your background doesn't matter as long as you are able to convince with a portfolio & personal statements.

What does your math/economics background tell you about spending six figures, (either student debt or your savings) to get into a field where you will likely work unpaid OT bringing your already low wages down to a ridiculous level for someone with a masters degree? That is if you are one of the lucky 50% to actually find work.

I understand the attraction to architecture and we all hope things improve. Matt_A pointed out that the average time to licensure is about 10 years after graduation not 3.

Thank you all for the comments.

To provide a little more context (and to respond to dblock), being an academic economist is also not a particularly lucrative career after taking into account the investment. For example, it takes 5-6 years to get a phd, and then if you are lucky enough to find an academic position, you are looking at 50-60k at a liberal arts college (maybe up to 80k if you're really lucky), but this is hardly commensurate with the amoutn of time you've spent earning a phd. I understand that I would be making even less after an m.arch, but the money is obviously not the main concern. I want to try something that I think I would be passionate about. If I just wanted money, I would get an MBA in 2 years and come out making 120K+.

So, I appreciate all of the warning about investment in m.arch vs. job-outlook (but a lot of the same concerns apply for phd holding economists, re: long hours, low pay, etc.), so I was hoping for more advice on the best way to prepare for m.arch programs given that I don't have a lot of background. Are these summer "career discovery" type courses worth the money and the time? Would just regular summer school courses be more beneficial?

go find an old copy of that Cooper Union book that was out back in the early 90's and do some projects related to the fundamental core projects. post them here and we'll give you constructive feedback. or just go to some archi school websites and see what the core studios are doing. putting together a foundation of design/drawing/ sculptural -esque work should be enough.

vado

In my case just assembling those things was not enough the first time around.

Correct me if I am wrong, but my impression is that the critical component for a non background is to be able to communicate the entire creative process- from inspiration to creation- rather than just showing the end result sans context.

I'm jumping on the same boat as dblock at jbushkey on this one.

One the money side, the bachelor degree you have should suit you fine if you were to go use that degree. I have friends with "just" a bachelor in economics who went to make 130-150k after 5-6 years out of school - so no point in even going to get an MBA. They were both good "real world" problem solvers and went into consulting.

Why architecture? Why now of all times?

You are good at math - your undergrad degree is practical. An MArch? Go to some websites, find a few curriculum at these schools, read a few theory books and get back to us. My bet is you would better apply yourself to planning school.

Again, you are good at math. Think twice. You will be going to MArch programs with a bunch of kids on here who can't decide between a free ride to a top tier arch school vs 150-200k debt from an ivy league school.

I'm jumping off my boat after mathguy provided some details. lol. I support your decision then as long as you are not blindsided by the reality of the profession vs. the perception in the public. It seems like you are more driven by an academic pursuit of knowledge in which case this can be a good career path for you.
My initial skepticism was due to a bias for people with an econ background who tend to be interested in economic goals rather than personal enrichment. I would also try to work in an office if you can even briefly as a gopher to understand how they work and to decide if you really like the field.

I would definitely try to enroll in one of those summer sessions to get studio experience. It can be very worthwile to understand the studio mentality and deadlines, proper visualization and composition techniques. In addition, as I mentioned before, I would try to either take courses or quickly learn the following programs on your own: AutoCAD, Sketchup, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, (Revit/Rhino if time). By learning the programs before you show up at school, that's more time you can spend on design/documentation and less on frantically trying to figure it how to represent your design...

non arch masters students don't need to know autocad or revit or sketchup coming in. the powers that be want to see some kind of potential as a designer ie conceptual thinking, process etc. they don't want to see your shitty floor plans of your dream house. unless, of course, every room is a foyer.

You'd better have all that software knowledge coming out, though. Cheap, inexpensive labor is all the market is going to be looking for for a while.

I'm working in academia right now and I would Definitely suggest learning the programs before school starts or you will start off behind your peers...
If you already know the software, you can spend more time designing and less try figuring out the tools. I can't emphasize this enough. I see some students treading water right off the starting line because most schools don't teach those skills until they get deeper into the curriculum..

well i am referring to a non arch masters program which assumes that the students are coming from other disciplines. what you should be doing is drawing with a stick.