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School selection

eps

Well, this post may seem a bit naive but I have good reason for doing it. I just stumbled upon this excellent outlet for architects and am desperatly seeking advice. I have gained acceptance into two schools of Architecture, having only applied to those few as I did not give it enough attention. To move things along, I cannot decide which school would be the better program. One, Miami University (Ohio), is your basic 4+2 or 3 and had much more indepth recruitment standards. A portfolio and personal interview were part of the deal before acceptance. The other college, a 5 year Masters of architecture program (University of Detroit Mercy) is the other. They have offered me a rather nice chunk of money and are an instate school.
Why this is such a debate is due to personal impressions and of course the dreaded cost. Miami is a fortune but is a much cleaner atmosphere where as Detroit Mercy is a bit rougher obviously, and the actual building doesnt quite live up to Miami's in the least.
Anyways, the real question is which school would be the best regardless of personal impressions, reflecting more on the issue of having a career when one comes out of the school (considering i stay at miami for their masters program and not tansfer to a more prestigious university.)

+++More details if you care to indulge a bit more and help out even further+++

Miami was the school I spent the summer at obtaining 6 credits with a measily 2 classes in the field to gather a glimpse of the campus life there. The architecture facility is stunning, but I know structures of the school are not really whats important, its the education one leaves with.

The portfolio and personalized interview were definitely a bit more reassuring about the campus as it has a sense of what type of student is arriving. Miami also has some nice summer programs, including a trip to the common country of Italy (most schools I believe head there) and Japan, each is 6 weeks long and offers just a fraction of a semesters credits.

Mercy on the other hand is open admission, solely based on time of application and your High School GPA. This creates some fear. Mercy obviously is a bit more techinical based than the abstract Miami focus. They, if I am not mistaken, partake in a bit more animation and graphical studies, thus creating potential for a career in ohh.. say dreamworks studios, pixar animation, and activision. Mercy has a co-op which is required 3rd year for one full semester (which i believe is a big deal). They also offer an exchange program (currently Poland but more likely Argentina or China when I arrive) where one goes for all 17 credits abroad. They also offer the Italy trip but for a solid 4 months over the summer, not the measly six weeks approach.

Anyways, if anyone has some insight and bothered to read my post, PLEASE RESPOND. I need all the help I can get! I am completely perplexed. Thanks a ton.

 
Dec 21, 04 10:07 pm
newstreamlinedmodel

Measly? Who still says Measly? Measles have been cured for years nobody relates to that any more. Poxy is better. We’ve all had chicken pox and you can affect a cockney accent when you say it.

If the two school compare on basic stats just go visit and pick the one with the more attractive representatives of your preferred gender.

Serious. It’s a long time to spend in a big room with the same people.

Dec 21, 04 11:15 pm  · 
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eps

thx for the advice :D

Dec 22, 04 1:41 pm  · 
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eps

actually, it dawned on me, if you check back at this, perhaps you have more insight. Neither school will be able to provide me with the general appearance of the representatives of the opposite sex. Sure, Miami probably has the overall "better looking" people, but whats to say I don't get unlucky and land a mirror shattering group in my studio at ethier school? :X Thats a toughy!

Dec 22, 04 1:48 pm  · 
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Litre1

The experience I have had tells me that the average firm is not stuck on one school over another. That being said, of course the elite schools look better on a resume. But unless you are looking to join an elitist firm, I don't think it will matter as far as how you are perceived in the job world. Most employers know that you will have a limited knowledge of construction when you graduate no matter where you get your degree. I was told that what you learn in school is about 10% of what you need to become an architect. I'd say that's about right. You never stop learning in this industry and if you stop growing so does your salary... The National Architecture Accreditation Board sets the minimal standards for accredited schools, and those standards ensure that any architecture program that is recognized by the NAAB is a worthy program. Check to see that the schools are both accredited and choose based on personal preferences. That's my opinion on it.

Dec 22, 04 1:54 pm  · 
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eps

Both indeed are. thx.

Dec 22, 04 2:36 pm  · 
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edmund.l.liang

UofD offers an accredited MArch.

I went to UofDMercy. What can I say about UofD? I went there for a 5yr. BArch. Credit hours per semester averaged at 15 for me, which was fairly heavy. The university campus is pretty boring, and it's in Detroit - so there's not much to do besides party/work in studio with your colleagues. Depending on the economy co-op is not gauranteed. My suggestion, if you decide to go there, plan to go there for an unaccredited 4yr B.S. in Arch, not a 5yr. MArch. Classes will be the same for the 4 years. If you decide to stay at Detroit, take the extra yr and get your masters there. However, in your 4th year (if you decide to stick with Arch) apply to other universities/acadamies for a grad school degree. This will allow more perspectives of your study of architecture, not just one from UofD.

I strongly suggest that you go to www.naab.org - and really read the process of licensing and accredidation of architecture schools.

feel free to email me if you want.

Dec 22, 04 11:34 pm  · 
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edmund.l.liang

did i mention that UofD has the largest nursing school in the nation?

Dec 22, 04 11:36 pm  · 
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ksArcher

It all depends on what your outlook is for yourself. One major factor which you may have not considered is the "style" or preference of each school when it comes to teaching architecture. From what I've seen of Miami (I nearly went there), the focus is a somewhat abstract, theoretical one with elements of green design, and historical preservation. The program is highly regarded by many, though some seem to think it lacks in some departments. As far as I know they still do a studio in Over the Rhine, Cincinatti which focuses on Renovation of historic urban structures, which is neat.

I also considered UofDM due to its co-op program and high ranking according to different sources of architecture schools. If the cost difference is gigantic- I would recommend strongly considering Detroit Mercy. I don't know much about the curriculum or facilities there.

Remember, the two campuses are vastly different and filled with different types of students. One of the biggest reasons I decided not to go to Miami of Ohio was because I wanted a more urban, diverse environment to live in for the next 4+ years of my life. The students there were too preppy and narrow (overall, not all of them by any means), from my impression. However, later visits showed more promise, though the isolated feeling remains.

Bottom line: do what you feel is best for you. Everything must be considered and in the end, with a little luck you will feel assured in your decision. Accredited architecture schools are all very qualified- in the end its up to you.

J

Dec 28, 04 2:16 pm  · 
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eps

thx J, that was extremely helpful. You don't know what impact that had. I am now confident with my decision, I just need to verify a few things and spend a bit of time on the campus of my choosing.

Dec 30, 04 12:10 am  · 
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THREADS

I took a look around Miami Ohio's web site a few weeks ago (interesting site) but I'm not really impressed with their architecture program....(but who am I to say...really)
of course the college is great so it's sort of tricky.

I agree with Dozer and would go for the B.S. degree and then take a look at your options in four years....either complete Mercy with a Masters or move on to a stronger program. Mercy has the interesting component of Detroit city which could be a really exciting place to study Architecture and the failed "Midwest Dream"....they also have some public works program which also seems interesting....and their student work looks very strong.
(http://architecture.udmercy.edu/studio.htm)

oh well, good luck, tough choice!


Why don't you look at U of M?

Dec 30, 04 11:10 am  · 
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THREADS

and if you want to study in Ohio take a look at OSU.

Dec 30, 04 11:13 am  · 
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eps

I chose not to consider U of M in part because of the overall size of the campus. Also, taking into consideration that I would not be able to even start Architecture until my 3rd year really put them in a sore placing. The Masters program I'm sure would be excellent, but to compete in basic undergrad for a few select spots my junior year of college with the potential of a denial in placement just didn't feel right. Also, I am a white male, thus my credentials while borderline, would most likely have landed me outside of their scope. My sister, whom had more going for her at the time and far superior marks than I still found herself neglected. I figured I did not care to bother :D

Too big, risky acceptance into architecture, and 3rd year beginning where I want too... not a solid fit. However, it does have potential as a masters program for myself.

Dec 31, 04 10:32 pm  · 
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eps

and Ohio doesn't exactly strike me as a strong place to live/study, it just had a school of architecture that I was connceted with through my sister whom went to Miami for literature and a few friends who currently attend. I spent the summer at Miami in the Junior Scholars progam, 4.0'ed both my classes there and did enjoy myself. But I had a very narrow scope of the college perspective over the six weeks. Through what others have disclosed and through word of mouth I have learned that it is a rather cut-throat place to make friends and really have a good experience.

Dec 31, 04 10:36 pm  · 
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