Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)
Pratt Institute
Tulane University
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Temple University
University of Oregon
Cranbrook Academy of Art
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
March portfolio and BA vs March
What are my options as a student wishing to pursue architecture as a profession and in my specific situation with my history of coursework?
I have a Bachelor degree in a Modern Foreign Lanjuages and I’m currently in a post-graduate program with the same area of study. I have one year remaining.
How can I make the most of the year I have left in my current program? As far as taking courses that be advantageous when applying for a March? What is your advice to someone like me?
Finally, what is the likelihood of being accepted to March programs at schools like USC or Columbia, with no background in architecture?
Please, I am just beginning to switch pathways and I really need some input from people with experience.
Thanks
also some portfolio tips?
How about woodworking, photography, music production, video editing? Could these be included in a portfolio?
Why the switch? Do you know anything about architecture and how it is practiced?
Use the search function in the forums and you'll find plenty of portfolio examples. Your portfolio needs to start by demonstrating you understand the very basics: Scale, shape, light, materials, etc. The medium is you choice however, visual arts hold the most value as those are the tools most commonly used.
Why? I think it’s obvious. I want to pursue architecture as a career. I don’t want to pursue a career with my current degree.
I think it's key question since you're looking at a shit-tonne more school and debt if you don't know what we do on a day to day basis. More importantly, most people take years to assemble portfolios.
A lot of people say they want to pursue architecture, but what they generally mean is they want to make pretty pictures on the computer and never work for a real client who pays in real money where they have to consider codes, laws, permitting, etc. The perception is generally off from reality for most people. I can't tell you have many disappointed interns/young staff there are who just want to make models all day just like school, but can't do a code review to save their lives. That's why the question comes up.
It’s really better to not include any attempts at architecture at this point, the admissions people want to see your potential as architectural student, not an ill informed interpretation of architecture prior to any education on the topic.
The question of applications with a non arch background has been asked many times on this forum. Yes it can be done, the M.Arch is specifically designed for someone in your situation, and plenty of people go that route and are very successful.
My "takes years to assemble" comment refers to the normal accumulation of creative work one does as a hobby/passion, not specifically taking years to do work only for a M.arch application.
honestly, I thought I was being helpful. Point taken.
I am aware of what the job entails and what a day-to-day might look like. This has already been considered.
I’m not sure whether you were referring to a Barch + March pathway when you said ‘it’s a key question since you’re looking at a shit-tonne more school,’ or just one of those. It may not have been clear in my post but I intend to pursue a 3-4 March program OR a three year Bachelors in Germany. Not both. This would mean about 3-4 years of school which, to me, is not actually near a ‘shit-tonne.’ It’s a practical amount considering
Thanks for the portfolio tips !
I’m looking for practical advice for someone starting on the path to a career in architecture, not a psychological analysis of why I’m choosing to change careers. But I see your concern.
It appears I failed to see your earlier 28years-old post which clears a few things up.
I can't speak to how successful you'll be at USC or afterwards, but I was in a similar situation a little less than a year ago. After taking a semester of classes in architecture & art at a local community college, I had the references & pieces needed to apply to MArch programs in December/January. My background is in Music Ed but I made it into 3 out of the 4 MArch programs I applied to, one of which was USC where I'll be starting in the fall.
Also, if you'd like more about how to work up a portfolio see the earlier thread titled "How To: MArch application portfolio with no arch background".
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