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What should I expect from Yarch program at UIC?
Hello all,
I have made the decision to pursue an M.Arch, I found out about the Yarch program at UIC from this website/form. I do not have any architecture experience. I am currently a photographer with a B.A in African America Studies from KU.
After applying I was accepted into the program which starts this July 2024 (next month). I have a few questions; Is it worth it overall? If you've attended what was your experience ? The program is one month in Chicago is $3k enough for living expenses for the month? I am considering staying on campus and bring my car (traveling from Kansas) any thoughts on this? Any advice anyone has I would love to hear it.
My personal goal for attending this program is to become familiar with architectural software like Rino, gain studio experience and use this experience to build a portfolio for when I apply to M.arch programs this fall.
I’m also attending YArch this year too, I’m really excited to learn all about the architecture history of Chicago! Attending all the way from Mexico!
I did YArch and found it helpful as someone who took a few studio classes in an unrelated undergrad degree. "Worth it" is a personal choice, whether that month is better used doing something else can only be decided by you but I certainly didn't feel like it was a waste of time. You get a good introduction to Rhino and Illustrator workflows as well as the experience of a design project from start to finish, albeit on a very compressed timeline. There are some aspects of the pedagogy I wasn't a fan of and overall a very formal approach to design, but for some people that can be a good thing. I would definitely recommend the program to people making the switch to architecture grad school from a different field. You will also get a portfolio-ready project out of it which is nice. In my experience the instructors were great and all my classmates were super friendly, you can definitely have a good time too. 3k should be enough for a month in Chicago provided your rent is reasonable.
I personally dont know anyone who uses Rhino professionally or any firms that use that software.
Many firms use Rhino on a daily basis, and many don't. What matters is that once you learn Rhino (or any modeling software) the others become much easier.
YArch's a solid intro program and UIC is well tapped in to the Chicago- and beyond- architecture scene. I hate to say "network," but if you go to a couple of events and start some friendships during that month you'll learn a lot about what's possible in the field in addition to the course work.
You'll be comfortable in Chicago with $3,000. You should be able to find a sublet for $1,000 or less.
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