Hi, I'm a newby to Architecture, looking for ways to prepare for and apply to a 3+ year M.Arch program.  Here's a little bit of context - I graduated with an Econ B.A. from Berkeley with a 3.5  GPA (and loads of research & travel experience) in 2009, worked as an economic analyst for over a year, and decided to change my career path to Architecture. I just finished the [IN]ARCH summer arch program at Berkeley - loved it, and want to further pursue this path. I got a lot out of the program, learned some fundamentals (drawing, modeling, and digital representation) and had a great start on building my portfolio, but since my skills are still very green, I have a long skill development phase ahead of me. 

So the most basic question is - does it matter where and how this skill-building phase happens? I live in the Bay Area, and can attend UC Berkeley or SF State extension programs, one of the many art schools here (both options are unbelievably expensive), go to one of the community colleges ($26/unit, baby!), or work on the portfolio that I started in summer school independently, and try to find a job in the field (and forgo paying for classes altogether). What option would you guys advocate? Pros/cons/suggestions? Do arch schools prefer to see post-bac skill development at a university or an art school, or it doesn't matter as long as the work shown in portfolio are solid?

The other question is whether it makes sense to hurry, do my best to put together/finish a portfolio (while taking classes this fall), and apply to M.Arch this winter for Fall 2012; or enroll in arts classes for the next year or two, let my skills develop at a slower pace, and apply when I feel ready-er...? The latter option obviously pushes back my potential date of graduation, but it's not a problem if that path makes more sense (though I'm not sure that it does). Any ideas?