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B.Arch programs

lemant

Hey everyone! I'm currently in the college application process and I've narrowed my list of schools. I plan to study architecture (obviously) and I know each school will focus more on different aspects of architecture. My top choices are Columbia, Yale, Notre Dame, and Clemson. I would greatly appreciate any input or opinions on the programs at these schools either from personal experience or just what you've heard. Thank you very much!

 
Sep 16, 11 6:37 pm
jmanganelli

for starters, make sure you understand your educational options.  your title says B.Arch programs, but i'm almost positive that notre dame is the only school you've listed that offers a B. Arch.  The others offer only accredited graduate degrees or a non-accredited undergraduate degree + an accredited graduate degree.

generally, these are the educational paths available in order to qualify to take the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE):

- 5 year Bachelor of Architecture professional degree (B. Arch)

- 4+2 - 4 year undergraduate non-accredited degree in architecture + 2 year accredited graduate degree

- 4+3 - 4 year undergraduate degree in any other field + a 3 year accredited graduate degree in architecture

- work experience:  there remain a few states, I believe at least NY, TX, CA, where you can qualify to sit for the ARE based upon work experience without having received an accredited degree, though this route tends to take substantially longer

as far as other B. Arch programs besides notre dame, the following come to mind:  Cornell, Auburn, Cooper Union, Syracuse, RISD, UT Austin, USC, California College of the Arts, UNC Charlotte  --- google Bachelor of Architecture to find the rest --- there should be 30-50 programs available.

my other thought is that of the four schools you did mention, each program has a very different focus and each has very different strengths and weaknesses.  what do you want to learn?  classical architecture?  contemporary architecture?  hands on building?  theory?  a focus on urban issues?  suburban issues?  sustainability?  planning?  skyscrapers?  computation?  digital fabrication?  for a first professional degree, to some extent, each of the programs has to cover similar ground.  and yet the strengths and weaknesses of each will still greatly influence the perspective on architecture that you are offered, so pick one that has a strength related to your areas of interest. for instance, notre dame is known for having a strength in classical architecture.  auburn's strengths are design/build and sustainability.  columbia has strengths in planning, computation, digital fabrication and theory, etc

 

good luck!

Sep 17, 11 12:25 am  · 
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Continuing jmanganelli's comment, you should look into the website National Architectural Accrediting Board (http://www.naab.org/). It will explain all the detail and list out all the accredited programs. I am in CA myself. While license is possible without an accredited degree, it's extremely difficult.

There are many famous college with architecture program, but they have accreditation at the Master level, not the Bachelor. While some of them have equally good program at both level despite accreditation status, I have heard that there are colleges that neglect their Undergraduate in other Majors (Surprisingly, haven't heard much about the Arch programs). So when you research, make sure you are looking into the Undergrad.

Sep 18, 11 2:07 am  · 
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archjec006

I want to actually get a second degree in Architecture, here in the Philippines. I really want it badly. I have been designing 2 years now and it worked out pretty well, I just can't continue it because of school demands, I'm taking a program that I don't even care about which in every way sucks. :/

Oct 1, 11 9:04 am  · 
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lemant

Hello again,

 If anyone has experience or knows anything about the UNDERGRAD arch programs at Yale and Columbia, could you inform me? I already know a lot about the program at Yale, but I wasn't able to talk with anyone at Columbia on my visit. I plan to attend grad school at some point also, so would attending a schools undergrad school give me any advantage when applying to their grad school? That is not my goal with attending these schools btw, it just so happens that my top two choices have amazing grad programs.

Thanks you!!

Oct 24, 11 12:28 pm  · 
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