We're around - we're just in spy mode to infiltrate the M.Archs. Didn't you get the memo?

Yeah, we are here -  heard back from all East Coast schools but no West Coast yet. You?

Byen01 - Thanks for your response on my other thread, I will keep an eye out for Barry, maybe ask him a couple questions about Cal Poly. Thanks~!

Questions?

(I'm not involved in the MLA admissions process at Cal Poly so can't provide any updates about your status.)

Hi Barry....Oh no... I wouldn't expect you to give me an update on my personal application, just some general questions if you are up for it. I have read a bunch of your posts on other threads and they are always most informative!

My impression so far is that out of all the schools I have applied to (wide variety), CPP is maybe the program looking for most 'science' in the skill-set of their applicants? Do you find that your students have more science-backgrounds than, let's say... RISD or USC?

Also, what is the relationship between MLA students and the Lyle center? I am asking in terms of... do you only get involved with the Lyle Center only if you choose specific areas of research or are some classes held there, etc.? 

Thanks!!

-laguirre

Hi laguirre,

The MLA students at CPP represent the usual mix of backgrounds that I've seen elsewhere. Perhaps there might be more folks with environmental science backgrounds because our emphasis on regional design and landscape metrics give less time to focus on site-scale design/aesthetics than the other programs you mentioned. Of the current MLA students that I've talked to enough to learn their backgrounds, there is an interest mix: architecture, theology, philosophy, horticulture, natural resources, et cetera...

The Lyle Center offers a range of courses in the MS in Regenerative Studies that are open to students in the MLA program. There have been design-build BSLA studios held at the Lyle Center. You can also apply to live there too (it's dorms are run by student housing).

You can also contact me directly via archinect or my cal poly faculty profile. If you visit, I'd be happy to meet.

Good luck!

Accepted to GSD MLA I AP, really happy! Anyone else heading there in the Fall?

May very well see you there, arketkt! In as MLA 1. Going to the Open House?

Anybody know anything about Rutgers MLA? It just started last year but any sense on how it's shaping up?

@arketkt and byen01 - I'm probably heading to the GSD for the MLA I AP as well in the Fall! Waiting for Penn's decision..  

@byen01 - I'm not sure if I can make it to the open house but we'll see.

I'm currently enrolled at another university for an M.Arch degree but I feel that I am more interested in pursuing the MLA at the GSD. I'm particularly interested in urbanism, infrastructure, and ecology. Anyone have any advice/input in regards to M.Arch vs. MLA? Or detailed feedback on the GSD's MLA program? I'm finding it difficult to make up my mind, although I am leaning towards the MLA program.

@arketkt -

The MLA programme at the GSD has a distinct ecological-urbanism approach thanks to Waldheim and his crew. However, schools like UT Austin, Princeton and Yale also offer various electives/ studio options within their M.Arch programs that have an ecology/ infrastructure/ landscape focus. Columbia and MIT too, have landscape architects (Anne Spirn, Wescoat etc.) in their core faculty although they dont offer landscape programmes. I might be wrong but I think all of the schools that I just mentioned have an interdisciplinary pedagogy. 

I think there is no definite answer to your M.Arch vs MLA query as it varies with each school and their respective programs. Some schools have a greater number of programs that are relatively specialised while some (Princeton/Yale) have only a couple of them that are open-ended and multidimensional. It all depends on your academic interests.

Going along the lines of what sg18 has said, does the M.Arch program you're currently in have those multidisc. opportunities for you to take advantage of? I think I mentioned this in another thread, but the main kicker for GSD's MLA program (at least in my view) is its research opportunities/support (just peruse through some of their student work online). The main reason I chose MLA over M.Arch was that I really couldn't get that excited about structures (compared to some of my past co-workers, who would just gush about curtain wall details), and was far more interested in watersheds and a more focused examination of ecologically driven design. It's really about end games - what kind of work would you prefer to do once you graduate?