Sounds like you would be a good candidate for a summer architecture program. You could learn more about the field and get a better idea of what is involved, create some design work that will be competitive in a portfolio, and develop a relationship with an architecture instructor who can write you an informed letter of recommendation. In any event, most of the M.Arch programs which I have seen only accept applications for the fall, so you have a year to work on your portfolio. Hope that helps.

RTSergeson,

Although I am an applicant myself with a decent (3.3 GPA) I think I can offer some insight. I have discussed this very topic with a few people on the admissions committee and I feel confident in discussing what they are looking for in a potential student. At a summer seminar program for UT, they had a admissions session. They told us that they ranked student on a 1-4 scale for portfolio. From what I could tell a 4 means you are automatically in (So long as your not terrible in every other area). A 1 means your automatically out. It's safe to assume most applicants fall in the middle. With a low GPA you need to compensate. You could probably get into an elite school if you had a 3 on the portfolio and if you had a very high GRE (think 1300 plus on the old GRE). The first thing they are looking for is your competency in visual communication, but that alone is not enough. They need to know that you have the mental acumen and stamina to make it through a long and rigorous program. With a sub 3.0 GPA, you are automatically in question. 

It's important to remember that this varies from school to school. Some schools literally take the majority of people that apply, and so a 4 from them is not the same as say MIT or Harvard. However, don't think that it's much different. There are a lot of people out there with developed artistic ability. If you want to be competetive, I suggest the following:

1.) Show sincere interest. This is probably the single most important thing you can do, and from what I can tell, many schools will take a person who has a genuine interest and just the tiniest bit of visual competency over someone who is a talented artist and throws together a sloppy portfolio without any indication of direction. 

2.) Amp up the GRE score. The GRE score is of little importance if you have a high GPA, but when you have a low GPA it becomes really important. It's a measurement of your analytical abilities at a fundamental level. I.E) how quickly you can learn. 

3.) Secure at least one, maybe two excellent recommendations. If you have people that will put their neck on the line to say you have a lot of potential, it will help. 

4.) Make sure to have a strong, well crafted personal statement. It sounds like people underestimate this. Some schools actually don't require a portfolio, and they ride on the PS, GPA, and GRE for the most part. A well crafted PS says a lot, It shows direction, ability to communicate, and overall craft-- all things that are important for an M.Arch student. 

5.) Do everything you can to make your portfolio a well presented document. I've talked to a couple people on admissions committees who seem to care little about the actual content presented by an M.Arch 3+ student (Yes it's true). However, they are very interested in how that work is presented. Your ability to document, compose and present your work speaks volumes about how you will be perceived. I've had deans at competitive schools say they have taken students with writing samples only based on how that work was presented....Take everything into account if you present visual docs. This includes strong documentation, composition, layout, printing, binding etc. make sure images are clear and meaningful, think about the way the physical portfolio is presented, and make it part of your overall process. Most schools don't expect M.Arch 3 plus students to have incredibly well developed work, they do however expect that they present the information in a compelling fashion. They want to know that you have at least taken some time to develop your sensibilities and that you can compose a visual project. 

I had a dean of a competitive school give me the best advice regarding application material. He said "look at us, not as an admissions committee, but as a denial committee". Imagine that they are looking for ways to deny you. If you have a 4.0 GPA and a strong portfolio, they will have a hard time not accepting you. However, if your GPA is lower, you get the red flag and now you need to really prove why your worth accepting.  

If your application says "I have taken the time to develop my visual skills, my GPA does not truly represent my potential and my determination to succeed and I have a clear reason for wanting to study architecture" you will get into a desirable school.

Again, I am not an expert, but I have discussed this topic several times with people on admissions committees. I hope this helps!

First and foremost, I encourage you to contact the architecture programs to which you are considering to apply and ask them what you can do to strengthen your application.

You state that your GPA is 2.7 - 2.8, but review your full transcript.  Some graduate programs only consider the GPA over the last 60 credits.  What is your last 60 credits GPA?  Why is your GPA 2.7 - 2.8?  Was it one or two bad courses early on?  Were they in your major?  Whatever the reason, I would briefly mention in the personal statement.  Take ownership of your academics and state that you they do not fully reflect your academic abilities.

Another way to improve your academics is to take courses as a non-degree student after graduation in architectural history, drawing, or other courses that will be helpful.  If you do so, be sure that you earn grades of A or B.  Of course, these additional courses will help in obtaining recommendations.

Best!

As snail mentioned earlier, what kind of summer arch programs are there? From what I've been finding it seems to only be for high school students. I am somewhat in the same boat looking for an arch program over the summer to see if arch is what I really want to do.

ARCHCareers.org - http://www.archcareers.org/ provides a list of summer architecture programs (over 75 different programs).  Most are targeted for high school students, but check out the following - Harvard, UWashington, UCLA, UC-Berkeley, and Columbia.

Aside from participating in a summer program, there are other means to determine if architecture is for you.

1) Contact an architect and conduct an information interview; ask if you can possibly shadow for a few hours or full day;

2) Read!  Via public libraries, read books on the topic of architecture or visit architectural journals/blogs;

3) Attend a public lecture on architecture via an area architecture program or other institution (AIA chapter, museum, etc.);

4) Take an art / figure drawing course at a community college.

Best - Dr. Architecture

You mention that you want a school in New England.  You could consider the Boston Architectural College http://www.the-bac.edu/ (which has open enrollment).  The program is well regarded, and you can either stay there to graduate (I think the master's program is longer than average) or transfer to a more typical program.