Archinect
anchor

Thoughts on UIC's MArch programs?

fivepass

hey guys, i got into UIC, and i could not find to much other information on it, i was just wondering if there was anyone who went there, or anyone who had thoughts about the schools, there facilities, program, faculty etc...???...thanks!

 
Mar 12, 07 1:27 pm
starrchitect

It blows. Just look at the student work at their end of year show. Most of the work looks more lke graphic design than actual architectural work.

Mar 12, 07 6:06 pm  · 
 · 
THREADS

good school. I would call up any of the faculty. They are all more than willing to share their thoughts with you about the program. Brown, Worn, Wheeler, Vendrell and Vitale are all very friendly and helpful.

Mar 12, 07 6:12 pm  · 
 · 
sparch

i don't know how much i can tell your about UIC grad.

facilities aren't that good

faculties - u can research about Blender, Garafolo, Worn, Elva Rubio (Gensler), etc... (not sure if Sarah Dunn (Urban Lab) teaches grad)
i don't think you will be disappointed after research.
probably faculties are strength of UIC program, since faculties practice, and invite their co-workers, friends, faculties from IIT to critique.

students - few students who were accepeted to ivy leagues, or better schools, choose to come to UIC because it's at Chicago
some of their works are impressive

maybe it's same with other schools. some of 3rd year program students' works aren't impressive.

i wish SoA UIC has better website. it doesn't have works of students, so it's hard to know what their focus is.

i am in 4th year of UIC undergrad. so i don't want to diss my school. maybe someone can give him honest opinion, if i am not being honest.

maybe chicarchitect has negative view about school, because he prefers practical/fundmental over graphical/academical ?
maybe because it's design focused, it helped undergrads like me to put beter portfolio?

UIC grad is not in top 30, but it is a solid program.

you can use search in archinect discussions.
there are many threads about UIC.
prolly some of archinectors are tired about talking about UIC/IIT




Mar 12, 07 6:36 pm  · 
 · 
guppy

I graduated from the 3-year MArch a few years ago, and feel like I got a solid education (though I have nothing to compare it to). Everyone will tell you the same thing: faculty is great, facilities are horrible. Though they have made some infrastructure changes over the last couple of years, I wouldn't expect that to change. Still I found the faculty to be extremely giving and knowledgeable. Experiences also differ depending on which MArch track you are in. Are you a 3 year, 2 year, or 1 year?

Mar 12, 07 7:54 pm  · 
 · 
fivepass

im going for the 2yr track -- they gave me a full scholarship plus an additional 7 grand

Mar 12, 07 8:48 pm  · 
 · 
guppy

That's a pretty good deal. I had TAships two out of three years...funding isn't guaranteed year to year (at least not when I was there), so I ended up having to pay one year out of state tuition, which sucked. You'll be partnered up for the first year (different partner each semester), which is something to think about. Strength of the projects correlates strongly with strength of partnership. If you email me I can give you a pretty good run down of what the first year is like (that part of the curriculum is pretty tight). Also email Dan Wheeler with specific questions. He's a great guy (VERY high strung) and he'll pretty much own you for the first year. Also the Barcelona program (which wasn't around when I was there) is a great addition. Xavier Vendrell apparently knows everyone there and I've heard great things about it.

Mar 13, 07 12:19 am  · 
 · 
Chairman-Mao

isn't that UIUC better?

would you choose UIUC over Wash U?

Mar 13, 07 4:53 am  · 
 · 
sparch

UIC - at chicago
UIUC - at urbana champaign

different school

Mar 13, 07 9:34 am  · 
 · 
Living in Gin

I began my undergrad degree at UIC in 1995 and hated it, but I understand their graduate program is making strides and is widely-considered to be up-and-coming. I don't know much about the faculty, as most of the professors I knew seem to have either died or moved on.

The facilities suck ass; local pizzerias won't even deliver to the A&A building because too many of their drivers get lost inside. It's like something out of the Twilight Zone.

The location, however, is hard to beat. You're within spitting distance of the Chicago Loop, and the neighborhood around campus is about a million times nicer than it was when I was there.

Mar 13, 07 10:04 am  · 
 · 
sparch

Living in Gin

you've been out of teach little bit.
now local pizzerias carry navigation system just for AA building

Mar 13, 07 10:25 am  · 
 · 
evilplatypus

as bad as the AA building is, its also very unique - it has all these terraces for going out for a smoke while staying up all night with drop dead views of the skyscrapers. Ive always thought there is no better rooftop of any architecture school. Plus access to working internships is spectacular-that makes up for the brutalist, parking garage of a building.

Mar 13, 07 10:33 am  · 
 · 
evilplatypus

I love this view - twilight reflected on the towers -






Place is very powerful concideration in education

Mar 13, 07 10:44 am  · 
 · 
Chairman-Mao

Sparch. i know bro.

UIC - at chicago
UIUC - at urbana champaign

are different.


Someone just said "UIC sucks ass....."

Any words on UIUC? any thoughts?

Mar 13, 07 1:11 pm  · 
 · 

Block this user


Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?

Archinect


This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.

  • ×Search in: