ops, heres the link that should work

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillipmo/sets/

If you include RuPaul I think you'll do ok...

i don't think general grades are gonna make or break you... and i doubt that's what they will look at the most. your work (from what you've shown) is mostly presented visually, so i think if you build a conceptually strong portfolio you'll be fine (that clearly explains what you were thinking/making). just give it a try... for a second year student you already have a nice body of work.

something like this is quite interesting to look at!! quite original.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillipmo/113703023/in/set-1696800/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillipmo/179133073/in/set-1696800/

pmossimo,

I think you could make it work. Put together a comprehensive portfolio and come down to sci-arc. Talk to students and faculty, go back to cal poly to finish your semester, then redo your portfolio based on the feedback you received. Apply after that.

And don't be surprised if you are placed a little bit behind.

Cheers and good luck,

~J.

Hey...I've actually been trying to decide between the two also. My problem though is I would be a transfer student from a SDSU + arch. courses at a JC.

Just wondering if you had any more insight to the downside of CalPoly's program...and if I'd be nuts to try transfer there from having bare min. arch. classes.

Your portfolio is really awesome

thanks for the advice guys,
ill definitly make another trip down there....
and i wouldnt mind being placed as a second year
housing though? it sounds like a nightmare (i dont have a car, i bike everywhere)

Monicaa--
i would say the worst downside to calpoly (slo) is that it is part of the state school system, meaning that it suffers from a lack of sufficient funding. We do not have any of the technology that an architecture school is expected to have (ie: laser cutters, cnc routers, 3d scanners... any graphics class that teaches ANYTHING over basic formz... and sketchup!!!).
Also, San Luis Obispo is a very expensive place to live for being in the middle of nowhere, so it is very hard to get professors to come and live there on a measly state school salary. 3 very valuable teachers left this year due to this factor.
my final gripe would be the over emphasis on stud wall construction. i would say 50% of the studio professors focus on this construction method and offer no guidance to any alternatives. In other words, calpoly is much too practical. We also have a giant general education load as well as far too many architectural engeneering classes (5, completed one after the other) In my opinion, you can learn the practical aspects of architecture by working at firms and by reading, working in construction. Im not in college to spend all my time studying construction.

you could totally transfer here with bare min. arch classes, we have many transfers that do. and if you do, be sure to apply yourself because calpoly offers a good education only if you look for it.

i asked for an application from cal poly obispo in late seventies as a foreign student. get this;
they sent me a letter saying no need to apply because their priority was american students at this time. sad for an architecture school to be colorless like that, devoid of any different cultural representation. architecture is also a social art you know.
so since that letter, for me, fuck them...
it all turned out much better for me by going to sci arc for half the tiution at the time and better schooling for my personality and interest. plus almost every country was represented. i am the first turkish graduate of sci arc ever. huh.

any suggestions on who to talk to when i make another trip down there? (faculty, advisors, students?)

pmoss,

you could start by setting up an appointment to talk to chris genik who is the undergraduate director and a very approachable guy. if you come within the next few months, you can also talk to bill simonian who is the academic advisor.

i live near sci-arc and have a different opinion about the surrounding neighborhood than does kritin_kai (and i'm not a suburbanite by any means.) i think it is just a matter of personal preference. nicer neighborhoods are within bus distance.

lofts within a 2-3 block radius + arts district gentrification = $$$$$$$$$$

unless you have pockets lined with money, plan on it taking a good two to three months finding an afforable place to live near school, otherwise plan on living in k-town and driving in everyday.

granted, i live by school, but i searched all summer for it, and our "loft" in the most industrial sense of the word. on the positive side, i am becoming quite the skateboarder.