Grad schools want to see your creative work. If your landscape projects are well executed then I would say put them in. If your hand renderings are good quality and clean and well organized graphics for analysis this could lead 1 or 2 in depth projects taking up a good chunk of the portfolio. You want to show your approach to creative problem solving, and show grad schools that you can do this well. Most people can learn to draw or paint in a fine arts context, and these are good additions to a portfolio, but don't necessarily show your approach to creative design processes. It seems in your case that a combination of the two might be able to work well together. Can't offer anything on midwest schools, except that I have heard UIC has a decent program (have seen some good student work from there I think)  and of course IIT is somewhat (in)famous..

hope this can be helpful and good luck

I did my undergrad in UWM and really liked it. And I really liked living in Milwaukee. Know a lot of really talented folks that went to Minnesota.

Co-op

Thanks for the advice. My only fear is that the landscape projects I've completed over the past two years have been assigned to enhance my graphic skills rather than to stimulate design thinking. There was very little conceptual work required and I don't think these projects show my creative design process. Needless to say, I'm a little disappointed in the curriculum so far. I'd like to do some creative, conceptual work this summer, but I am finding it hard to begin with no parameters and little access to resources.

I did my undergrad at UWM, but haven't gone on to grad school yet, but I can give you my impressions.

First, M. Arch programs love getting students from outside architecture, that's why often they have entire programs (the 3/3.5 yr) devoted to students like you.  Now how high landscape architecture ranks on the hierarchy of sought-after grad students, I don't know. 

My gut tells me that you wouldn't get a 3.5 yr program cut down to 2 years, however you may get waivers for some courses you took for your LA undergrad.  However, schools make their money by selling you classes, so waiving classes can be a tough fight, especially if you're trying to waive an a grad level class for an undergrad one...something tells me they'd look down upon that.

As far as a portfolio, you can post some of it here on Archinect, get comments and criticisms on it.  You can add new elements ie "conceptual" stuff to your previous work, basically a redesign/update.  Or there's nothing stopping you from coming up with your own projects.  Design a new abstract idea for a train station, including landscaping, for Madison, or a 100 square foot pavilion along one of the lakes, or heck, come up with a conceptual 21st century gas station for along Madison's Beltway (even Frank Lloyd Wright designed a gas station).    Come up with some sketches, share your ideas here or elsewhere, illicit comments and advice, certainly can't hurt.

I've considered both UMN and UWM, though I know far less about UMN's program than I should.  Honestly, I lived in Milwaukee for 10 years, I like the community, I like it's proximity to Chicago/Madison/etc, I have friends there, in general I like the school, and I hate cold weather.  I know Milwaukee isn't exactly the Bahamas, but I lived near MN, their winters tend to be much worse.  Also, because when it's all said and done, for me an M. Arch from UMN is worth no more than one from UWM (they cost similar, with tuition reciprocity, and neither will open more doors than the other) , I'd rather go to an area I like.