I don't attend NYIT as an interior design major, but as an architecture major, so I can't speak too thoroughly about the program...

I do know that interior design majors take some of the same foundation design studios as the BARCH students do. Which campus will you attend should you go to NYIT?

iambetty, I have applied for the master of architecture there for fall 07.
I have friends that have graduated from there and they have liked their time there. They do tell me what we all hear about it...that it is incredibly intense and will involve extra long hours. But, in the end, what school dosen't? They do have a great program and the experience you get during the day is quite unique. They seem to have some great connections in the design community as well.

If you go NYtech for int. design your going to wind up in long island eventually. I will be the last person to sing any praises about NYIT manhattan right now.

Sorry, I was refering to the BAC. I realized I didn't explain that.

it doesn't matter if you don't have experience already--I started the school without much office experience and my first "lab" (that's how they refer to the concurrent job you need to get) was as an office person (copy boy/gopher) for an engineering firm, I eventually worked my way up to a design-drafter at the firm, learning on the job while taking studio at night. The BAC is a long haul and certainly not for everyone…

rehiggins,
How does the BAC make sure that you are following the correct job path. How do the firms work with the BAC to assure this, as well?

i am a BARCH at NYIT and i've had some experience with the interior designers. Interior design takes the same design fundamentals studios as arch majors. I'm not sure how the school differs between campuses, Old Westbury and Manhattan.

I've worked with some interior designers and faculty on the Solar Decathlon, and from my own limited experience and what I've heard from students, the Interior Design faculty isn't thought of too fondly.

The BAC doesn't hold your hand, so to speak--it's up to the student to keep track of their progress (academically and professionally). But you're not left entirely alone--there are Practice Curriculum forms to fill out each semester (nearly identical to the IDP forms) that document your work (lab) experience--every 100 hours of work = 1 credit (you only get credit for working in related [engineering firms] or architectural/interior firms) and there are PC credit requirements at every stage of the school. You meet with the PC head to asses your work skill level (there's a minimum skill level requirement for getting into segment 2/3 as well as graduation); it's basically like a job interview. The great thing is that once you reach a certain point--your PC credits start counting towards IDP and most of the people that make it to graduation have completed IDP and can start sitting for the exams the next day (to my knowledge the BAC is the only school in the country where you're allowed to finish IDP before graduation). The BAC has job listings but they don't place students--it's up to you to find a job which at times can be stressful. Some firms are great and understand a BAC student's situation, others are just looking for cheap labor. There are quite a few firms that have people involved with the BAC at some level, sometimes you find a firm that's actively engaged in your professional education and sometimes you don't. The main thing to remember about the BAC is that you are responsible for your progress and if you're not finding what you need or think you need then you have to make the effort to rectify your situation. The other thing to remember is that people do actually finish the school, regardless of how it may feel when you're sitting in class at 10pm in the middle of a 50hr work week…

Thnaks so much for the repsonse. I seem to be hearing pretty much the same type of story from most current and past students.
I really feel, personally, it would be vital for me to get in with a firm that understands the BAC's model and would be supportive of it.
I have heard horror stories about firms that could care less if you have to be in class at night.
Do most BAC grads stay in the Boston area?

some do, some don't. I've stayed and some of my friends have stayed, but some have left. I have no idea what the actual percentage of graduates that stay around town is…

Thanks again, I appreciate it.

I have mentioned Drexel before having a very similar set-up. The program is set up as a 2+4 (2 full time + 4 years part time with full time employment). How long is the BAC program? I guess I could look it up but I'd rather continue this conversation in archinect.

I think the average (what students actually experience) right now is around 7 years for the BArch, though I don't know what the "official" length is. I made it through in 7.5 years (took a semester off and I had transfer credit from another school). Eight and ten year stints aren't unheard of…life happens when you go to the BAC so some people end up taking a while to get through.

So there is never a period where you study full-time?

only if you do the Academic only program which is only offered for the first two years, otherwise, you're not considered a full-time student unless you're working.

So are there any BAC fall 2007 MAarch students here on Archinect??

thanks for all the info about BAC. i started looking into BAC (MArch) because my GPA in college was not the best, and then applying to a couple other schools with higher GRE scores (hoping for 1400-1450) and hoping for the best. I still might do that, but right now BAC sounds great and I might just forgo applying to other schools.

Rehiggins, (or anyone who knows) how would you say the reputation compares of a degree from BAC vs. other architecture schools? Is it just not comparable because of the structure of BAC's programs? do you know roughly how many incoming students end up graduating? is the pay from your "lab" job enough to live on? are you glad you went to BAC? Entasis79, did you apply/go to BAC or somewhere else?

ok that's a lot of questions so if anyone wants to answer any one of them or post any info whatsoever about BAC that would be awesome. thanks

I'd recommend doing a search on Archinect – use the key terms "Boston Architectural Center" or "Boston Architecture College". Here are a few links to get you started:

here

and here

...oops...that one link I added above is a joke - so simply so a search and see what you can find.

--some people respect the school, others don't; though most are impressed by anyone that makes it through for the simple fact of making it through (based on my experience)

--unofficially, I've heard that 20% of those that start, finish the school (it may be lower, it may be higher). There's also some interesting (unofficial) statistics about the grade received in first studio and graduation--people who graduate are most likely to have earned a B or higher in their A-1 studio (first studio)

--I was able to afford school by myself based on federal student loans and my job.

--I am very glad I went to the BAC, it provided a nice balance of practice and theory, plus now I feel I can accomplish anything. . .

thanks a lot for the info katze and rehiggins. i've never actually been to boston so i'm going to visit in the next month or two. good to know the B or above stat in studio and that you could finance it with loans and your job. i went to OSU for undergrad (in art history) and am from Columbus so i might still apply to OSU mostly because it would be cheaper. but as of right now without visiting, the BAC sounds great. rehiggins, do you have any tips on what i can do between now and next fall to make sure i get at least B's and handle the job as well?

can't really think of any tips to prepare you for the BAC…learn how to manage your time well. Be more concerned with whether or not you're learning, not the grade you get.

This is a great thread--I am considering the BAC for a masters in interior design and this thread has been very informative. Here's a question: One reason I'm considering the BAC is b/c I don't have much formal training in design. My BA is in Sociology, although I have have always had a strong interest and some talent when it comes to art, whether it be drawing, graphic design, etc. Would you say that the people who end up being successful at th BAC have a strong design backgrounds? How do the students doing "career changes" fare in the program?

Agreed, BostonAI617. I'm looking into the BAC for the M-Arch program, and it looks fairly enticing - especially since it's practice-based. Thanks you guys. I would be interested, though, in finding out exactly what the graduation rate is.