If you go into architecture, the next 25 years of your life will be like this: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30e5Nw93VVk

Its not easy, there are a lot of architects and students graduating now, more than is needed, but if its really what you want then just be prepared to compete and get to know the right people and not make too much

think of architecture like what Morpheus in the Matrix said. you take the blue pill, and the story ends. Don’t pursue architecture and the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland and let architecture show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes. 

So, Rand H, do you think the competition will be more difficult for me as a girl? Do those who hire only look for experienced, old men or could a young girl get a job as well? I'm asking because I know some jobs are like that even if they won't admit it. Also, I will be younger than the rest of my graduating class because I'm three years ahead.

Thanks.

If you are just dying to make stuff go right ahead, just know you have been warned.
You'll probably be better off making stuff as an engineer, now there's an area over represented by men.

As for being a girl, I wouldn't worry about it much, at least not at the beginnings of your career, as long as you can produce fantastic work, you'll be fine.

The major hurdle comes when one decides to have a family, of which an unfair biological amount falls on women. Your career path in this regard, depends on your individual situation.

This has been discussed a few times, so here are a few links:
maternity leave
women in arch programs
questions

As a girl, depending one what country, but as reported trends here (when I cannot confirm on any level) women may have a harder time getting a job and get lower pay due to fear of them being mothers (but that is the rumor in every career path). But also, if you are more attractive there is also a higher chance of getting the job at some firms depending on the principal (sad but true, you'll walk into some offices and all the management are male and strangely all or most of the interns are attractive females). But the the tables have been turning in the corporate world, as they will continue to do, and women aren't finding it as difficult as it used to be. Schools also have been making a push at the undergraduate level trying to make their entry classes half male and half female to address the previous disparity between genders in the architectural profession. If you do great work, and know the right people though, getting a job won't be a problem.

email, why is engineering better?

I thought architecture would be better for me because of the art it has in it. But engineering would be a second choice. Do engineers make more money?

Engineers do make more money, and that's usually the only reason to suggest such a profession. Its either work doing what you like and not make a lot of money, or do something like engineering and make lots of money to fund what you like to do in your free time and buy bigger shinier things.

Engineers do make more money, and that's usually the only reason to suggest such a profession.

There is a nuance here that might need explaining.  An employed engineer has greater potential for a higher income compared with an employed architect.  But more importantly, an engineer probably has a much greater chance at avoiding unemployment.  If your income as an architect is going to be 0 or otherwise below the national poverty level, that should be a factor in your decision.  Income as an engineer is much more likely to be above poverty.

If you are not the type of person who does what it takes no matter what then you will fail in architecture - 70% are washed out by the time they get to year 5.

I just finished a 5 year professional undergraduate degree. I enjoyed my time in school, and it was difficult. Architecture school is really something where you can control how much you get out of it by how much you put into it.  Because you are generally working for an unquantifiable result, you will see a range of attitudes and results across your peers. The course load is heavy on hours, and the amount of work expected is a lot–it's worth doing if you enjoy it. Also, you will not spend much time "studying" in the typical sense with your nose buried in a textbook. Rather you will spend a lot of time making models and drawings with your hands, and in front of a computer screen–creating things.

According to the article linked below grad program graduates have better job prospects. You might consider trying an undergrad professional degree and if you find you don't like architecture, just transfer to a different major. You might also consider doing an undergraduate degree in something else and then going on to a graduate degree in architecture. 

To help your decision process, the internet is a good start but handson experience is better. Some schools (Boston Architectural College, Cornell, etc.) offer summer programs for high school students interested in architecture. Also, find an architect to talk to–you can learn a lot just by walking around an architecture office and having a frank conversation with someone who has been in the field a number of years.  Be aware that the range of firm types and sizes, along with individual priorities will mean that everyone you talk to has their own unique bias.

Two anecdotes:

I got an email today from someone within a competitive firm saying that their last few hires have been women.

A professor of mine who is an architect and engineer mentioned that as an engineer he was more likely to be involved with 20% of 5 different projects, while as an architect 100% involved in 1 project.

Good luck!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/for-college-grads-where-the-jobs-are/2012/01/03/gIQA43KCZP_graphic.html

cake decorator sounds more fun than architecture

I think the piece of advice I would have liked to have before going into architecture school was that architecture is a business - and you need to develop business-related skills in order to be successful (understanding how to manage time, money, and people - all of which many in this profession struggle with).  Also - the more technical/practical classes will end up being far more important than the more theoretical classes once you leave academia.

finally - strong reading-comprehension and good communication skills and being highly organized will get you very far in this profession.  just being a good designer won't get you anywhere unless you are constantly marketing yourself, are convincing enough people, and actually getting things built.

A minor in business couldn't hurt. Section and detail drawings will be some of your best friends in school if you really want to design good quality projects.

Don't even bother with it - the profession is as good as dead now and will be for many moons to come

^ Then quit and let someone else take your place.

Already have - best decision I ever made

Then why are you still on this forum telling other people not do do architecture?

Rand H., please don't be so hard on iblue 37....it is simply an opinion, and we all recognize it is a difficult time for our profession, at least for the small office of architecture.

" the profession is as good as dead now and will be for many moons to come" is not an opinion, it is a complete fabrication. Sorry, I cannot tolerate statements that are based on falsities and angst. 

Thank you, w. architect.

The point I was trying to establish in my earlier comment about the profession is that it's important to not lose sight of the realities facing it in today's economy. If you're inspired by great design and thoughtful execution, then by all means pursue a career in it. I most certainly was, and did, I will never regret a single moment of my education and experiences.

For those that are considering a career path in this field, the current market is forcing architecture to question itself in ways of which students, such as myself, were never made aware, during our M.Arch programs prior to the big meltdown. No one is to blame for that, because no one could have anticipated the paradigm shift that architectural practitioners are experiencing today. It's really important to understand the driving forces behind this profession at the moment, particularly if you're considering going to school and perhaps embarking upon a career in it.

H. Rand, I do agree that having a sense of business acumen does help. But it's also important to understand that your friendly sections and details aren't the only things that make a good project. In my experience, the best designers - students or starchitects - are the ones who are best at thinking wholistically, about the project.

That is much better input than "Don't even bother with it - the profession is as good as dead now and will be for many moons to come". Thank you.

Point taken - the learning experience is worthwhile and, if one is truly inspired by it, then one should get into it if they have the opportunity to do so.

You two get mad props for actually having a reasonable and friendly exchange on the interweb.

What's your secret?

Sobriety?

is there a meme for respectfully getting along?

insert surprised cuddly kitten i guess

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

Indeed, if only my past clients behaved as nicely as those two!

I do feel all warm and fuzzy too, like a little putty cat....

You can't say "insert picture of suprised cuddly kitten" without inserting a picture.  that's just bad manners on the internets.

also, i don't approve of sober forum posting.  neither does drunk kitty

Drunk kitty says: "de fuggin..(hiccup) friggin chianti is as good iz ded an will so to be fer many moons comin...(hiccup)!"