Most classes are small and very personal.. there is a great variety of backgrounds at LAIAD, I met students with  backgrounds in Science, Communications, History and a bunch of others I was one of the few with an art background.  Search the forums there's more info on LAIAD out there.  I did the program there and got a scholarship to Columbia. Not all of my classmates got scholarships though, only a couple.

Thanks for the reply!

I looked at some of the other LAIAD related posts, and they all seem pretty positive.

As a quick aside, I noticed that a lot of the students seem to go to private schools. When I looked at the portfolios, it seemed like everyone was going to a private school. I imagine that a lot of this has to do with location. (Woodbury, Sci-Arc, NewSchool.) However, do you feel that the program has a good reach?

Also, do you have to purchase all necessary software right away, or will is the lab open for several hours in the evening (Forgot to ask this one during interview.)

Thank you!

You're right it's mostly because of location, also included is USC, which some of my peers are going to. I'd say if youre serious about school, LAIAD can prepare you for any school, I've heard of some going to MIT, Harvard etc. although I have not heard of any state schools to date. It all depends on how ambitious and motivated you are.  The key is really the portfolio. 

As for the software, you will only need the free version of sketchup the first semester, during the second semester youll brush over autocad very briefly and then use Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and illustrator to put together your portfolio.

Lab hours: they provided us with a key (have to put a deposit agreement) which you can use to access the lab pretty much anytime you want, but the building hours might prevent you from getting into the building itself really late night. Its fine if you want to stay after class hours and work into the night.  I believe they are working on getting students "access cards" to access the building anytime as well.   

Thanks again! This was all very helpful. I would really like to get into a public school due to my substantial undergraduate debt. Hopefully this will help.

I apologize for breathing life back into a dead thread.......I have one more question about LAIAD. 
 

For those who have attended the program, is it possible to build a substantial portfolio from scratch by the end of two semesters (Summer, Fall)? 

Coming from a non-design background, some of these portfolios look daunting, and I would really like to make use of a program that would be there to give me constructive criticism through the process rather than just give me a couple projects to later integrate into the portfolio?

Thank you.

I apologize for breathing life back into a dead thread.......I have one more question about LAIAD. 
 

For those who have attended the program, is it possible to build a substantial portfolio from scratch by the end of two semesters (Summer, Fall)? 

Coming from a non-design background, some of these portfolios look daunting, and I would really like to make use of a program that would be there to give me constructive criticism through the process rather than just give me a couple projects to later integrate into the portfolio?

Thank you.

You will complete approximately 8 projects including an axonometric drawing that spans through several iterations and produces separate and independent components.  The thing is, you want to be able to supplement these projects with other forms of work if you truly want to be competitive.  I have an art background so I included a spread with prints and paintings.  I also completed an independent project of a complex tesselation pattern.  Others have included fabrications like furniture, sculptures or anything creative that has volume (any kinds of models). 

Keep in mind that you are applying to the first professional degree, meaning you have no prior architectural background so don't be daunted by portfolios of students with arch background that include fancy renderings and such.  

The portfolio is your opportunity to communicate your thought process to the school, if you can present solutions to spatial problems or limitations clearly with enough visual sophistication, you should be in the clear.  I ultimately used only the drawing project and three other model projects from LAIAD in my portfolio.  So 4 LAIAD, 1 personal and 1 spread with artwork.  If you have any more questions keep 'em coming!

Vizious,

How many students were in your class?

Also, do they help you a lot in giving feedback on the actual portfolio? One of the things I would really out of the program (upon completion) is to have a few others guys who have experience viewing portfolios to be able to honestly say "I like that, If i was on the Ad Com at (insert school), I think I would pick him.", or "I doubt I would pick you if I was on ________ committee. Your drawing and graphic skills need improvment."

Do they provide input on other aspects of application such as essay?

Thanks again, and if would be better just to send a personal e-mail to you I could do that as well.

My class started with a little bit over 20 and by the time it ended there were less than 10.  Most dropped out soon after the program began, however during the second semester, the portfolio/communications class merged with another class who had started a semester before us, so there was a total of around 20 students working on the protfolio and helping each other.  In my experience, portfolio inout was unfortunately not what you are looking for.  The instructor was there to answer questions and regularly give you critiques but most of your classmates will be around the same situation you are, so they are limited in their criticism.  

I was fine just browsing around Issuu and here. Comparing and getting ideas, and you can always post and ask for help here.  

And finally I didnt get any help on the essay, I asked for help from one of my college professors, who also wrote one of my letters.  I am not sure if LAIAD is willing to help you with that, that's a good question to ask if you're interested.

rvega@oxy.edu