UCLA offers an intensive 6-week architectural design and representation program geared specifically towards students looking to get into architecture. It would be difficult to work full-time while taking the classes but is only 6 wks if you can take a break for a while. I did it last year and applied to m.arch programs this year. It really helped me develop some basic dwg techniques and model building skills. We completed two projects,...both of which I included in my portfolio. Here's the link if you wanna check it out...

http://www.summer.ucla.edu/institutes/Architecture/overview.htm

Good luck!

Hi. I also took that program in the summer at UCLA last year. Although I am planning on using the two projects on my portfolio, i feel as though i need much more practice. 6 weeks were very intense and overwhelming and I could've used another few weeks in design. which schools have you applied too?

you can def. do a project on your own. some topicsfor exercises i can think of:

inglewood housing-where the wave is moving towards. this could protentially be a real estate development project/topic as well as architecture.

schools along the expo line-infrastructure and schools. lausd is proposing building schools along this future transportation line. why along the line?

housing development on the land the hollywood sign is on-just saw this on the news, some developer is talking about buidling houses there.

san fernando valley-THE suburb, secession? more connecting transportation over the hills? definitely large enough.

mar vista loft district-why lofts?

more...

architecture on catalina island
los angeles' small lot ordinance-this is amazing!

for something smaller...

expo line stations-i'm getting excited...

you can design a new building for the san antonio winery in downtown l.a.

I've applied to UCLA (of course), ASU, SCI-Arc, U.penn, Rice, Yale, U.Washington, Parsons, Pratt, and U.Houston...in no particular order. Got into asu a couple weeks ago and I should be hearing from the others within the next week or so. I've lived on the East coast all my life so it would be nice for a change : )

Thanks for all your suggestion dammson, I really appreciate you taking the time to do so. its a great idea.

When you say M.Arch I, that means that you have a non-professional undergraduate degree in architecture?

Nine months is a really short period of time to put together a portfolio, but I might suggest entering competitions. There are a ton advertised on this site and through local AIA chapters. That way, if you win, you have something else to put on your resume in additional to a portfolio piece.

Good Luck!

it could also mean that he has a degree in Economics

my advice is to stray away from the architectural stuff in your portfolio. i would include a few sketches and hand perspectives, but nothing that would have them put you in the architecture pile. go travel, take pictures, sketch, meet people--you will then find some kind of story to tell in your portfolio.