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A question about graduate school that you might not have read already
i am asking this question not because I am unable to decide for myself where I should goto school, but I think asking for advice from those who are in positions to give advice, or who have followed a similar path could be beneficial.
I studied a well known school in Montreal, urban studies and GIS. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in the end, and also did a little bit of art school, which I enjoyed very much.
I had the opportunity to do a summer internship at a large and well reputed international practice in NYC, and subsequently worked as an intern architect in London, UK for 8 months for this same company on a state-of-the-art project in the city of London. I now work for an urban design company in Toronto Canada.
The unusual thing is, that I never studied design (I studied ideas relating to cities and urbanism) although, I have always had an innate interest and maybe, capacity for art and design. Working for these offices has been a kind of masochistic/passionate learning experience, and I'm pretty happy I've been intuitive enough to keep up and have had excellent mentors, and now my portfolio is filled with some great work from the past two years.
I am fascinated (i think thats the right word) by architecture now, and would like to continue in this trajectory.. I like what I am doing now, but I don't always want to remain the full-time guy who can make models and do more than interns, but we will be stripped of a 'designer' title and responsibility.
I've thought about staying here in Canada, where tuition is affordable, but many people have suggested that I apply elsewhere. For instance, The AA, Columbia, the GSD, or Cooper Union. I don't want to sell my future learning experience short, or over sell myself (my CGPA isn't brilliant, because of that year I thought I wanted to study economics, and the freshman year of literature courses). I have been surrounded by very creative AA, Bartlett Harvard, Yale, etc. students... so I think I am up for a similar challenge.
I suppose what I am asking is this: now that I have worked quite hard with these internships, is it worth going into serious debt for a good school? (it seems unlikely that I can get scholarships in other countries as a foreign student)
I feel like the school is what ever you make it, but I am not so oblivious to reject the idea that credentialism has overtaken this industry; I also want to be surrounded with people who don't only want to learn how to become an architect, but challenge the existing ideas.
if you can, lend me a hand, application time is on its way!
thanks
"I suppose what I am asking is this: now that I have worked quite hard with these internships, is it worth going into serious debt for a good school?"
Yes, actually, we have read this question before. Many times. The answer now, as in every other case, is: "it depends on you."
I'm sorry if this sounds curt, but, really, every third or fourth discussion thread on Archinect is on this *precise* question. You are certainly entitled to wonder, because this is your life and you want to make the very best of it. But taking some time to read through the hundreds (thousands?) of threads where your forefathers and -mothers have queried similarly will do you wonders in getting some answers.
(I'm sitting in my office on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, writing this... perhaps this colors my mood...)
fair. maybe the title of the thread is wrong. i should have use 'may' or 'may not' have read before.
i don't think my background is exceptional, but I do not think it is not the norm.
therefore, i felt self righteous enough to make my very own post.
everyone else asking this same 'precise' question either studied architecture; or has never worked in architecture and is using grad school as a stepping stone to get a job.
so in response, i don't think there are hundreds or thousands of threads on the exact same situation, but very close, yes.
...the fact that i am sitting on my rooftop with a can of labatt 50 on this beautiful day may or may not colour my mood too...
Touche', as they say up there.
You're right, everybody's case has its unique elements.
My cranky point was basically to suggest starting with those threads that are pretty close (very interested in architecture, some experience, but not sure about the big push necessary to "go all the way," as it were). Very valid questions, and there's a lot of experience here on Archinect.
Your background in urbanism is a big plus, in my opinion. The world needs talented urban designers, and this means training in both 1) cities and their systems, and 2) formmaking and spacemaking. You've got one already.
As for getting a sheepskin from an Ivy or other august institution, that's a whole separate argument---one which many here relish.
Good luck in your quest! I vote yes.
Yeah its difficult to answer this question, but studying in another country would be a healthy experience. Whether you want to take the debt or not is up to you. Scholarships are difficult, but you may want to search locally first. Also you can scholarships to study in the UK but it is a bit of a search. Find your local British Council and sit in their library for a few days - likely will find something you may qualify for even if its a few dollars here or there/
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