My dear - the search function. It is so neglected and you could love it so.

Not the type of feedback I was hoping for but duly noted.

here you go buddy,
read from page 1 to page 7 to capture more insights and agony
also free samples of portfolio.

I would recommend summer design studio courses in nearby colleges, to cultivate your design ability and technical skills.
it can also give you challenges that archiecture is a right path for you.
please search thereads in academia section about career discovery programs.

if you have the time and money this summer, do career discovery at one of the several programs that offer it.

I was in the same boat when I finished undergrad though my major was in a field more closely related to architecture and I had taken visual and performing arts classes from which I could draw material for putting together a portfolio.

To address some of your questions/ concerns:

Skills -

The post-bac MArch programs are intended for people with little to know knowledge of architecture. Most of the classes/studios you'll take in the first two years will be essentially remedial to take you from the level of first year undergrad to level of first year grad student in a condensed amount of time. Because of that, you shouldn't worry too much about acquiring specific skills.

Read Ching's books, read Corbusier, study your history, follow current trends in the field, and just try to open your mind to possibilities outside your existing conceptions of architecture.

Portfolio -

I don't know what the specific portfolio requirements are that you're being asked to submit, but I recall that they were pretty vague, asking for something along the lines of "samples of creative work". Keep an open mind about this - it doesn't have to just be architectural drawings. It could be anything creative really - poetry, songs, recordings, photographs, sculpture, sketches from napkins. Three dimensional or visual is better but they're really just trying to see evidence of creativity and basic design sensibility, not evidence of specific technical skills.

Whatever you do, I would strongly advise you to lean toward what you call the abstract and NOT do a fully fleshed-out design project. There are so many ways that going to the level of things like physical models and CAD drawings could majorly backfire it just doesn't seem worth going there. You don't want to make yourself look like you think you already have all the answers and you don't want to make the admissions committee think you're just showing them what you think they want to see.

If you truly need to beef up your portfolio you could do a design "problem" but keep the solution very sketchy and conceptual. You might also be able to do studies and alalyses of existing buildings in sketch, model, and/or photo format.

The Next Year -

It will be difficult with the flailing economy and your lack of architectural education, but get yourself work at an architectural office any way you possibly can. That'll be the true test of the strength of your passion for this field.

I am currently in an M.Arch program after receiving a Bachelors degree in Art. There are, according to my calculations, 50 schools in the U.S. that accept non-Arch undergrads into their M.Arch programs. Now that I'm in grad school, along with 10 other students like us, here is my advice for you:

First, definitely try to get into one of the summer career discovery programs offered (i.e. Harvard, UT-Austin, etc.). If you can't do that, go and visit several schools that accept non-arch majors to see what it's like. The worst thing you could do is put in all the effort, get accepted, then discover you don't want to be in architecture school. It definitely happens...

If you find that you do want to go to school, when it comes to programs that accept non-arch's, there is quite a variety in curricula. For instance, some schools you will merge with the B.Arch students in your first fall, others not until your second year. Get a sense of what kind of school you might want to attend.

Finally, when it comes to your portfolio, it's obviously important but don't kill yourself over the content. Schools that accept non-arch's do not compare your portfolio against those of arch majors. From my knowledge, they have a rough quota of non-arch's, then compare them against each other. So they do NOT want you to try and fudge something to make yourself look better. Put your most creative and best work in there, regardless of what it is (haiku, math formulae, whatever) and spend time making the presentation of the portfolio rock.

You may have to apply two years in a row before you can get a good sense of where you stand. In other words, apply to a range of schools the first year. Then, once you know where you stand, apply to more schools in that quality. That's what I did, and I highly recommend it.

Take career discovery at GSD. They let anyone in w a pulse.
But its was pretty decent program and got my instructor to write a rec for me.

I studied biology undergrad so doesnt matter what u studied before its how fast you learn.

Soft power,
I came from a business background as well and am now in architecture school. Schools like to take in students from backgrounds other than architecture to diversify their classes, and I believe that business/finance is a great non-arch background to come from (because, in the end, those skills can help you tremendously as a practicing architect). I would highly recommend doing a summer program at a school like Harvard of Columbia to build a portfolio - many people do this and are able to put together very nice work. It will also help you to get a feel for the profession and decide if its right for you (without the commitment of school). Of course its a great networking tool too when it comes to admissions...

Good Luck

the summer programs are an excellent way to gauge your decision. i absolutely recommend them. in addition to what everyone else says, i personally feel they can make or break one's commitment to studying architecture. you'll fast realize whether you want to endure or not. the programs are a smart investment that will pay back in many ways, perhaps ultimately nudging your conviction to be an architect. and if you hate architecture school, then it's far less painful to part ways with thousands, rather than tens of thousands, of dollars of tuition.

the best portfolio advice i was given: in your portfolio, you want to demonstrate your potential to be able to think like an architect. don't mistake proficiency in software or other real world pragmatics as answers to a successful portfolio. this portfolio is not for a job interview, it's for academia. realize that architecture school is very much about its students cultivating a way of thinking about things as it is their craft of representing buildings. if you discover you enjoy thinking this way, then you'll feel comfortable making the commitment.

Portfolio is by far most important. And that you display design potential. Especially for a non-architect. Its needs graphic power and if you are savvy, conceptual power. whether you are refined or not, doesnt matter if you have those two going.

But dont dump yr finance background if you do arch, you could make it work for you in the future.

Aside from the summer career discovery programs such as the one at GSD, enroll in a freehand drawing course to learn to draw. This will also provide you materials for your portfolio.

http://archcareers.org/summerprograms.html

Begin now the MArch programs to be in touch with them about their admission requirements to adequately prepare.

http://www.naab.org

http://www.archschools.org

Depending on your employment situation, attempt to secure a job in a firm even with your finance background. Short of a job, shadow an architect or intern for a week to learn more about the profession. Do the same with a nearby school.

Other resources --

http://www.archcareers.org

Becoming an Architect: A Guide to Careers in Design
http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0471709549.html

Great, thanks for the info.