I can't really comment on the quality of the program, but i have heard the architecture school is moving into a new building next year. so, that's a positive.

Im in the same boat, I applied to CCNY blindly just because of the low cost (compared to the other Ivy's, etc) and the fact that I want to move to NYC (from TX). Its now between CCNY, Syracuse, and Northeastern.

i emailed the admissions coordinator and asked if there would be an open house. she said no because they are switching buildings this summer (i'm not sure that's a good excuse, but anyway). she said i can schedule a day to sit in on a class so i'll probably do that at least.

I agree with you both, i feel like the program is pretty strong and for the price you cant beat it. To be honest I feel that all the arch programs in the city are similar in the sense that they all share the same facility, and the fact that there is a new building is just a plus cause i feel l like the old facilities is what probably drew people away in the first place.

Are both of you planning on attending for fall 09?? MArch 1??

Oh and sspringer i grew up in NY and you dont want to be in Syracuse for 3 years, its freezing up there with absolutely nothing to do and no culture, just my opinion...

Yes, M.Arch I this fall. Its turning into a pretty difficult decision...I have a few profs saying Syracuse or NE, but others saying CCNY simply since its in the city and thats where I want to be. I have considered contacting some firms in the area and trying to get a feel for the reputations and such. Unfortunately my plan of waiting to see how much financial aid I get before I decide is now mute, as Syracuse has changed their policy so that you must commit and make a down payment before the dept of arch decides on aid.

Wish they gave us more time...It would have been nice to be able to make it up there to visit the campuses, since Ive only been to NYC a few times and never to Syracuse.

Hey if you find anything out during your search with any NYC firms let me know what they say. To be honest ive been working in the industry for five years or so on the structural side and it really doesnt matter where you went to school as long as you can get shit done.

Im sure its different for Arch firms but i feel that CCNY is well respected in the prof world so im not worrying about it. Plus in this economy how can anyone even think of paying 40k / year just for tuition.

If you decide to go to CCNY drop me a line, good luck with your decision!

Where are you from?

I agree...my prof knew a guy who just graduated from MIT last Dec and cant get a job...so why bother paying for a name these days??
I am going to make some calls next week and Ill let you know what I hear.

BTW, im from Texas...finishing my undergrad at A&M

i'd be going for MLA1. I'm about to email someone who goes to CCNY for his MLA. if i find out anything about the architecture program or the school in general, i'll be sure to post it here.

Where are the better places to live there? Ive been looking in the areas just around CCNY and find lots of decent deals, but Ive read alot that its not a good place to live...

I cant spend more than 1200-1300 a month MAX

sspringer - Its hard for me to say since i was born and raised here but for someone that is coming from out of town the area around CCNY (Washington Heights) is generally viewed as one of the more dangerous neighborhoods in NYC.

If you ask me NYC is pretty much a joke (were not in the 80's or early 90's anymore and Bloomberg is the mayor not Koch or Dinkins) there's really no crime and its safe anywhere you go so in that sense i think the heights is fine to live in but i could see why a lot of people wouldn't want to live there. Due to the lack of social venues like restaurants and good shops etc...although the heights definitely has its unique blend of things you can find there and no where else in the city.

On the other hand 1300 dollars is not going to get you anywhere without a roommate the cost of living here is very expensive. If you want to live in a decent space and be alone for that price your going to have no other choice but to live in a less desirable area like the south Bronx, Harlem or similar areas. You might get lucky and find a good deal in Brooklyn in areas like greenpoint or Williamsburg for 1300 but then you have to take the commute into consideration (probably like 45 on the subway), although you might be able to find a very small box to live in around the columbia area (116th street on the west side).

To be honest you might be better off living by school cause youll eliminate the commute and be close to school. Another thing i can tell you about CCNY is that its like a commuter school is not like a syracuse or a northeastern or a school that has nothing else going on around it so people tend to hang out with people from school and whatnot. And since its up on 145th street not to many people hang out around there most people hang out down town which is like 30 min subway ride away so you wont have the whole college experiences going on here if your looking for that. At this point in life your probably not.

Just trying to share all the info i can, good luck finding a place, if you need help or suggestions drop me a line!

Thanks milkoner that helps alot...Ive found a few decent places around CCNY and (thank you Street View haha) they seem fine..one is literally across the street, you can see campus from the window.

Ive also found a few spots in Midtown West and around Columbia, only problem is Im not moving until the latter part of this summer, so Im sure those will be gone by then. But I now know a few good appt. websites to keep tabs on for when I get ready, I assume Ill just have to go up there and stay in a cheap hotel a day or two so I can actually look before I commit. Im almost certain now CCNY is where im going, I just cant get past the fact that SO many people really hate the city of Syracuse, and regardless of how good it is as a school, I really want to be somewhere I would enjoy life beyond architecture (what little there is lol). Ive hated where I live ever since I got here and dont think I could stand to go somewhere and do it all over again even just for 2 years.

Im still going to contact some firms in NYC next week about CCNY, Ill let you know what I hear.

sspringer -

will you be paying the 'non resident' tuition?

care to share the "good appt. websites" you found?

Yes, non resident...fortunately thats still decent compared to everyone else.

The sites I found are:

http://www.nycdwellers.com/
http://www.campusrent.com/new_york_apartments.cfm

Ok so after talking with a few firms in NYC, they all unanimously agreed that CCNY is an excellent school, especially if you want to work in NYC. However, for me, they said that I shouldnt pass up an opportunity to study at a school like Syracuse, if nothing else than for the name and connections beyond NY. So...that lends me to really lean towards Syracuse, but Im still not completely sold yet...well see

Springer, I wanted to follow up on one of your earlier comments stating that "Syracuse has changed their policy so that you must commit and make a down payment before the dept of arch decides on aid." That sounds totally ridiculous!

Unless a prospective student is independently wealthy, financial aid is a HUGE part of the decision-making process for grad school. Especially in the current economic climate, I would think twice about taking on the kind of debt a three-year program at a private university will require. I would also think long and hard about what your future earnings might be and also figure out what the monthly debt service would be if you financed it 100%.

And frankly, although Syracuse is a good school, you won't walk out of there with a diploma from a school that has the same cache as one of the Ivies, where perhaps the long-term networking connections and brand name are worth the long-term debt.

Of course, all bets are off if, in the end, you get a generous aid package. However, it seems like the school will have less incentive to be generous once you've committed.

Just my two cents....

I totally agree with the firms you spoke with, and im starting to realize how biased i actually am because i just couldnt imagine myself anywhere else in the U.S. but NYC.

So for me it makes sense to go to city because ill be working here after school and during school as well, and as far as the other schools such as pratt, parsons and columbia i just thought they were to expensive for my taste. But i totally agree i think cuse is an excellent school and would def be worth it if you can survive the next 3 years up there. Cause outside of NY i dont think many people will know a lot about the program at CCNY.

If you find anything else out keep me posted and ill do the same as well. Oh one last thing how did you find out about your acceptance to CCNY, by letter, email, phone?? I found out by phone but i never received a letter yet so just wanted to see if that was strange...

Yeah I just got an email from the advisor but never a real letter....seems weird to me...

Looks like my decision has been made for me, as I found out that Syracuse architecture gives all their grad students major scholarships after the 1st year, and I was accepted with advanced standing so I dont have to take everything over again.

So, alas, NYC will have to wait 2.5 years for my arrival...lets all hope the economy is better by then.

Ha. Thats awesome, good luck dude!!

I can give you one suggestion, Please see the reviews on what you need Just do a search in Google or any other search Engine, You find an ans for your question...

New York City Apartments

I was thinking about applying to CCNY (Urban Design Program) until I spoke with a fiend who does the hiring for a well-respected firm in the city. He said that his office doesn’t hire CCNY grads. They just don’t do it.

The general impression I am getting from people is that the school is OK, but not great. Not to say there is anything wrong with an OK school. I graduated from an OK school and got a great education in the process.

The price, faculty, and new facilities are what initially drew me to the school, but in the end I think the reputation is what is going to keep me from applying.

iheartbooks - can you elaborate on your comment? i am a third year m.arch student at ccny so i am curious to know which "well-respected" firm doesn't hire ccny grads.