If you cannot afford GSAPP then it could be an unpleasant experience.

UMichigan is not as famous as Harvard/Yale/Columbia internationally, but it is just as good (some would say better) for landing a job in the USA. If people like you don't go to Michigan and go back to their home country, then how will its international reputation improve? You have the power, be strong.

same dilemma as yours.

i was really impressed with michigan's facility. Wood, metal shop is large. You can pretty much build anything. Several laser cutters which some are open to students 24 hrs everyday. Based on pin-ups, it was clear that students took advantage of these resources; many creative models, hand drawings and computer renderings. This being said, I felt that many of the projects displayed were floofy? Though conceptual ideas may be good, the link to making a project "real" was missing on some projects. This is just my opinion though. There's also great faculty there, and many of the students seemed to enjoy their other classes as well.

one thing i'm trying to figure out is if penn has the global reputation that gsapp has. any thoughts?

flap: what is your specific interest in studying architecture? Besides cost and location, there are a lot of differences between these three programmes.

That being said, I'm in the same boat as you are. At the moment, I'm leaning towards Penn. My interest lies somewhere near the intersection of urban design/, landscape design & architectural design. Penn offered me admission into both the MARCH (advanced placement) and MLA along with a pretty decent scholarship.

plattenbau: I'm an March II applicant and as you know it is only 1yr program in Upenn. To be honest, I leaned toward Princeton and Harvard -people said that my portfolio was there style -. But, I got an admission from Upenn and Columbia shockingly!! I think study abroad is not for doing I'm good at, but for learning I'm not good at and finding my potential abilities. So I decided learn more that I'm not good at and thanks god for giving me such opportunities - After I got admission from three schools, I was sad.. becuase Princeton is my dream school-

I'm also interested in Landscape like you, however, I applied only March II. At that time I was completely confused by all procceses that I've gone through so I didn't think about a dual degree. I know Upenn offers students a dual degree after they admitted. However, I don't know in my case..I'm March II :( I asked them that I can change my program into March I and a dual degree . And If they say OK, then I will be going Upenn!!

Columbia is very good school though.. I want to go there and learn from good faculties. However, $$ is more than I thought, right now :(

I don't know what is the best chioce.. I just want to make a choice that I will not regret :)

Thanks for your comment!!


birdie : GSAPP>> Upenn>Michigan grobal reputation!

Upenn is one of the ivy leagues.. However, in my country people don't know Upenn is a ivy or name of Upenn :( they know Harvard, Pronceton, Yale, Columbia, Cornell is ivy leagues and of course they think these are the best school.


Arciheboy : do you decide your mind??


10 : except money problem, then do you think GSAPP is best??



thirsty : Oh.. I want to see school like you OTL..... online is not enough...

@flap1004

can i ask if you hold a 5 year professional b.arch?