give them a call.

as for first year math, not all of them involve calculus. and anyway calculus is easy stuff. we did it at my high school so it can't be THAT hard ;-). there is also numerical mathematics (which was required course in archi-school waybackwhen), and other stuff.

personally i think physics is more useful because it will introduce you to vectors and basic statics. however, just for the record architects seldom use complex mathematics in daily life. and even less in school. so don't sweat it.

my guess is that if they really want you to have a particular course they will ask you to take it in 1st year or in summer school to catch up. easiest way to find out is to just call and talk to someone in the faculty.

Hi,

I just got into the UBC M.Arch program and I didn't take any math, physic or any science courses during my undergrad studies, plus I did my undergrad in political science, which has nothing to do with art and design, so I think there is a lot of flexibility as long as you possess a good GPA, an excellent portfolio and show passion. Good luck.

Wow, thanks. I think I'm still going to take physics next year just for good measure, but that's basically the kind of reassurance i was looking for. So since you got in, I was wondering what exactly set you apart from the rest of the crowd (or as far as you can tell)? Do you have your portfolio online, or as a pdf?

Thank for the help, both of you, I'm pretty bent on getting into UBC because of their sustainability/green agenda, the beauty of the city and campus and of course, getting out of Toronto. Hopefully I'll see u there in a year and a half, lol.

Hi,

If you are good at sciences, I suggest you take some courses in it. UBC only looks at the grades of your third and fourth year level courses, so make sure that the courses you chose in your final years are going to keep or bump your GPA as high as possible. I think they are really strict if you don't meet the cut off mark, but you do now at 3.3, so make sure you keep it at 3.3 or above.

I've never seen the portfolios of other successful applicants this year, so I'm not exactly sure what set me apart. I come from a very non-art related B.A., and I initially thought it would be a disadvantage, but I think it has actually helped me because it's very rare (I think) for someone who studied politics would go into architecture. Well, from my experience, people just give me a "huh?" look when I tell them about my transition. But I've been drawing, drafting and painting since I was a kid, so make sure you include sketches, I think they like the kinds where people are in it, walking about in an urban area environment/setting.

Btw, I did my first year of undergrad at York, York is nice so enjoy your last few semesters! :-D

Good luck!

Thanks for the portfolio insight and advice. I'm most concerned about it since it's on of the most important parts. I've honestly been thinking about this non-stop since last October and I think i might be over contemplating/stressing out for no reason.

So i assume you accepted the UBC offer? or did you get into other schools as well and choose somewhere else?

oh, btw, I wonder if we're talking about the same York University...maybe u didn't hear about our 3+ month strike, ha! of course, i love my program, but this administration is just messed up.

Thanks again!

Start as early as you can on your portfolio because when you're in undergrad school and doing it at the same time (as I did), your time is so limited and everything will get so hectic near the deadline date.

I only applied to two schools: Pratt and UBC, and got into both. The decision was very hard because I really love NYC, but the tuition was still too expensive even with a scholarship, so I didn't want to be destroyed by debt after I graduate so I chose UBC (I like them both equally and did tons of research on both schools).

LOL I forgot about York's strike, didn't they have a a strike just a few years ago? Damn. :-S