It is impossible to rank schools.

I haven't heard from the GSD but the more I think about it, the more I realize that MIT is the best school for someone with my background. My essay was about how I don't fit in at MIT and therefore have the most to learn and to contribute there.

It is clear that they are very different schools. Consider the two department descriptions:

http://architecture.mit.edu/about-the-department.html
http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/academic/arch/

Also, MIT has fewer "stars" but the people who are there really give it a specific direction. One of them is Nader Tehrani, Office dA Principal: http://vimeo.com/6044941?hd=1

Two things that would tilt the balance are financial aid and the possibility of AP (a 2.5-year program).

Razvan, I would first of all urge you to visit the schools. That said, I would highly recommend going to Princeton.

It offers the best of both worlds. A very small school with some really great professors, and a flexible program. You will get an extremely thorough theoretical background, learn digital/fabrication/building techniques from some of the best people, and finish it off with a thesis supervised by Liz Diller. Close enough to New York to attract the awesome crowd, but far away to be a seriously academic place.

The only negative is that the town is sort of like Hogwarts -- quiet and in the middle of nowhere. But both New York and Philadelphia are an hours ride away. There is a train station on campus.

Is anyone attending the WUSTL open house, April 8 - 10? Or the Oregon open house, April 12th?

Oh one more thing: Gund Hall is so sexy.

And just a few steps away, one of my all time favorite buildings, the Carpenter Center.

Razwan (or anyone who got into Princeton)

From the above posts, I see you are thinking whether to attend Princeton or not. You seem to have a lot of other good choices.

A crit who graduated from Princeton told me the following: the best about the program at Princeton is it's extremely small size. However, when compared to MIT, GSD or GSAPP, it's a lot more theoretical than experimental. Lot more reading and research based than design stuff. But if you are lucky among the few who get accepted to Princeton and chose to go there, you can probably get a full ride from them, at least for the 2nd and 3rd year.

waqas, I haven't visited there so I had no idea how Princeton is like, but your description made me soo excited to go there! I haven't heard from the GSD yet and spending uneasy days but that keeps me away from being nervous about rejection from the GSD! Thanks!

i agree with waqas on MIT.
As I'm waiting for news from GSD, I got to look through their curriculum, research labs and I'm really excited about the next 3.5 years at MIT. The practicality of the projects and interesting elective classes from other departments (although we only get a few, only after the first three semesters of set schedules) are very enticing. And the large fellowship package is something I cannot pass, but as you mentioned, the only thing that's going to top this over is the 2.5 AP and larger fellowship.

Wait, does anyone know whether Harvard sends the material to the address listed in the actual Application Form (under "Current Address") or instead the address listed in the "Update Account" page (at the top of the Embark system)? I only listed a temporary address in the latter and forgot to update it. But I guess they still send to the address listed in the Application Form, right?

Wait, does anyone know whether Harvard sends the material to the address listed in the actual Application Form (under "Current Address") or instead the address listed in the "Update Account" page (at the top of the Embark system)? I only listed a temporary address in the latter and forgot to update it. But I guess they still send to the address listed in the Application Form, right?

Wait, does anyone know whether Harvard sends the material to the address listed in the actual Application Form (under "Current Address") or instead the address listed in the "Update Account" page (at the top of the Embark system)? I only listed a temporary address in the latter and forgot to update it. But I guess they still send to the address listed in the Application Form, right?

Wait, does anyone know whether Harvard sends the material to the address listed in the actual Application Form (under "Current Address") or instead the address listed in the "Update Account" page (at the top of the Embark system)? I only listed a temporary address in the latter and forgot to update it. But I guess they still send to the address listed in the Application Form, right?

Questionable -
it would be great if you could email me the design intelligence e-book
i know its not a good idea to base ones decisions solely on rankings, but it'll help as a reference nonetheless

thanks for your views on MIT, i am still having a hard time deciding
(gsd vs mit)

the MIT program is 3.5 years too, whereas the GSD says its 3.5 but a lot of the alums have told me no one really does it in 3.5 - most people take 4 years

in any case, i am leaning towards the gsd just cus they gave me AP

actually, mit called my office again the other day, i had Ana Miljacki on the phone (faculty) and i ask her why they didn't give me AP (it would have made a big difference in my decisions..) and she said that she finds students with non ap actually doing better then the students with ap after a while - i don't doubt her...

i am told that mit is going through an exciting time of change - with a lot of new faculty from the gsd (one of the more well known ones being Nader) - however, i am also told that because of this.. things tend to be disorganized

btw hellraiser -

the gsd sent my package to the address listed in the actual Application Form

voneckht,

since you have visited the school and the open house, and as far as i remember you've also talked to richard plunz. can you tell some about the program, school, anything you can comment on GSAPP MAUD..

the program is my top choice bec it is in new york. on the other hand, i hesitate because the program is short. i have been exchange student when i was undergrad and one year didn't work for me thoughly.

also waiting news from gsd, mit.

QUestionable:

If you could email me the design intelligence ebook that would be sweet.

Also to everyone:

google "Cramer Report Architecture" and click on the first link that comes up,
great little page showing the different 'tiers' of architecture schools, aka

Highest distinction, high distinction, significant distinction, and distinction.

It is by design intelligence and I like it much better than the top ten because it shows almost all schools. I would link but for some reason it only works by going through google.

And GSD is the birthplace of that "Pimp my model" video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0BmB1qV6A8

Also, trying to rank schools is stupid. It seems most rankings lists are an ivy circle jerk, but what is considered a "top school" may not be a "top school for you".

And the rankings don't even begin to cover the different focuses and programs and nuances of each school, as people have said before.

If a list were to not consider the traditionally top-ranked schools (the ivies, ut austin, blah blah) then the lists might show a better picture of the graduate programs. we already know what the "best of the best" supposedly are.

adavin it says i have to be a design intelligence subscriber to view it... and i was mildly curious as to what the schools i applied to are described as.

he Cramer Report: America’s World-Class Schools of Architecture

We at DesignIntelligence are frequently pulled into discussions and get questions from university faculty, firm leaders, students, and administrators about the quality of those programs that might be just below the top 20 ranked architecture programs. As a trial analysis to celebrate the 10th annual DesignIntelligence schools rankings, we have assembled a list of architecture programs that have distinguished themselves over the years by virtue of several important criteria.

This report uses multidimensional rankings that are based on five criteria: current rankings by professional practices; historic 10-year rankings by professional practices; rankings by academic department deans and chairs; overall campus environment and student evaluations; and program accreditation. (See methodology notes on the next page for more detail.) The maximum possible score is 485, and the top scores ranged from 435 to 477 to be included on this list.

We recognize that some of the schools that didn’t make the world-class distinction are, in fact, the preferred recruiting locations of some professional practices. Such schools tend to be smaller, newer, or more remote geographically, and therefore receive less attention by our survey respondents.

We offer this list of world-class U.S. architecture programs to stimulate conversation about the pursuit of excellence in higher education and to celebrate and recognize programs we believe to be world-class. We welcome ideas about improving this analysis. For example, should Architect Registration Exam pass rates be a criterion? Alumni evaluations? DesignIntelligenceis committed to continuous improvement our rankings. Please e-mail feedback to jcramer@di.net

With Highest Distinction

Schools in this category received scores of 468 to 477. The total score achieved by each school is noted after its name.

Auburn University (471)

Calif. Polytechnic State U., San Luis Obispo (474)

Carnegie Mellon University (468)

Columbia University (477)

Cornell University (474)

Harvard University (477)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (474)

Princeton University (468)

University of Cincinnati (469)

University of Michigan (471)

University of Texas at Austin (474)

University of Virginia (471)

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State U. (477)

Washington University in St. Louis (468)

Yale University (477)

With High Distinction

Schools in this category received scores of 455 to 467.

Arizona State University (456)

Boston Architectural College (455)

Clemson University (455)

Cooper Union (459)

Georgia Institute of Technology (456)

Iowa State University (455)

Kansas State University (464)

Pratt University (458)

Rhode Island School of Design (466)

Rice University (466)

Syracuse University (467)

Texas A&M University (461)

University of California, Berkeley (464)

University of Minnesota (456)

University of Oregon (459)

University of Pennsylvania (463)

With Notable Distinction

Schools in this category received scores of 441 to 453.

Illinois Institute of Technology (448)

Mississippi State University (441)

North Carolina State University (453)

Ohio State University (441)

Oklahoma State University (441)

Pennsylvania State University (453)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (444)

Southern Calif. Institute of Architecture (441)

University of Arizona (451)

University of Arkansas (441)

University of California, Los Angeles (446)

University of Florida (441)

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (445)

University of Kansas (453)

University of New Mexico (443)

University of Notre Dame (453)

University of Southern California (453)

University of Washington (450)

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (443)

With Distinction

Schools in this category received scores of 435 to 440.

Ball State University (435)

California College of the Arts (438)

California State Polytechnic U., Pomona (438)

Florida A&M University (435)

Howard University (435)

Montana State University (435)

New Jersey Institute of Technology (435)

North Dakota State University (436)

Parsons The New School for Design (438)

Savannah College of Art and Design (440)

Texas Tech University (440)

Tulane University (435)

University of Hawaii (436)

University of Houston (435)

University of Maryland (435)

University of Miami (435)

University of Nebraska (440)

University of Oklahoma (435)

University of Tennessee-Knoxville (435)

University of Texas at Arlington (435)

Washington State University (438)

ADavin & praxis99... what's your email address, so I can send the e-book !

Praxis99:
Congrats ! That is a tough choice. Didn't know MIT was 3.5 years too. There are a lot of similarities between both the programs and a lot of stuff overlap too. I like how they both let students cross register with each other ! Probably being at the open house for both might be a good idea.

That's pretty interesting. Still difficult to quantify what makes programs good, but this is getting closer. Once you get past the Highest Distinction category... where ASU and UPenn are in the same category.

i mean "... and to where ASU and UPenn..."
since they're in high distinction...

okay im done commenting for now.

jaded,

The program seems very unique compared to others similar to it. It obviously revolves heavily around using NYC (and it's various locales/dynamics) as an urban study model of sorts. Plunz seems like a great guy. Very low key but down to earth and very passionate about what the program is about. He came in personally and spoke one on one with several students and answered a slew of questions (some unnecessary) about various concerns.

One thing I learned was that most of the work tends to be collaborative unlike MSAAD where it's more about individual concepts. I think my favorite aspect of the program is that it starts out sort of introverted (looking at NYC) and then moves to a regional city, then finally looks at the global picture with an International city.

It's really 1.5 year with summer but yea GSD's is 2. I think they're just completely different philosophies. Better for $$ anyway!

hope this helps.....good luck!

unbelievable, i gave GSD incomplete postal address!
in the embark system, my address is complete, but at the applicant copy of the form, it is incomplete!
super blind!!

thanks for the info voneckht,

the program seems to have a particular focus, that is nice to direct students. on the other hand, it is without thesis, lacking for me to pursue doctoral studies.
which schools have you applied?

I also applied to Harvard's MAUD and Berkeley's MUD

AghhhhhhhhHHHIIII just got accepted to cornell!

Congrats Mountain Boy thats siiiiiiiiiiiiiiick!

Thanks, Im freaking out...

MountainBoy congrats. How did you learn it ?

congrats mountainboy!

In @ Cornell!!!!

congrats!

Email.. It couldn't of happened at a better time. I'm leaving for the airport for Nicaragua right now. Good luck y'all and congrats to all the acceptances!

good luck with Nicaragua...

Mountain boy.. did you recieve $ (if you dont mind sharing)? Mine stated: "At the present time there is no financial assistance
available. However, we do expect that some funding may be allocated in the upcoming months." is that a Cornell-wide thing, or just based on my application?

thanks, and congrats man!!

nevermind, I think it's just me.. damn, thats awesome.. they gave me adv standing which is great, but that's would be expensive!

OMG I also got accepted to Cornell March1 AP.

lol villian that is pretty much the standard "we dont want to give you money" response for all schools, I think. if they mention it at all.

ahhhh in at Cornell m.arch1 AP also!! with 25K!!

ah gotcha Li Dan.. that's what I figured. looks like I wont be going to Cornell with that tuition!

Wow just got a call from UNC Charlotte. They want me for the new dual masters in urban design degree / 2 year MArch program & full tuition waiver + assistantship for 2 years.

Wonder if I can leverage for an assistantship from Clemson?


blah blah blah people here only care about the ivies :p

no way man.. that's awesome! If I got a full ride, anywhere, it'd be very hard to turn down

it is awesome and I would LOVE an urban design degree. almost more than the architecture + health thingy from Clemson.

Unless UPenn makes a huge mistake and offers me a full ride too (lol yah right) UNCC sounds pretty sweet

@mugged and @thevillain Yes my wife and I both got into UMich and will be there for the open house...

what is everyones oppinion of UMich?

For any Alumni or Current students is there a specific person to make sure to impress at the open?

Congrats on UNCC!

They started out as my back up program, but after visiting last fall I decided i really like the program, great vibe going on there. I still have to wait and hear from two more schools, but Charlotte is sounding pretty good right now.

nickbailey: I really really like UofM's program. especially the fact that it'll be roughly 1/3 the tuition of gsapp's for me (you can probably detect a financial-theme throughout my posts).

I was accepted to the 2g program and right now I'm having mixed feelings about it. Yes, it'd be great to skip a year, but on the other hand I almost feel like that wont be enough time. 2.5 years would be ideal for me. any thoughts on this from fellow AP applicants?

IN AT CORNELL!!!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT.. this is a great day already