And yup, it seems that SCI-Arc is not the way then... reading 'Cherith Cutestory', it's exactly what I don't want :/

There are a lot of good programs in the US and your list of Columbia, MIT, Princeton, UCLA, Cornell are all good choices. You stated that you wanted a Master of Science which is different than an Master of Architecture. I don't believe that Princeton, Cornell or UCLA offers an M.S.; I could be wrong.

Obviously research the programs further, look at the work of the students, advice from various sources including current students and decide what work interests you and what do you want to learn. Besides the list that you had, there are other good programs. Don't search based on "rankings" or name. Just my suggestion.

Best of luck

@ctrlZ

yes, screw architecture

funny enough i thought i saw emtech guys at the AA using Arduino.

I dont know enough about sci-arc's emtech course,but im sure its not as great as the AA's. i was referring to sci-arc as whole

Jean-Michel Crettaz... im not in the business of judging or writing off someones ideas in that way, but on first glance you could say there is some bad interpretation of cedric price there

One would think its the responsibility of mainstream architects and the graduates of sci-arc to implement what they've been taught. Its not the school's responsibility. educational systems simply provide the breeding ground for these ideas. many will not make it, some will. they have a right to exist just like Texas A&m or whatever has a right to produce graduates that know how to draw a proper wall section or save the world from theoretical architecture. (which they will probably end up copying from a magazine anyway when it goes mainstream)

But to criticize these institutions for "not making real architecture" i think is really ludicrous. Thom Mayne was not a popular guy when he was at USC, and at some point Gropius was outed by his students at the bauhaus for not doing architecture. this isnt the business of 'solving problems' or 'getting a job', theyre dreaming, and seriously, theres nothing wrong with that.

If we were to get rid of sci-arc somewhere along the line students would want it back, until then, students will keep applying and going just like we see every day on this forum.

speaking as an Emtech grad - there is only one Emtech and its at the AA- if thats what you want why settle for fakes!

I'm not settling for fakes, as I stated in the beggining. AA is great and on folder, but what about U.S.?