Where did you study your undergrad and what are you looking for in a masters program? Although I haven't studied at either institution, the DIA and Mendrisio appear to be two very different schools.

USI looks to be typically "Swiss", while the DIA is definitely more aligned with digital fabrication, non-linear-geometry, algorithmic design, scripting, etc.

A quick perusal of the staff at both schools reveals the differences pretty quickly.

Also what is it about these two schools specifically that interests you? There are plenty of other European institutions that are more aligned with each school.

DIA is housed at the Bauhaus but this is the only "+" it has from it as I was told. Actually it has nothing to do with BH.

Taking in advance the amount of fees in USI I can say that you should look through the other uni's, esp. ETH Swiss Federal Institute Of Technology, which also is based in Zurich.

^ I don't think it's necessarily that simple soulofautumn. Neil Leach, Dendra, the two architects from SPAN, Lars Spuyboek,etc. could all be very fruitful instructors / critics depending on what you're interested in.

As I alluded to in my first post though, the schools are very very different. Search for DIA in flickr and you'll come up with some shots of rapid-prototyped models and computer generated images, while the USI Mendriso boasts about their trained violin-maker who will assist you in building your architectural models (seriously!).

To be honest, given the amount of talk dedicated to schools like Columbia, Penn, Sci-ARC, UCLA, AA, Bartlett, etc. on this website, I think a lot of students would find the Swiss sisters of USI, EPFL, and ETH-Z, to be extremely conservative and/or technical. Not saying that's a bad thing (I'm considering applying to ETH for 2010 myself), but it's just a different approach to architectural education than many are accustomed to in North America.

As for fees, USI is significantly more than most schools in continental Europe. Good luck getting into those schools without a certificate of German level C-1 though. The ones open to more international students know this and charge accordingly.

IamGray: I have a bachelor of arch from Cooper Union, and I think either choice would be quite the departure from method of education I am used to (graduated 3 years ago)
I didn't realized DIA would be so computer driven, from what I've read and seen, outside of that flickr page, the program came of as one with a lot of emphasis on research, and looking into the director of the program, its surprising that there would be such emphasis on the digital...but then again the rest of the faculty points to that....

DIA's program is actually in English, and USI's language of instruction is Italian, though they have an english studio as well.

By the sounds of it, USI's leanings towards the "craft of architecture" appeals more to me...though at the same time I feel DIA does have a connection to the Bauhaus that is more that its location, and this is a strong draw for me.

I was lucky enough to get into both these programs and I am trying to decide. The money factor is an issue, but relative to the cost of education here, I feel it could be justified...

Regarding language of tuition, I realize that DIA is English and USI is Italian. I was suggesting that USI charges more for tuition because they don't require a test of language proficiency upon entrance (unlike most of the cheaper options in Europe which obviously require a university-level knowledge of German / French / Dutch etc.... note how most of the English speaking schools charge more). I can understand however how it could be understood as me saying those courses were conducted in German.

And Cooper Union eh? I think you're correct in saying that either school would be a departure for you. That being said, I'm really only going off of what (little) information is available on the interweb.

Have you contacted any of the faculty at either of these schools? Surely there's someone you're interested in working with. What about current students? Contact the school and see if there is a student group / organization and try to get the emails of the president, etc.

When do you have to make a final decision?

hey rmers, have you made a decision yet - USI v. DIA?

I'm interested in the DIA Master's, which I've just found out about. Looks interesting. For me, I'm weighing Sci-Arc and DIA...some similiarities, lot of difference, yet I still don't have enough information about DIA to come to a definitine conclusion.

Pros for DIA seem to be really tuition-wise, studying in Germany (L.A.'s fun, but Dessau probably is more liveable (planning-wise), and good faculty.

I have many reservations, as well: it's a relatively new program, don't know how the school/degree will fare in the U.S. I'm interested in digital fab and new production technologies, but don't know if the DIA program is too heavily vested in the algorithimic/scripting side without a lot of substance beneath it.

I shave read the other relevant threads as well as Daniel da Rocha's blog project for archinect...but still would like more insight.

Anyone care to share?

I knew people at both schools and, as everyone else said, judging from their projects you almost couldn't get more different approaches (at least in Europe).

In Mendrisio (USI), especially if you want to work with Zumthor, the emphasis is on conceptual work and model making (anything from wood to concrete) whereas the people I know at DIA spend most of their time scripting and have a more object approach to architecture (I think there are some visiting professors from the AA);

Both of them are in small towns - I've only been to Mendrisio so I can't really compare. Also USI has scholarships if you have a GPA high enough - you should email them and ask.