USC's MArch program is only for people who have an undergraduate degree in architecture, so I'm afraid you won't be eligible to go there. All the others are well respected schools... The advice in this forum that's generally passed on is: look into the research going on at each of the schools, who their faculty are and what they've worked on, what the focus of the program is and see which one seems geared towards your specific interests. Talk to the admissions people and arrange a visit (should be easy for you to visit all of the CA schools since you're already here.) And as far as UCLA, you'll get a good feel for it by going there this summer.

Btw, I'm doing Jump Start at UCLA this summer too. We'll probably meet there. What's your name?

stefjam:

Thanks so much for the heads up. I don't know where I got the idea that USC offered a M.ARCH I program.

The name is Aram, find me on fBook.com/aramhernandez

I think you're right; I need to do some more research. I definitely want to stay in California, unless the program offers me money or the school is worth the move. I think CA offers some good schools. I'm also considering SCI Arch. I visited their campus about two months ago and really liked the layout. The school is a bit small for me, but that might be beneficial for learning purposes. I know that the school is also well connected. BUT of course, SCI Arch is wayyy expensivo. I’m still doing the research, but I definitely feel the heat of the impending application process.

Thanks again for the advice and I will see you at UCLA.

I have a similarish background - did a master's degree in philosophy, then decided not to pursue a phd, considered law, film school and a number of other things but ended up at SCI-Arc because they had the summer program and at that time (maybe they still do this?) you could be accepted right from the summer program with basically no portfolio if your work was good enough!

A few thoughts - your philosophy background will be very useful in architecture, especially if you attend a 'design-focused' school where theory and the genesis of the design are very important. I knew very little about architecture but loved school right from the start of the summer program - it just clicked for me. It appeals to the logical problem solving part of your brain as well as the creative side. I'm not sure how the different programs work now (I finished in 2000) but I would definitely read the catalogs through, see who teaches in all depts, and think about the kind of work you might like to do when you graduate.

That said, if you are considering architecture as a 'real world' alternative to philosophy, you should look into the salaries architects make and how it compares to other professions such as law. I still feel that I would have had as much success in law as I have in architecture (if you can call my very modest success in architecture success), and I think I would probably enjoy different things about it, but I would have a much easier time supporting my family, which in the end really does make a huge difference to your quality of life and really hopes and dreams for your future. You will find lots of rants on this site about architects' pay, and though I would say generally it's not as bad as it sounds after a couple of years, the compensation certainly comes nowhere near what it is for other professions with similar time commitments for grad school and work hours.

I have been thinking about it a lot lately becuase my husband is out of work right now and considering switching careers. He went to SCI-Arc and is a licensed contractor, and has almost finished his architecture exams as well. Of course there is no work out there right now because this is the worst possible economy, but the construction and architecture industries seem especially hard hit by downturns in the economy and it's frankly very depressing esp. when we look at our siblings (my brother an attorney, sister a nurse, sister-in-law does PR for video games), all doing much better in this economy. And we question whether architecture is really worth it.

So I would just say before making any final decisions to try and think a bit ahead to the future. I do enjoy the creatuve aspects to the job, but a LOT of architecture is the same kind of bureaucratic paper pushing and client interaction that you would deal with as an attorney or in many other types of jobs. Something to think about.... I think I did absolutely no research into salaries or job possibilities before I started architecture school, and I wish I had. I don't know that I would have done anything differently, and probably I found the right field, but more research never hurts. There are lots of different kinds of law firms, probably many more than there are types of architecture firms - something to think about.

orhan just finished teaching a studio @ pomona and might be able to give some great insight...

i'd drop USC but only because my dad is an alum and i think the a-school is weaker than several west coast institutions...

that being said, some of my fave profs in school were philosphers, either in previous lives or autodidactic

Wow, Aram, you sound prepared, clear-thinking, reasonable, and driven -- I unfortunately don't have any specific advice for you but I just wanted to come on here and give you kudos for such well-thought-out posts! It's rare and refreshing to see such a calm and well-prepared school advice-seeker around these parts. I know a few philosophy-architecture "cross-breeds" and can say that, from observation at least, in many ways the two seem to complement each other extraordinarily well. Add to that your experience with sculpture (ie, the manipulation of matter in 3dimensions) and I would say that if you can put together a decent portfolio, you'll make a strong candidate for school.

holz.box is right about orhan,

He does have very good insight, particularly because of journalistic skills in addition to his Architectural. He was very inquisitive of myself and a few other classmates conducting sustaianability research, and claimed an article was coming shortly here on Archinect???
Anyways heres a link to his article that explains what Cal Poly pomona is pretty much about, Im a 3rd year M arch student and wish i read this article 3 years ago while applying it would have made my decision easier.
http://www.archinect.com/news/article.php?id=76321_0_24_0_C

As always you must remember that all of the schools you listed have a signifigantly different philosophy to teaching architecture. While I cannot speak for all the schools, this article sums up Cal poly quite well, personally, im very happy here. However One of my classmates came from Berkeley went to pomona, and after one year decied to transfer to Yale, its just about YOUR personal beliefs and interests in Architecture.
Godd Luck.

You're welcome! I'll get in touch with you on facebook.

So there's actually some confusion on my part about whether or not USC offers an MArch for non-architecture undergrads. When I spoke to a USC graduate admissions advisor a couple of years ago, she said they did not offer such a program. I've also spoken with quite a few people who have said the same thing. However, a co-worker of mine showed me their degree options web page today which says:

** Individuals who have a bachelor's degree with a major other than Architecture or Urban Design should seek a 3 year Master of Architecture.

http://arch.usc.edu/Programs/GraduateDegreesandCertificates/MasterofArchitecture

Maybe this is a very recent change to their program. You should call them up to see.

R.A. Rudolph:

Wow! I cannot thank you enough for your advice. Often thinking about the future, especially at a young age, is quite difficult. I know that as part of my decision I should consider the reality of a future job market. Trust me… there are many nights where I cannot sleep thinking about the possibility of not finding a job as an architect. I'm sure like many I have big dreams of designing highly praised buildings that will live on for many generations. While I am aware of the horrible reality and state of the current job market, I cannot let that fear of possible disillusionment deter me from dreaming big. If for some reason in the distant future I find that I am not happy, I'm sure law school will still be an option. I have to remember that I am 21, and in these times it is a lot more common for people to change careers at some point. Nonetheless, I thank you very much for the sound advice and reality check that we big dreamers need sometimes.

holz.box & Jamchar:

Thanks for the links and for the heads up on CalPoly. I will make sure to read the article. I have to confess that I had to click around in order to figure out who this Orhan guy was… I am fairly new to this site.
The great things about CalPoly at this point are their price and location. I grew up 15 minutes north of CalPoly Pomona…and well the price for graduate school there is practically unbeatable. Thanks for the advice.

mantaray:

Sound is the key word here. As noted above, I have a hard time making some decisions. Even after I have informed myself I contemplate options for too long. I think it's something I picked up from reading too much philosophy, but I'll save that for a later conversation. Thank you for your gracious comments; encouragement always helps make the process easier.

stefjam:

So I looked at their site as well, and noticed the same thing you quoted. I just wasn't sure if that meant to look elsewhere or to apply to their 3 year program. In any case, I will call USC and get this figured out once and for all.

Are you all set for next week?

what i can say is my favorite professor was a philosophy undergrad,, good luck

aram, if it makes you feel better, there's been some interesting recent psych studies done on the subject of indecision in the current generation of youth. lots of factors seem to be leading to unprecedented levels of indecision, among which are:
-- unprecedented levels of choice
-- fear of failure (we are taught that every little decision we make sets the tone for the REST OF OUR LIIIIIIIVES... this is strongly reinforced in current parenting techniques... think : "little johnny, you have to get good behaviour marks in your 5th grade class or you won't get into the advanced middle school classes, and then you won't get into the AP high school classes, and then you won't get into the good college, and then and then and then YOU'LL BE A FAILURE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! every decision is proclaimed as momentous.)

So don't feel bad -- we ALL feel indecisive, constantly. That's ok.

The further I get in life, honestly, the more it is slowly beginning to dawn on me that really, you get 2nd chances... and 3rd chances... and 4th and 5th and really life is a constantly mutating path wherein your own goals and interests keep changing and what seemed like absolutely the "right" answer 5 years ago now appears, in retrospect, to be merely one of many possible "right" paths you could have taken. Does this make sense?

If you're having trouble with indecision, always remember that nothing's set in stone, and you can always change your mind later. It may help you to visualize the worst-case scenario for each of your options -- that always helps me.

Hello, I am currently a planner and I am also looking to get my masters in architecture. I figure the best thing to do in a recession is to go to school. I am more interested in schools with an academic and practice-based curriculum like Boston Architectural College, rather then a three year traditional school.

At BAC most students qualify immediately upon graduation to take the examination; however, it take most students approximately 5 years to complete the program!

I wish you luck and if you know of any other schools with a practice-based curriculum, please let me know.

@ NaydiZie - hi, not too sure if you are still on this discussion thread. Anyhow, I stumbled upon this topic and would like to know, what made you decide to make the switch from Planning to Architecure? In terms of salary, how comparable are they? I read that planners do make a decent income, sometimes, much more than architects in general. Also, are there any planners who have set up their own practice? We read often enough that architects usually set up their own practice after some years, but not so for planners. What is your view on this?

@ Bruin2013 - hope you are still receiving updates from this thread. In retrospect, is architecture in line with what you have made it out to be ? And how are you enjoying (or disliking) the journey thus far? Given a choice, would you have reversed your decision?

To all archinecters - please feel free to contribute to the discussion! :) Thanks man.