it's really a very subjective question. what is the best school for me may not be the best school for you.

wow, 9th grade! pretty early start to be thinking about college.

you have plenty of time to really research and make your decision. make a list of 5-10 schools you're interested in and do your research. visit them if you can. the studio culture is very important, and it's something that can't really be conveyed in a brochure.

The University of Florida School of Architecture hosts a Design Exploration Program for high school students (16yrs or older) each Summer. There may be a university in your state/city that offers such a program. Attending will give you a sense of what you would be getting yourself into. One of these programs will likely help to improve:
your critical/analytical thinking skills,
your ability to generate and develop concepts,
your understanding of the basic elements of design,
and your capability with various methods of representation...
...all tools that will help you with portfolio or design-talent based admissions (vs. admissions that are based on GPA, test scores and letters of intent alone).

Also, taking part in one of these programs may simply teach you that design school isn't for you...it certainly isn't for everyone.

Best of luck!

thank you :]

May I suggest you visit the website -- www.archcareers.org --. It is dedicated to help you and others learn about the process of becoming an architect. It highlights what you should do at each stage, 1) education, 2) experience, and 3) exam.

It provides links to the two websites listing accredited programs and provides a list of all of the over 50 summer programs available for high school students.

Also, try to secure a mentor to guide you through this process.

Best.

where are you, aljon? there are probably other programs like the fla wherever you are, and there are probably locals - architects, instructors, or other - who would be happy to help you find the best path for yourself.

i live in vancouver BC Canada :]
...not in the states though ... T.......T

but still open to the thought of going to a school there :D anywhere in fact

ask questions of whomever you can, get a summer job as print-room kid and runner, research schools online (like check out the school blogs here and then compare the comments to the schools' own information provided on their sites), etc

you might get some tips if you find out who is running this:
http://www.aibc.ca/pub_resources/aibc_outreach/architects_in_school.html

the program might not be available at your school, but the organizer(s) are likely to be helpful to someone interested in pursuing architecture. i know many architects here in my city are very glad to be mentors.

check out the schools close to home - at least for the undergrad part of your education. later, once you know more what to look for, you can pick a grad school based on that knowledge.

after all, this ain't bad: http://www.sala.ubc.ca/

>>in an architecture firm<<.

I am aiming for the best right now. Even though im not sure I would get in because these are very prestigious schools (apparently) and require talented people to even have there application seen. I am looking on advice from people to tell about these schools; whether its good or bad. Anything if very much appreciated.

My list:
Columbia university
Cornell university
SCI-Arch
The Cooper Union
McGill University
UBC - SALA


I had also tried to look for any firms who would let me be a print room kid or runner but i haven't had any luck what so ever. In any tips please do comment. :]


Thank you SOO MUCH :]

aljon.

An important thing to consider is if you want to do architecture in undergraduate or in graduate, or both. In the US, there are accredited and non-accredited programs, i'm pretty sure its similar in Canada. An "accredited" B.Arch is 5 years, and "non-accredited" B.A. or B.S. in Architecture is 4 years. B.Arch is architecture from straight up the first class you take in college. B.A. or B.S. programs tend to have more general requirements (flexibility in what classes to take across fields). You would have to go for a M.Arch afterwards if you do non-accredited to be a licensed "architect". Both works, both have its pros and cons.

Probably good to check UBC, but UW in Seattle (hey, 3 hour drive!) has an Into to Architecture summer program. Its for people that are wondering what architecture and studio is all about, talk to people, and get a feel for the programs here.

My advise would be to rack up experience (work, internships, mentorships, art classes, sculpture, photography, sketching) in the next two years, talk to people, and then figure out if architecture is right for you. You don't have to choose for another couple years.

McGill isn't that big of a deal for architecture apparently and it's harder to do your m.arch there if you didn't do your b.arch i heard, which sounds weird, i need to check that up, even if I love Montreal and McGill, I've heard that Waterloo and UofT grad schools tops McGill's.

I guess the Cooper is a good shot for canadians if you plan it right, but otherwise an undergrad in the US, it's sounds like to much of a hassle.

I figured out that I wanted to do architecture when I was in 8th grade, I wound up taking 4 years of drafting courses in high school on DOS based Autocad R12.....looking back I really wish I would have spent that time taking Art/Drawing classes...

Drafting DOES NOT EQUAL Architecture

My analogy is with writing; if you wanted to be a writer, you would not take typing or wordprocessing classes. Typing does not make you a better writer in the same way that drafting does not make you a better architect.

cool. thanks for the advices.
....
how do I get an internship in a firm exactly?

May I suggest you ask your question of Dr. Architecture via -- www.archcareers.org -- On the homepage, there is a link to send an email to him with your questions.

Thanks!