I wouldn't mess with it if I were you. If you were going to specialize in anything before going into Architecture, I would make it something like fine art... Artistic ability is a big bonus when you are putting together a portfolio for architecture admissions, drafting not at all. Other than a basic familiarity with CAD there is no real need to mess with it until you are actually working. Anything you can take to get your creative processes going will pay off big time down the road. Drawing classes are great, the more skills you get earlier the better. Apart from that be aware of where you are looking to head for your Arch degree. Most schools have a progression of studios that cannot be skipped. If you are looking to save some $$ by getting your core done at a CC you might be in for a surprise when you discover you will still need 5 more years of classes for a BArch depending on the school.

Good luck

I studied at a community college for 2 years and had to start as a freshman with architecture. Although it was nice to not have to take the general education classes.

I second Gabriel, I couldn't think of a bigger waste of resources than a drafting degree. Any artistic skills you can pick up would be super helpful but it need not be your major. I studied psychology and that has been super helpful in understanding people in space. Philosophy would also be great, so would English. The important thing is to do something you enjoy. You may even find that architecture is not your thing.

See if you can go into 3rd year in Arch school. Illinois offers this through several schools.

It's one of the best bargains out there

it's a waste of time. comm coll will not prepare you for the rigor required in arch school. many colleges tell you that getting a 2 yr degree that transfers to a 5 yr prog, but unless you speak with the 5 yr prog directly you may get screwed.

Architecture is more than just drafting with with autocad...

CAD should be learned AFTER you take basic classes in fine arts, intro design studios... Sketching and thinking on paper are crucial to a good architect-to-be. Many older architects say, and I agree, that autoCAD limits you severely in your creativity and ability to come up with innovative solutions for a design. You get too caught up in lineweights and proper documentation techniques after a while and forget why you got into architecture in the first place. Do not, for a second, think that CAD comes/should come first in architecture, unless you want crank out generic room layouts for the rest of your life.

no

alright, well im guessing JackT wont be coming back as you guys have laid the pretentious archi-vibe on pretty heavy....

i tend to agree with OR that cad should be learned later on in an architects training... but i dont believe its some mortal sin to be competent with a drafting program before you start school...

i took some cad drafting classes in HS, and had friends who were cad proficient from day 1... they didnt turn out robots or machines for cranking generic floor plans...

JackT... its a valuable skill if for no other reason than you'll be very easy to employ WHILE youre studying, which, trust me, is hard to find amongst archi students... but cant see it having much or any value after you graduate...

id say that its probably worth it only if you can achieve this associates degree in the course of completing your gen ed classes. If its going to require you delaying the start of your arch school training, its probably not worth it... you'll learn how to draft in school most likely, and you'll be quite proficient after a few months working in an Arch office... you probably dont need the associates...

that sorta rambled... but good luck

I don't thnk there is anything wrong with an Architectural Drafting degree except for the fact that if its strictly 2D, its probably an outdated program. Even if he is not going for an architecture degree or even in the architecture field, there are plenty of companies that require drafting/modeling services. Even if 2D CAD is enough for now, I can see how if they offered something in 3D it would be more beneficial.

If you're sure you want to go into an architecture program though, just learn modeling while you're in architecture school, although it'd be nice to have some work in the portfolio. I am not the kind of person to think that the way architects think is superior to any other way, but I can tell you if you study architecture your view of modeling/drafting/visual communication will be totally different anyway, and you'd basically be "unlearning" a lot of what you learned in an architectural degree program.

If you guys read the original post JackT mentioned he was then going to transfer to a 4 year program. Not 5. He didn't mention anything that would lead one to believe he was interested in an architecture degree. Instead of answering the question you want him to ask, why not answer the actual question he asked?

To answer your question in a pragmatic way, JackT, I agree with some of the above posters. A 3d program would be far more useful than a 2d. Two dimensional drafting is eventually going to be phased out, and while we're still at a stage where 3d modeling is relatively new, it is definitely more valuable. Soon it will be essential. If I were you, I would go for an emerging technology that has a bit of longevity. Even if surveying is closer to your thing, 3d topographical models are much more valuable than 2d.

First off I would like to thank everyone for the quick responses, usually forum responses come days or weeks later. Second I think I was a bit vague in my original post. I do plan to transfer to a 4 or 5 year BArch program. I was also wondering, given my limited experience, if the fact that my company plans to start doing energy audits as part of our service should have any affect on my decision (i.e. would energy audits require me to do drawings a bit more complex or that require more knowledge than basic site plans). So far after reading the comments, I am leaning toward a A.F.A or an A.A. in humanities focused on art appreciation.

If you have a chance to pick up energy auditing software skills on the job jump all over it. Any classes you can take on the subject are likely to be a few years behind the industry at a minimum. That is a skill set that if it interests you can be a major bonus, especially in a future career. The only recent grads i have heard of getting jobs lately have been hired for their energy modeling and auditing skills.

don't get good at something you don't like to do, otherwise you will get stuck doing it.

if you want to spend the rest of your life being a draftsperson, i wouldnt go there if you are already competent at cad