Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)
Pratt Institute
University of Southern California (USC)
Tulane University
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Temple University
University of Oregon
Cranbrook Academy of Art
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
Kansas State University
Liberal Arts Undergrad Seeking Info about M.Arch
I am currently a senior at Wake Forest University and since freshman year I have been interested in pursuing a graduate architecture program. My freshman year when I decided I wanted to do architecture, I had a tough decision-- transfer into a bachelors architecture program or stay at Wake and earn a degree in something else. I chose to stay at Wake because I believe the liberal arts background they have given me is invaluable. My question is, does anyone know how graduate schools look at students who come from a background other than architecture. Since Wake doesn't have an arch. program, I have done my best to include the most architecture in my studies as possible ( arch. history, photography classes, other studio classes. etc) Do I stand a chance against students with an architecture background?
Going into architecture from another discipline is very common, most schools have two M. Arch tracks, one for an arch background and one for those without. You should visit some graduate schools that are in your area, most of them have portfolios on hand and will have samples from those who have come from a non-arch background.
Most are 3 years programs for students with no architecture background!
And yes you stand a chance against the other students but remember they have 4-5 years of architecture studies so sometimes you will be confused of what they are talking about! They will have better presentation techniques, drawings, renderings etc. They will get projects done quicker.
When I was in graduate school (this was years ago) I felt bad for some of the 3+ students because they had to catch up really quick and be on our level but then sometimes I felt bad for us because we already covered all of the stuff and now suddenly we were repeating everything. One studio teacher sat down one time and tried to tell us how to sketch and draw perspectives etc. Students with the arch background already knew that and it was a waste of time and money for all of us.
Sometimes I think that students with arch background and those without should be in separate classes/studios etc!!!
That's actually an interesting topic...I'll make a topic and I'm curious what people will say!
This happens, I know that at SCI-Arch students from Arch and Non Arch backgrounds have separate programs...
As you research architecture graduate programs, you will find as stated previously that there are two tracks -- 1) for graduates of a pre-professional BS in Architecture and 2) for graduates with a degree in an unrelated discipline.
You want to ask the question directly to the program but the applicants to these tracks are reviewed separately. Thus, you are not in competition with those with a degree in architecture.
Visit -- www.naab.org -- for a list of accredited programs. You can search by degree type.
Best.
you may want to read the cover story of Architect magazine...
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.