Well to be honest, UofC gets little recognition because its in Calgary. It's by far the newest school of arch in Canada (Ryerson not included), and it isn't nearly as connected to the proffession (outside of Calgary) as some of the other places.

Plus, you have to umm, live in Calgary. Not that you'll have a lot of time to enjoy the city regardless, but that'd be a big detractor for me. Calgary demands roughly the same cost of living as a Vancouver or Toronto (and significantly more than Montreal or Winnipeg), but offers less in terms of an enjoyable urban experience. But maybe thats just my jaded view as a born and raised Albertan. At least you'd be near the rockies...

I know this stuff is pretty basic, but take a look at the faculty. Where do they work, where did they go to school, where did they teach previously? That should tell you a lot.

U of C is also the smallest architecture program I believe, so it might be an opportunity to study more closely with your professors? Could be a good thing, more personal attention, etc.

I think they only accept a handful of students each year? I know of people who were accepted to the larger schools but did not get into U of C...

I'd recommend going there and talking to students and professors and seeing if you'd like it there... Architecture school is what you make of it, once you graduate it will be more about what you've done than what school you went to imho... So if your boyfriend lives there, I'd definitely apply there, apply to the other schools as well and if accepted, weigh the pros and cons based on your priorities...

I know a UofC grad living/working in Alberta. He has always said they are equivalent of the more "famous" Canadian programs.

Not sure where IamGray gets the idea that Calgary is the same cost of living as Vancouver or Toronto.

Yes, it's more than Winnipeg, but Calgary is also a bigger and more prosperous city than Winnipeg, not to mention warmer. I know from experience that you can live modestly in Calgary. Also, Calgary is still largely a boom town with lots of activity. The economic state of N. America is pretty dim but it's tough to notice in Alberta in general. I'm out of the loop but would venture a guess that internships are easier had in Calgary than Vancouver and possibly Toronto.

I'd for sure check the university out and not worry about the recognition of the program so much.

jingnuu

It's interesting been thinking the same thing for awhile now.
Have actually been considering U of C for a bit, because a) they have a history going back to the 70s of focusing on environmental issues b) are one of the few urban design programs I have seen that don't require a previous March or MLA etc.

I also have family in Calgary which makes it a plus. However, i haven't noticed alot of people suggesting it is a good choice. Especially, as other posters have said because it means living in western Canadian plains for 3 years. However, it is near Banff..

Be interested in hearing more about whether you choose it and if so what you think about program if you get in.

aquapura,

perhaps I'm totaly out to lunch, but I'm basing my statements only on what I've seen and what my firends have told me.

I'm not trying to unfairly bash Calgary, but after living in Alberta for most of my life, I'm not realy keen on paying 'big-city' prices without getting any of the associated benefits (a decent transit system, nice walkable neighborhoods, any semblance of urban life, etc.).

The way I see it, if you're really keen on living in a cold, sprawling, prarie-shit-hole, you might as well just move to Winnipeg. At least that way you'd save 40% on rent and at least have a decent music/art scene.

And Toronto and Vancouver really aren't that much more expensive. Especially when you factor in the cost of vehicle ownership, which is that much more necessary in Calgary (esp. compared to Toronto).

Again, I'm not trying to bash Calgary... Just that I think people who come from there maybe see things in a different light.

Yeah, the economy has outlasted a lot of other places, but does that mean you want to live or work there? Boutin and Sturgess are cool, but the rest of the offices give me the creeps.... Cohos? Yikes!

Hey thanks for the many responses! Let me add some of my own input =)

I realized most people are dejected by UofC because of what the city gives rather than the program itself. Honestly, I lived in Vancouver for 9 years, so I know how beautiful it is over in the west coast. Call me a nerd, 'cause if the program gives me enough, I'm sure I can look pass the prices and how the city is. (Oh, and I've lived 10 years in Hong Kong too, so talk about vertical expansion and cramped spaces lol). UofHong Kong has Ralph Lerner, whos Dean at Princeton for over 15years and also new profs from AA/CooperU/MIT/Columbia/etc... So I tend not to compare academic programs in junction with the city itself.

However, right now I really know so little about the program itself. I was wondering if any of you guys've heard their graduates working outside of Calgary? It seems the mobility of UBC/UT/McGill students is much higher than other graduates from other universities.. or am I wrong? Call me practical, I'm a little nervous my career prospects after I graduate from there. Like I guess I don't plan to stay in Calgary after I graduate...
So, if I were to ask you guys to grade, in a scale of ten, all those programs without considering the citylife (staff/curriculum/experience/career), how would you personally rate it?

Oh and one last short question...

Which program has the highest graduation rate?
I'm not sure how graduate program works, do they casually flunk people?

I wouldn't call Calgary a "shit-hole" but I see your point, especially with a very good University in Winnipeg.

i went to u of manitoba in winnipeg. it is cold (which i perversely enjoy) and i suppose if you would like to characterise it as a shit-hole the shoe does fit, especially in the north end. but there is an arts/music scene and has awesome chicago-school buildings left over from the boom years at the end of the last century...

i worked in calgary for awhile, but never went to archi-school there. the city itself is a lot like winnipeg but uglier. of all the large cities in the country it has to be on the bottom for me. i would say i even liked living in dawson creek better (small town in northern canada).

as far as it goes i imagine the school is alright. its reputation was not very high when i was a student but maybe that has changed in the last 10 years. check the profs and if they seem cool then why not...