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Grad Assistantship Help

bjd80

Hi

I am in the middle of getting together my applications for a Master of Architecture degree. My undergrad degree is in Industrial Design, with a good amount of architecture and interior design studio classes. My work experience is mostly in Construction. I feel that my skills would be useful in a fabrication lab or in assisting with a construction materials class.

I am looking at schools west of the Mississippi, most of which tend to be public. Most of the people I have talked to at these schools have said that it is rare to give a Graduate Assistant or Teaching Assistant position to a first year grad student without an architecture degree. My goal is to finance my Master's through an Assistantship.

Does anyone know of any schools that would be more likely to grant an assistantship to a first-year Option 3 candidate? What I don't want to have happen is to start somewhere and then find that I am not able to get an assistantship.

Thanks!

 
Dec 14, 09 1:41 pm
gresham

It's not west of the Mississippi, but when I was there a few years ago, Ohio State offered grad assistantships to first year students in the 3+ M.Arch program (their equivalent to what you call "Option 3"). 3-4 students out of an entering class of 14 had them. We also had one guy who had a university fellowship (tuition waiver + stipend and no work obligation) which he received based on his undergrad GPA and his GREs. His fellowship transitioned to a GA position in his 2nd year.

There may be drastically fewer GA positions available at a lot of state schools now, due to the significant revenue crisis that many state governments are facing. However, they do exist, or at least did exist recently.

Dec 14, 09 3:33 pm  · 
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bjd80

Well, location's not as important to me as getting a grad assistantship. Their website and facilities look good. Were you happy with the education you got there? Is it more theoretical or practical? What did the GA's do?

Thanks

Dec 14, 09 6:17 pm  · 
 · 
gresham

Probably more of a theory school, but there are some good technical faculty too.

GA positions range from teaching assistant for studio, history, structures, or construction courses to shop assistants and research assistant for faculty.

would recommend you contact them directly to see how many positions are currently being offered, due to possible funding decreases.

Dec 14, 09 6:29 pm  · 
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bjd80

cool, thanks a lot for getting back to me. It seems like GA positions maybe have become even more competitive because more laid-off people are applying to school and funding may be limited because of the economy.

i think i am looking for a school with a more practical direction, but it seems like all of the programs have to have a certain amount of practicality due to accreditation.

i will try to get in touch w/ them directly

Dec 15, 09 12:26 pm  · 
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