kate -

im not sure if you should dive right away into architecture. if you have money and time to burn, do one of those summer programs and you should get a good glimpse of how intense and ardous architecture is. key word is:glimpse.

not only does it give you a taste, but it also:

1. acts a litmus test. if you can handle it and enjoy it, i say apply to better programs. (columbia, etc.)

2. give you a portfolio to apply to a master's program.

Engineering and arch is two different animals. you should probably choose one or the other. and im confused how you can apply to a master of engineering without an engineering background. 

to be honest, from your background, you should probably go into a Master of Real estate development. Check out Columbia's MSRED. Their curriculum has studios (its a collaborative studio with master of architecture students) and the entire program is balance in terms of design and finance.. 

If you still think architecture is it however, i still suggest to either intern or do one of those summer programs. I think a lot of people are overly sold on the idea of architecture culture and when they do it, they're like holy shit, "im burnt out and this is not worth it!"

I've admitted two dozen of business students to a graduate program in the last four years, and even been manipulated to advise a few through completion of a higher degree. If you matriculate now, you will waste your time. Earn a reputable liberal arts degree with a focus on visual arts if you want to develop your creative side. matriculate in one, and move from one into a competitive degree program when you have evidence that you are actually creative. It is sweet that you can write like the USA Today and clarify your bullet points, and if you can demonstrate that you can teach someone how to do that, you can earn a diploma in English. 

 Undergraduate education is a means to develop and verify basic capacities like "creativity." Undergraduate business education prepares you for something quite different. You can pay me or one of my peers four times as much to give you a graduate degree, or you can take the time to realize that what you need is an education in support of what you want to do.

Thanks batman! Great advice - will definitely look into the points you mentioned.

n.p. good luck in your endeavors. should you choose this ms.red route i will happy to give you insight as I was recently accepted into the MS.RED program as a dual M.arch/MS.RED here at Columbia.

kate, batman,

Definitely interested in this thread. I graduated about 6 months ago with a business/economics bachelors degree. I've been working in investment banking in NY since. As I suspected, it is somewhat interesting, I think I'm pretty good at it, and it pays well, but my passion is somewhere closer to building.

I've been looking at the m.arch programs as well but have been largely deterred by the fact that it seems to take about 10 years to really position yourself well including school/intern etc. in the arch industry, nevermind the cost. 

I think I would like to work for a design-forward real estate developer but I haven't been able to find many through my research. 

So finally, here are my questions:

(1) Do you know of any design-forward developers?

(2) Why is the MS.RED worthwhile? I'm sure I would find the classes very interesting but is it worth the cost? Is it really a prerequisite for the work you would do?

(3) Is your m.arch a I or II? aka do you have undergrad arch degree? 

Really liked your suggestion about the summer program. I have wondered how to go about building an application portfolio. 

I would be very interested in having conversations with you both. I haven't come across anyone like-minded in my work.