Im pretty sure they are all digital design oriented, all are pushing the boundaries in that respect.  Where you want to end up working should probably weigh in your choice, you just get more connections through the schools networking area.

Both La schools have great faculty, not sure about Pratt.  Try to look at the curirculums if you havent already see which might interest you the most. 

I know that UCLA has the 2 building construction classes, and Sci-arc has design build opportunities like the Solar decathlon if your interested in actually building something. 

ROB4,

Thank you for your reply! I agree that all the schools are pushing the digital design boundaries. My impression from the work was that UCLA was a little more balanced but really only in the sense that I was comparing it to two other heavy design schools.

I am mainly interested in a design-oriented program but the structures classes are appealing to me. However, Pratt kind of won me over with the fact they do have a Comprehensive Architecture Project in the 4th semester which seems pretty good about having students create a strong set of detailed construction drawings. 

Do you guys think that of the three schools there is one that is the absolute, clear "better school"? I understand that is sort of a naive way to view schools, but I'm just wondering if that is the case with this group of schools. 

The cds in Pratt's curiculum sounds cool, however you will have the opportunity to do that in the real world. But I think sci-arc has something similar. http://www.sciarc.edu/course.php?id=55&category2=0. 

But if I had to choose the best school of the three , UCLA , then Sci-arc, then Pratt. 

i would choose UCLA.

its a good balance.

PRATT is too designy.

SCI ARC is too architecture.

UCLA - you get both.  youll probably have a better college experience too. its a big college with big school spirit if you care about those things.

UCLA , a quote from someone visiting their open house

" Some loved it. They liked that the quarter system allowed them to produce LOTS of work, things were fast paced, they had lots for put in their portfolios. Others said that the school had bad studio culture (which makes sense to me when going to studio might mean being stuck in traffic for an hour), but others said it varies a lot per class."

Not sure about the studio culture but maybe Batman has a different repsonse. 

That all makes sense. My impression was also that UCLA is probably the more balanced of all my options. Plus it has solid faculty and reputation. I'm very drawn to the idea of having 9 studios of work and thesis rather than the 6 at Pratt or 4+Thesis at SCI-Arc. 

However, New York is a big draw for me when it comes to Pratt. I really wasn't sold on LA when I visited. However, that being said, it might be foolish to turn down a better program simply because of that. 

All 3 schools are pretty even and good so you can't go wrong with either one.