I hope you like classical architecture.

Yes, I am well aware of the program. I was just looking for some real input from students that are actually going there, but I guess maybe no one actually does.

Notre Dame rarely comes up in conversation on the board. I don't think that's a knock against the program...it just isn't talked about because it's perceived to be too classical, as a very helpful user has already pointed out. Plus it's rather expensive and isn't an ivy league institution.

I completed a summer program there and have known a couple professors one left and one who is still there...so as far as admissions goes it's extremely competitive. The programs are very small, I know the MArch 2-year professional track lets in maybe 10 new students a year so I'd imagine that number would be higher for your track but the admissions rate is still probably under 10%.

Since you already know what they are known for, then the best advice I could give is to show how you would fit into their program and what you can bring to make it stronger.

Best of luck with your application!

If the economy were better, Notre Dame would be a sure fire way to launch you into the New York architecture scene. Lots of "old money" and they have LOTS of it. I used to work at a firm that had a lot of N.D'ers and were recruited for the high end type of work we did. We used to charge an arm and a leg, and maybe even a torso if we could, and clients would pay with a grin on their face.

Another thing about ND is that it has a strong alumni network, maybe one of the best I've ever seen. I have friends graduating from columbia and harvard who can't find work, yet all of my ND friends that were fired/laid off turned around in no time flat...partly due to their friends that were still employed and through other alumni connections.

It is expensive, but they have a semester abroad in Rome fully paid for(well, technically you've already paid it). My old school we had to pay out of pocket and find our own places to live when studying abroad.


Talk to a guy named Philip Bess, he's the director of the program and appears to be a solid guy. His assistant's name is Lois.

Thanks for the help. I am from Indiana and have visited the ND campus. Like I said, I am familiar with program and understand its classical reputation.

My undergrad is business, so I am feeling a bit nervous/intimidated about applying this year. Notre Dame is not too far though and I am definitely giving it strong consideration. I feel like it would definitely be my reach school, but I am willing to try. The financial side of it is pretty hard to stomach though.

Anyways, thanks for the advice.

cmarshalle - are you applying to ND this year? I am considering this school because, though I am also interested in more well rounded programs, I think ND would be an amazing foundation in architecture and the exposure to such a traditional method coupled with additional certificates in urban design or even sustainable design through more alternative post grad programs would make for strong skill sets.

please let me know if you are able to find out what the actual tuition is..that elusive info is difficult to find on the internet.

Notre Dame is the last bastion of veritable architecture left in the entire known universe.

The rest of the 117+/- NAAB accredited schools are entirely sold out to the vapidness of life and arch practice which is so typical "modernism" (modernism = internationalism = marxism).

If I had another life to live I would have done whatever ethically possible to apply and be accepted at Notre Dame (instead of the run of the mill MArch program I settled for).

It was too late by the time I had heard of ND.

Best of Luck!

Methinks that if the current economic trajectories persist for another century, perhaps sanity will return to the senses of western people and the remnants of sane idealogies manifest at ND will proliferate again (one can only hope!). A toast to the tanking economy! (the best thing that has happened to mankind since the invention of sliced bread).

Do they serve tea @ ND?

they serve tea everywhere...

Per the writings of Alberti, I shall design a centrally planned strip mall rather than a Latin Cross planned strip mall.

exuberance is so marxist. [sarcasm meant to cut both ways]

the work coming off of notre dame is borderline terrifying.

@modelcitizen

In the end I have decided to cut ND from my list of schools. I do think the program is interestingto say the least, and as you can see, there are a lot of people out there with different opinions.

I would give the school a call and talk to as many people as you can. Take a look at some of the examples of student work. After visitng some other schools, I've gotten a better idea of what it is I want from my graduate education and just don't feel like ND offers it.

ND isn't cheap by any means, but I don't remember exactly what the tuition numbers were. It is a very small program though and some of my profs have told me not to be frightened by the tuition as they tend to give out quite a bit of money. I dno't know if thats true, but thats what my prof seemed to think.

Good luck

@ Cmarshalle

Have you checked out the University of Miami? The faculty is quite diverse, with studios spanning the spectrum from classicism to the different flavors of modernism. I visited the school and talked to the new graduate program director, Jean-Francois Lejeune and was impressed with the direction he's taking things. I too considered ND and found it lacking, although I hear there are signs things are changing/may change in the future.

@ IHATEMARXISTS

I'd posit a large number of actual classicists would find you insufferable.

@ Digitalurbanity: "I'd posit a large number of actual classicists would find you insufferable"

yes, indeed, you are correct. In fact, I find myself insufferable at times. At least the contemporary architect part. I am trying to root that part out. The good news is that though the roots of the weeds of modernism run deep (hyper-critical theory), they are merely the shallow roots of weeds and are therefore relatively easy to tear up and cast aside.

Yes... U of Miami actually is on my list. I am coming from a non-arch background and I really want a program that will allow me to explore a bit and figure things out as I progress.

Did you find out much about the size of the program or any info on their acceptance appetite? Its also one of the more expensive schools on my. I don't know how much money they tend give, but I'm hoping its a lot.

Didn't get any hard figures, but I recall the total number of grad students being around 60, so 20 accepted a year? The facilities seem to be limiting the number, although there are major plans for them in the future.

I'm considering the dual m.arch/m.ud route there, but cost is definately a consideration. The BAC was supposedly going to offer a concentration in classical architecture, I'm not sure how that is progressing if at all. There are *some* electives currently offered I believe.

isnt that a football college? thats where you should go if you want to party i guess.