University Reputations

[-z-]

I'm a high school student researching different schools of architecture in Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. I've compiled a list of all the accredited schools in their respective countries but after viewing about twenty schools, they all seem very similar.

1. Which schools have the best reputation?

2. Which schools do you attend and are you pleased with the education you have been recieving?

3. Is the workload as overwhelmingly difficult as websites make them out to be?

4. Which are good introductary books about architecture (history, design, etc.)?

Your response would be much charished.

-Yours in Goodwill-
Monica Z.

[RWL]

1. One of the better schools with a good reputation is Univ. of Cincinnati. There is a co-opperative program here, so you get expereince as you study. Graduates are valued and considred tobe better since they have practical experince and not just summer jobs. That is a leg-up in looking for work. Incidentially, Cincinnati is ranked #1 this year in "Almanac of Design and Architecture".

2. I did attend UC but long before it moved to its current status and program. I received a fine education coupled with the co-op experience.

3. The work load is demanding and very time-intensive at any school. Al-nighters are common and you ust be able to plan and allocate your time.

4. Without being specific to a topic, overall good architectural practice books are by Dana Cuff, and Roger Lewis [check them on amazon.com]

[rizzdizzle]

research what the practice of architecture is all about and where you would want your education to take you some good schools are.....RISD (rhode island school of design) UC, Cooper Union, carnegie mellon, university of oregon, sci-arch, pratt institute, virginia tech, university of virginia, university of illinois, university of oregon, cal poly, mit, UCLA, berkley, ...etc

All of the schools i mentioned are top schools but differ heavily in where they focus your education..

for example RISD is a private art school so the program there is more focused on design, materials, conceptual ideas.......likewise most state schhols generaly have programs that teach more practical and conservative architecture, however this is not always true....University of Oregon has a strong "sustaniable architecture" (green-aka not trying to spam up the enviroment) program....
Furthermore you want to take into account other factors including tuition, location, financial aid and if a portfolio is required for admission....schools that do rquire a portfolio usualy are more artsy and design focused....even if the school doesnt require a portfolio and you are good at art send one anyway, because it helps you stand out from the rest.

if you have any questions about specific schools post them and you'll be sure to get responses.,....

[-z-]

Thank you both very much for your suggestions.

RWL-i just read Architect?: a candid guide to the profession by Roger K. Lewis since your suggestion. It's been a fantastic resource, thank you!

rizzdizzle-Your description of sustainable architecture was really excellent, it made me smile. You actually mentioned Carnegie Mellon, which is one of my first choices. I've already got a decent scholarship to their CS (computer science) department. I'd have to call and see if it'd transfer.

thanks again!

[sharkycharger]

Contrary to the popular local jibes, ("Kent read, Kent write, Kent State!"), I've found that Kent's College of Architecture and Environmental Design has been a great program. With a heavy focus on conceptualization, design, and theory rooted in Modernist and (in the last 15 or so years) Deconstructivist design theory, combined with an excellent Urban Design Collaborative for grad students, the program has exceeded my expectations for a severely under-funded state school (my humble home studio is, unlike Kent's, not subject to black squirrel infestations, and is open 24 hours.)The program has consistently ranked in the top third of the nation's architecture programs, and is at least worth checking out. The staff's pedigree is what sold me on the program, (Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, Case, etc.), and their knowledge and dedication to the student's development is amazing.

[rizzdizzle]

Kent State may be a somewhat decent school, but nonetheless its mediocre as hell compared to the top schools in the nation.....Second of all -Z- got into carnegie mellon's computer science program so we have to understand that is one hell of an accomplishment...and -z- must be a genius, or at least tooooo brillant for the likes of kent state. Not to offend kent state (my uncle wnet there and i currently have a cousin there) but it is not considered a strong school for architecture...and has no prestige when compared to CMU. -Z- if they gave you a good financial aid package you definitley should call about that transfer...i got into their arch programs, but the didnt give me as much money as i needed. I have a friend in their industrial design program and she likes it a lot, also if your interested in computer science you could always take credits in that or other electives such as art, theatre science (whatever floats your boat). The only negative things i have heard about the programs is that it is very tech oriented and they stress the more practical issues of architecture. For example some creative freedom is stifled by their use of "building codes" or standardization in building during projects. However this is not necessarly a bad thing if thats where you want to go with architecture. Anyways the school is extremely prestigous and has top notch architecture program. Pittsburgh is an okay city however carnegie mellon is in the nice (extremly affluent) part of town and has a nice campus. -Z- what other schools have you applied /gotten into

[sharkycharger]

No doubt about it, CMU is the better choice. I was just pointing out that there are some really good state school programs if those schools are being considered.
Another option worth checking out is Cincinnati's program. Probably one of the best in the region.

[-z-]

1:
Appologies
I would like to appologize for not responding promptly, i wasn't aware more comments were made on this thread.

2:
Schools Accepted
I've applied to a very small number of schools. I've only applied for CS majors, but i'm having second thoughts and architecture looks incredible. The schools that have accepted me are:
-Harvey Mudd (California, near the pomona((sp?)) campuses)
-Rose Hulman (Local college)
-Imperial College (London, my dream but way too expensive)
-Rice University
-McGill University (canada)

3:
Current Plans
I plan to take a year off and travel abroad before starting university.
It is too late to apply to architecture programmes. Additionally, I need to prepare a portfolio of my artistic work, which is very minimal.

4:
Response
-rizz- I appreciate your complimentary unfounded judgement of my intelligence. Moving on, CMU may be the best choice because i work well with technical and "practical" problems/solutions. I've called and they said i would have to apply directly to the school of architecture. So in other words, the financial aid isn't transferable. I need to keep a "full ride" scholarship to attend. (Money is a huge issue.)
-sharkycharger- I appreciate your in-put and i will look into Kent State and some programmes in Cincinnati. I highly doubt anyone is too intelligent for a specific programme. School is what you make of it (I went to a public school my whole life and now i'm getting paid to go private.)

-Yours in Goodwill-
Monica Z.

[rizzdizzle]

im pretty sure none of the pomona colleges have arch programs.....id def go with MCgill.....i know!!! everyone hates CANADA, but in some ways its better than the U.S. (no bush)...i have a friend there and she likes it a lot (non arch...sorry her opinion doesnt help much). But its really cheap compared to U.S. schools and has a great reputation...Its arch program is def. top notch for Canada. Rice is also a good school for arch but expensive unless you get good financial aid. If i were you i would take a year off and research more schools, or at least apply directly to architecture programs and see what you get financialy. If CMU gave you a good scholarship for CS than theres no reason they wouldnt for arch if you reapply.....also dont be scared to wrtie letters begging for money, or get yourself a gat and start hustling. Furthermore check out some state schools...University of: illinois, michigan, oregon, virginia. All of these programs are good and have strengths in other majors you might be interested in like enginnering, or cs (just incase you get sick of arch). Good Luck!!!!


p.s. sorry i made such unfounded and elitist comments concerning kent state.....but if you get into a really good school and get good financial aid you might as well go.....I know, there are exceptions however CMU is a great school.........gof for the gold, actually platinum all the tight rappers are rocking it these days...like lil'jon, now if he would have only gone to architecture school...

[Architorture]

if you are into the technical aspects of things i would definitely say CMU is the way to go...they are uber technical...i would also warn against all the hype...architecture school rankings can be a strange beast at times especially when you consider what you are going to be doing after undergrad...

if you plan to be a grad student or spend your days as a career student then maybe a top ranked school is best for you... but if you are thinking of heading straight out into the work force sometimes a degree from the top won't mean a thing to a prospective employer...or it could mean the world... its a tough decision

and its a horrible thing to think of when talking about higher education, but just try to find the place where you fit best... if you love the program but can't stand the school or town you won't be happy and you won't produce your best work... i didn't go to CMU or Cornell for those very reasons and thus far i have no regrets...

try to be happy with your education...don't pick an education that will simply just wow others

[shahar]

Rice has a similar program to University of Cincinnati. It is a six year B.Arch program. Four years of studio, one year internship, and one final year of studio.

You should consider it as a possibility. You could reapply into the school of architecture, when you finish your year off or go there and transfer in. If you transfer in you will be a undergrad for 7 years (yikes, but people do do it), but you have the benefit of taking more supplementary classes or double majoring since you have a whole year up on everyone else.