Advice from professionals please

[soconfused]

I'm currently a student at community college, in my 3rd semester, (I started last spring). My first 2 semesters I was an undecided student but Ive always wanted to do architecture, I was accepted to Pratt and NYIT before but I didnt attend because of personal reasons. Now in my 3rd semester I took more math & science courses and draft and design. The thing is I want to apply to Cooper Union but if I do that Ill have to stay in community college for another year, since they dont accept students by spring semester, only fall. Im not sure if I should risk it because it's a FIVE year program for a bachelors, not to mention the classes I missed out on...this might result in me getting my Bachelors at 24 or 25 which isn't very ideal for me so I don't know...this is hypothetically speaking.

OR should I just go somewhere else where I might not get that good of an architecture education, and I dont even know where else to apply. Pratt & NYIT are so expensive and Ive heard not so great things about these schools.

If I do decide to apply, Id have to create a portfolio, but I dont even know how to go about doing that since I only dedicated one semester to architecture. I can draw but I dont know how I would explain things properly or how I would describe the proportions.

Anyone familiar with Boston Architectural College?
any advice?? where do/did you guys attend school? do you recommend it?

I'm so confused and stressed

[soconfused]

& I did read the extra info "not for students" but I'd like a professionals advice or someone who has experience and I don't know where else to ask!

[lekizz]

[SDR]

It's been said that architecture is "an old man's art." I have thought about what that might mean. I know one thing: architecture doesn't happen quickly; rather, it is a matter of patience, first in the acquisition of the necessary knowledge and skills, and then in the deploying of those resources to solve the architectural problem for one's clients. Much patience is required, as well, between the completion of drawings and the construction of the building. So, don't stress now -- there's a lifetime of steady progress, with ample waiting, ahead of you.

If you are able to go to Cooper Union, and it would cost less than going to the other schools you have considered, perhaps it wouldn't be the end of the world for it to take a little longer to graduate ? The goal shouldn't be to "get through" school as quickly as possible, but rather to get as much out of it as you can, before being turned out into the working world. Of course, you will be able to begin work in the professional environment even before graduation, one hopes.

That is all I can say. My best to you, however you do it.

SDR

[solidred]

I agree with SDR here. The thing with architecture is that it would be folly to embark on a course in architecture thinking that you go to college and learn, get the qualifications and then, wham! Big bucks and a successful career. This would lead to the notion that the shortest course of learning is the shortest course to earning which isn't, of course, an unreasonable thing to imagine. But it's simply untrue where architecture is concerned. So, assuming that both your course of learning and, crucially, your need to get by with a relatively modest income will last for years after technically graduating, a slightly longer course at a better learning facility seems by far the better deal.
Coming from the other side of the Atlantic, the Cooper Union has a good reputation. Bear in mind that one significant aspect of a learning institution is the quality and general location of the social and business and academic networks that branch out afterwards from it.

[O-Archy]

Ahh, 'Old man's art' interesting comment... I agree with all the prior posts, remember this practice is a 'life-long sport'...
Consider this also... young doctors have steady hands (we hope) and fresh knowledge of the latest medical techniques, old lawyers have years of experience and historical grasp of case law, young architects are eager and somewhat capable, but lack the full understanding of what the built environment means to society / how to deliver a project to exceed expectations.
In the three professions I've mentioned, there are also myriad opportunities to branch out into specialized areas.
Seek a program that parallels your own strengths and go for it.
Good Luck!