It's crunch time.......need input for S

KandKsmom · 08-13-2007, 11:57 AM

I have gained so much good insight into the college application process by reading cc. My S is a rising senior and has a myriad of interests, but English, Science, art/design are his favorites. After looking into possible careers, he thinks that Landscape Architecture or something along that route would let him use his strength in science and art best. He says he isn't as intrigued by regular architecture...buildings, etc. do not appeal to him as much as drawing and creating. He has read that landscape architects get to use more of their design/artistic talents than regular architects, so that also factored into this train of thought. Now, I am not so sure that this interest could change, but
that is where we are now.

He is planning on applying to the University of Georgia, Virginia Tech and William and Mary. We are in state for the last two schools. He loved William and Mary when we went to tour/interview there, loved UGA when he visited there and we are going to VT next week to look. Here is where he needs some insight. UGA and VT have dynamic landscape architecture programs.

William and Mary doesn't offer any degrees in Architecture, but as everyone knows it is a tremendous school. IF he were to be admitted (and that in itself is a big IF) and decided that he would like to go there (for the small school atmosphere and not to be totally engrossed in a 5yr. BLARCH program), what should he major in if he thinks that ultimately Land. Arch is the route he could end up in by going to grad school? He is thinking that double majoring in Art/Art History and possibly Environmental Science. biology or geology would work.

I just wish he could look into a crystal ball and see what he ultimately would end up doing. A 5 yr. program would get him out in the working world at least 1 year quicker, most likely 2-3. But, I would hate to see him go to a school just because it has what he thinks he wants, only to decide that LA isn't right for him.

Thanks for reading through all of this and if any of you have any thoughts on this I/he would greatly appreciate it!

cheers · 08-14-2007, 12:48 AM

Have your son go and visit a couple of Barch programs--try to arrange for him to sit in on a 'jury' or critique of designs for 3rd or 4th year students. (he can sit in the back--or shadow one of the students).

That experience should tell him whether or not he wants architecture.

Landscape architecture is a great option to add onto a W&M BA.

Corbusi8 · 08-14-2007, 08:42 AM

I went on tours at SCAD, UNC (Charlotte), UVA, and VT. I was fairly impressed with SCAD and UNCC, but mesmerized by the VT tour. The program at Tech is one of the best in the nation (and unique in its approach). However, the UVA tour was a complete disaster and I walked away thinking- you've got to be kidding me. Was that really UVA? It sounds wierd but Auburn University in AL actually has a very reputable B.Arch so you might look into that if a large size doesn't matter.

KandKsmom · 08-14-2007, 10:26 AM

Cheers and Corbus, thanks for your thoughtful replies. He is looking forward to visiting Tech next week to see how it compares with UGA. You mentioned that VT is unique in its approach. If you have time, could you elaborate? He has spent this morning emailing various LA firms he has found online, asking their opinions of his different options.

I shared with him your idea cheers, maybe next week he can set something up with one of the VT professors for later this semester. The problem is timing. We are about 5-8 hours from any of the schools with LA. I can't get him to look at UVA. For some reason, he and many of his friends have the perception that UVA is looking for the, and I am paraphrasing his/their words here, " a preppy, haughty kind of kid who has a very high opinion of themself"..... No matter how hard I try to change his mind, he is dead set against it. I will get him to look into Auburn, but I think that might be a bit too far away... at least as far as his mom is concerned!

Again, thanks for your input!

laurstar07 · 08-14-2007, 11:45 AM

penn state also has a good landscape architecture program

Corbusi8 · 08-14-2007, 12:10 PM

KandKsmom, as I am sure you and your son have begun to realize, most B.Arch programs are GRUELING. I have heard nasty rumors of cots and sleeping bags stuffed under drafting tables, sleep depravation that goes on for weeks, and caffeine-laden meltdowns. It was refreshing to hear the Tech program director (Scott Poole, I think his name was) describe a process of "slowness" taken by the faculty there. He had taught for many years and seen students at many programs be assigned projects that professionals could not reasonably finish in such time constraints. He invited us to search the rows of drafting tables to find any trace of a pillow or sleeping bag or anything, and we found nothing of the sort. I suppose it is not THAT different from any other program, but this concern for students and their course of study struck me as very considerate and professional. I think it will not be long before other programs follow suit.

But since you are looking in a more landscape direction I might suggest getting any general degree in architecture or art/art history (BA or BSA or BArch, whatever) and then getting a masters specifically in Landscape Arch as I think many successful professionals have taken this route. With this in mind, it might open up some more choices, but I completely understand your son's desire to go ahead and get such a degree as an undergrad (which seems to be a safer option).

As for Auburn, you are right that it would be a long way away, but I think they'd love to see kids from out of state. Scholarships, like at UVA, are harder to come by there, though, and I don't specifically know how the study of landscape architecture would fare. It just happens to be a safety school for me and thought I'd recommend it.

And while we're on the subject, I could also use a little help if you don't mind: Good Choices?

KandKsmom · 08-14-2007, 02:28 PM

Corbusi8, I would definitely like to help you, too! I was in Barnes and Noble last night and saw a college guidebook that had some great information. I think it was Fiske Guide to Colleges 2008 edition. In the front of the book there was a section that listed public schools that had architecture programs, private schools that had strong arch programs, publics and private schools (in separate categories for small/large, LACs, etc.) that had strong art/art history and engineering programs.....it really was very thorough and informative. Also, have you looked into William and Mary? They do have a architecture studio series that is taught within their Art/Art History Dept. My son learned that their art program has had a bit of a shake up recently and is on its way up. Just another possibility for you. Hope this helps!

Corbusi8 · 08-14-2007, 02:50 PM

Thanks I will try to look for that. I hope my VT elaboration wasn't too murky. I will look into W&M and see if it might be a match. Thanks for the suggestion! If all else fails, grab up some landscape arch/design magazines and find some names, doing some research into where they went to school. I realize it sounds kind of shallow, but that's part of what got me into thinking about Auburn, UMiami, UNCC, and the Ivies.

thenosam · 08-14-2007, 11:04 PM

When you said your son enjoys creating I thought I might throw out the thought of industrial design. I'm almost sure that some of the schools you mentioned visiting offer it.
My son is in his last year of undergrad for architecture. It is grueling. They told him right off the bat that if you aren't a night owl, you might want to change to another major. They were right. He has more than once gone an entire week with 10 or 12 hours total sleep.