thespian dad

Lori,
Good advice, but to be clear, UMiami (FL) has a NAAB accredited BArch program, Miami U in Ohio does not.

archiemom

FYI...According to the NAAB website, as of November 2007, UMiami does have an accredited BArch degree.

IMHO, a BArch degree from any accredited NAAB school is fine. I wouldn't obsess re the "top" 15 schools, as it is really difficult to determine whether those top schools are actually providing a better arch education than any other schools. A degree from certain prestigious schools may be worth more in obtaining an internship or initial job offer, but once one is licensed and onto a career path, I don't think that there is that much advantage. The NAAB accreditation assures state licensing boards and employers that the candidate has met the current professional standards, and that's what's crucial. Most architectural education is actually obtained on-the-job after you've earned a degree. The MOST important factor in career advancement is whether one is licensed.

Given that the educational committment is for 5-6 years, if my child was contemplating architecture, I would emphasize a campus (and program) that is a good match and then evaluate the finaid/costs. If they can get in, and want one of the more prestigious programs, great. If they like NJ Institute of Technology (absolutely no judgement being made here), then go for it.

Lori1122

OH! sorry.. i def meant the one in ohio.. since i live in mich.. when you say umiami everyone thinks you're talking about the one in ohio.. sorry!

Phoenix10017

sorry I kind of disappeared for a while. My computer didn't let me get onto this site for a while. Anyways... I think I'm probably going to Virginia Tech, because it is a well known program, and it's a lot less costly compared to my other schools. My dad says its the closest match to Penn State out of my choices as well. The only thing is being 10 hours away from home. I don't think I'll mind too much, but I'm still kind of nervous about that. Does anyone know the atmosphere of VT?

gordods

I did a visit to VTech a year ago, and there is definitely a positive vibe - the students all seem to love being Hokies! Lots of smiles in the studios.

I've been accepted to:

UNC-Charlotte
Virginia Tech
U of Tennessee-Knoxville
Savannah College of Art and Design
Tulane University
(still waiting on U Hawaii!!)

Money is an issue for me. I got aid for about 1/2 the cost at Tulane, a little aid at SCAD, waiting on the others. UNCCharlotte would be instate and the cheapest.

Any thoughts from anyone on any of these schools? I'd appreciate even a little input.

Thanks.

4trees

Well, 10 hours of travel will make trips home impractical at times. That can be an advantage as it puts you in the group of students that stay on campus during weekends and short holidays. If you "can't" go home, you can be more involved on campus. As previously said, VT is an excellent arch program, and I feel your dad correctly called the similarity to PS. If you don't need a big city and can live with less frequent trips home, I'd say you have found your school!

KandKsmom

Phoenix,
Sounds like you are beginning to firm up your decision about schools. As 4trees pointed out you will have to plan most of your trips home, but from what we have been told, most kids don't leave campus for the weekends. We are around 3 hours from VT. I'll share one example with you that kind of tells you a bit about how much the kids love it there. Our next door neighbor's son goes to Tech. A real homebody and very close to his family. Freshman year he left in August and we didn't see him until fall break in late October. The Sat. morning of fall break (he had been home less than 24 hours), he tells me in the yard that he is itching to get back to Blacksburg!

I think that you will love it if you go. Who knows, maybe you will become friends with my s and we can have you visit us one weekend! Good luck and don't worry; whether you are 1 hour or 10 hours from home, you are still away and I am sure all of you graduating seniors are a bit nervous. Take care!

F5B6

I've been accepted to the architecture programs at NCSU and VT.

I also did the Tech tour last year and came away with a positive impression.

I am a NC resident, money is important. How would you rank these two programs?

Thanks for your input!

KandKsmom

We heard good things about NCSU and their arch dept when s was looking. He didn't particularly like NC State's campus- a bit too urban for his tastes-but it is a great choice for you, esp since you are in state. I don't know the financial situation of your family, but we really want to try to keep the school loans and after grad debt low. You are fortunate (as we are as VA residents) to have such a fine arch program at one of your state schools. I personally don't think VT is that much of a stronger program, if it even is, to warrant paying OOS tuition to go there. Congratulations on being accepted to two great schools and good luck in your decision!!

F5B6

Thanks for the feedback!

phoenician

Hi,

I am currently living in Dubai and have been accepted to the school of architecture at UM as an undergraduate. As an international, I wasn't able to get in most of the universities I applied to. I have been waitlisted at Syracuse and accepted at Miami. I would really like to know how the architecture program at Miami is like, from a student's point of view. It hurts that I can't visit the university because I'm on the other side of the world, so it would be a great deal of help if you can make me certain that attending Miami would be the right choice for me. I also would like to know if the program is only art-based or not. I am more inclined to a more scientific side [ example: engineering, physics and stuff like that], so does the program include some kind of engineering aspect to it.

I know I just said so much for a small question or hehe message, but please for a $50,000 tuition, I really need to make the right choice

Thank you very much