What are some of the "best" architecture schools?

Schneidereit · 07-03-2009, 06:00 PM

I've wanted to be an architect since I was about six years old, mainly because I love art and math, plus my dad is an architect so I've been around in my whole life...

But anyways, I'm going to be a sophomore this year. I earn straight A's, am enrolled in two AP classes, one Pre-AP class, and one honors class for this year, I play JV water polo and swim, and have many hobbies.

Aaaaanyways, what are some of the top schools for a 5 year Bachelor of Architecture program? Please don't say Cal Poly hahaha, but seriously. I don't know if I should go to Ivy League, or just a regular public school or what...
Help??
I don't know if an Ivy is worth it because I think I mainly just want to go there because of the prestige and not so much for the education, which is the most important thing...

And I'm not really aware of very many "good" architecture schools out there

caitylin · 07-03-2009, 06:05 PM

The USA's best architecture schools in research: 2009 | archsoc.com

Schneidereit · 07-03-2009, 06:09 PM

Thanks

but it doesn't specify if it's undergrad or graduate...

caitylin · 07-03-2009, 06:11 PM

this is just a starting block you can always do some research yourself of course... :]

worried_mom · 07-03-2009, 06:45 PM

Schneidereit, the rankings list cited by caitylin is based solely on "research output" (which is supposedly derived by counting how many times the name of one of that school's teachers popped up in certain databases). As the authors themselves state, this ranking is of little value to someone trying to choose for an undergraduate architecture program.

If you search the CC archives, you'll find other lists that are perhaps more relevant to your situation, such as the DI list of BArch programs. I would still caution you, however, that all rankings are suspect, but the DI rankings will at least give you a starting place. The link below will get you to an extended discussion about the most recent DI rankings:

America's Best Architecture & Design schools

Schneidereit · 07-03-2009, 09:46 PM

Okay, I will look there
Thank you so much : )

sports_guy_5 · 07-03-2009, 09:50 PM

Syracuse University
Cornell University (one of the best)
Cooper Union (gives full ride tuition)
Pratt Institute
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech (top notch)
Clemson University
UC Berkeley
MIT
Rice
University of Maryland: College Park
North Carolina State University
Notre Dame
University of Southern California
Washington University of St. Louis

I'm looking at architecture, too. And this is just a few that i can think of off the top of my head.

beltwaymom · 07-03-2009, 09:56 PM

Design Intelligence trade pub does an annual ranking.

msheft · 07-03-2009, 10:45 PM

If you are looking at just 5 year BArch programs, here is a list.

Syracuse University
Cornell University
Cooper Union (gives full ride tuition)
Pratt Institute
Virginia Tech (top notch)
Rice
North Carolina State University
Notre Dame
University of Southern California
Cal Poly SLO
IIT
U of Miami
RPI
Iowa State
Oregon
CMU
Penn State
Rhode Island School of Design
U of Texas, Austin

My son was only interested in 5 year BArch. He applied to Penn St, Syracuse, USC. He will be attending USC this fall.

hawkswim09 · 07-03-2009, 10:57 PM

that is a pretty good list for BArch Programs, you don't seem to have left any majors ones out.

Also Ivies, except Cornell, don't have BArch Programs for Architecture; their master programs are where they get their recognition for architecture.

Schneidereit · 07-04-2009, 12:48 AM

But don't Ivies offer undergraduate in architecture?...
I thought that they had an undergraduate program and are just known for their graduate programs... Like Harvard and Princeton...

momrath · 07-04-2009, 03:29 AM

Quote:

But don't Ivies offer undergraduate in architecture?...

In order to practice architecture you need a B.Arch or a M.Arch. Among the ivies -- plus Stanford and MIT -- only Cornell offers the B.Arch. Some of the other selective schools offer a BA or a BS in architecture or architectural studies. With a BA or BS in architecture you would still need to get an M.Arch.

Many M.Arch candidates have undergraduate BA or BS degrees in architecture, in design or in art; conversely a fair number have BA or BS degrees in whatever interested them, like philosophy or biology. The BA/BS + M.Arch takes a lot longer than the B.Arch route, but it's not all that unusual among architects.

If you know you want to become an architect and want the fastest most direct route, then you need to find a school that offers the B.Arch.

vyan2 · 07-16-2009, 03:01 AM

how come UCLA is not in any of those lists?

consider you have graduate professors such as Thom Mayne, Hitoshi Abe, Jason Payne, Greg Lynn, and Neil Denari..

Schneidereit · 07-29-2009, 12:47 AM

UCLA only offers a graduate program for architecture.... not undergrad.... it really sucks...

vyan2 · 08-03-2009, 02:16 AM

^ they have undergraduate btw. the opened it last year. its called architectural studies. a BA Degree.