Any parents whose S or D have applied for architecture

[Mom112233]

undergrad program? how competitive is it to get into a top program?
how is the selection process? is it any different for any other undergrad program? I'm guessing it's different since most students apply to undergrad undecided, and in this case my D knows she wants architecture...
Thanks a lot!

[PackMom]

S is not an Arch. major but one of his friends is. At their State U., the School of Design is prob. the most competitive to gain entry into. They require a portfolio of work and I think an interview in addition to the regular application requirements.

[curmudgeon]

Talk to soozievt. She might be up to speed. Her D the Elder just got accepted to an architecture grad program.

[Mom112233]

thanks...i'll look for her..

[momrath]

Mom112233, Do you know that there's an "Architecture Major" board on this site? Some very knowledgeable students, parents and practicing architects post there. Here's a link to a thread about this year's acceptances:

Architecture Acceptances - 2008 cycle - by member name

[Mom112233]

Thanks a lot for the link!

[arkitex]

Generally, Architecture is competitive to get into. It's also a rigorous, time consuming major, so since your daughter already knows that is going to be her major, she has the possibility of getting through the program without a lot of extra years of school, assuming she follows the proscribed curriculum. There are a lot of great programs around the country, so she should have some good choices to make. There are 'philosophies' in architecture, so she should find out when she's looking at a school, what she might expect in the program. If she can find information on published work of the faculty and the leadership of the school of architecture, that will tell her a lot, in addition to visiting the school and looking at the work of the students on display and talking with some of the students.

[StitchInTime]

Here's a good backgrounder on on Architectural Programs: Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

[mathmom]

Architecture programs generally look for some ability in math and physics and an ability to draw and visualize in three dimensions. In order to demonstrate the latter two, you submit a portfolio. I don't know how competitive admissions are, but here are the admissions statistics for Carnegie Mellon. CFA includes both the art and architecture school, and while you can see that they don't require the highest scores and GPA they have the lowest percentage of admittances. If you have questions about architecture feel free to PM me, but I went the BA to Master of Arch. route.

[mathmom]

Hmm forgot to give you the link: Admission Statistics