<p>Hello everyone. I’m currently a sophomore at UW - Madison planning to major in Landscape Architecture, because we lack an Architecture program.</p>
<p>I am absolutely 100% certain that Architecture is the major for me, however I don’t want to transfer. I love my school and would do almost anything to not transfer. My biggest problem is the fact that the LArch program here is going to take me 5 years + an additional 3 years elsewhere for my MArch. That’s a lot of debt.</p>
<p>Although I’m not completely in love with LArch, the classes I’ve taken thus far do interest me and will surely help me to build a portfolio. Also, I feel like majoring in such a related field will help me in the long-run with my MArch. </p>
<p>With all of that said…</p>
<p>Do you guys believe that people who major in Architecture have an advantage when starting the MArch program? Would it be worth it to transfer to a University with an undergrad Arch program, if I could get my undergrad degree in the same amount of time as I could get my LArch at UW? I really don’t want to transfer, but if it’s necessary… Then it has to be done. </p>
<p>Also, is there anyway to enter a 2yr MArch program with a degree in LArch, since it’s such a related field?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Have you bounced this off of an advisor?</p>
<p>And have you compared/contrasted what the [Interior</a> Design](<a href=“Guide < University of Wisconsin-Madison”>Guide < University of Wisconsin-Madison) program has to offer towards your long-term goals.</p>
<p>I agree with stitchintime; I think a heart to heart with your advisor would be step one. One thing that gives me room for pause is your statement that aren’t totally committed to your pursuit of the Landscape architecture degree itself. Having a kid who is in the middle of his third year of LA, and who is up to his sleepless night eyeballs with design (studio) projects, I think you may be questioning your path even more next year if it really isn’t something you want to do. It gets harder and more intense each year.</p>
<p>If you want to stay at UW Madison, why not go for a 4 yr degree in something that also interests you and then go for the MARCH? That might save you a year of school (although with a 5 yr BARCH I think you could get a MARCH in 2 yrs of grad school). Many MARCH recipients do not have to have BARCH backgrounds. In fact from what I have read here and elsewhere, many top grad schools look at those applicants favorably because they have such a different educational perspective. For example, VT has the M. ARCH 3</p>
<p>[VT</a> · school of architecture + design · a+d · graduate architecture program information m.arch.3](<a href=“Schools | College of Architecture, Arts, and Design | Virginia Tech”>Schools | College of Architecture, Arts, and Design | Virginia Tech)</p>
<p>UVA has this path for students with that type of background-
(you’ll need 3 years and a summer…)
[UVa</a> School of Architecture | Master of Architecture Professional Degree](<a href=“http://www.arch.virginia.edu/architecture/march/]UVa”>http://www.arch.virginia.edu/architecture/march/)</p>
<p>Honestly, with the economy right now being so sluggish, all of the design fields are struggling. If you read some of the architecture forums, it is a gloomy picture out there. Many laid off architects are advising students to get their undergrad degrees in something like business or civil engineering, then maybe get a job and go back to grad school for that MARCH later. The problem is you need to make a decision soon before you start filling your schedule with your LA classes. Then you won’t have time to make a change of major without adding more years on anyway. I hope I haven’t muddled the waters too much 
just some food for thought. Hopefully some of the other parents of arch kids will chime in with their thoughts and advice. Best of luck whatever you decide to do!</p>