BArch at Cal Poly SLO vs BA at Berkeley

No statistics; just personal observation among my son’s architecture colleagues and from perusing architect firm bios. Similar to the tendency of many people with undergraduate degrees in business to get MBAs eventually.

Cal Poly SLO is a great school that produces accomplished architects. So does UCB. But there’s no question that the overarching cultures are different. The OP’s daughter probably prefers one over the other.

Architecture is a broad and varied profession. Same goes for schools of architecture. Although all BArch and MArch curriculums cover an architecture board designated balance of design, structures and technology, the focus and emphasis may vary from school to school.

Before making a decision I’d suggest considering college/university culture as a whole, the extracurriculars, the most popular majors, the arts and social activities. I would also compare the actual architecture curriculums, the studio progression, the travel and study abroad opportunities, the ability to dabble in non-architecture disciplines.

I would also note that it’s quite common for BA/BS holders to work for a few years as architectural designers before heading back to graduate school for an MArch, either at the same school as their undergraduate degree or at a different school.

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