Cadillac of Prep programs or the local CC?

College Majors Architecture Majors
1

<p>OK, so I jumped the gun and signed up for a grad prep program out here in LA called the Los Angeles Institute of Arc and Design. It is an excellent program with a reputation for feeding students into top architecture schools. Only downside is that the prep program costs six grand for the year. That might be cheap for some but for me it’s a pretty penny. </p>

<p>SEMESTER 1<br>
Perception and Principles / Basic Design
GP 101 A Conceptual Design 3 units
GP 101 B Basic Architectural Drawing / Computer Applications 3 units</p>

<p>SEMESTER 2<br>
Design Process
GP 102 A Basic Architectural Design 1 3 units
GP 102 B Basic Architectural Drawing 2 / Computer Applications 3 units
Arch 203 Portfolio Development 0 units</p>

<p>These four courses are the basics of the year long program.</p>

<p>Now I just found a cheaper, closer program literally three miles down from me at LA Valley College. It’s a typical community college with a certificate program in Architecture. </p>

<p>ENG GEN 101
Introduction to Science, Engineering Materials and Technology
Math 115* Elementary Algebra (or higher level math course)</p>

<p>ARC 172
Architecture Drawing I</p>

<p>ARC 173
Architecture Drawing II</p>

<p>ARC 221
Architectural Rendering</p>

<p>EGT 211*
Elementary Engineering Graphics</p>

<p>ARC 271
Architectural Drawing III</p>

<p>ARC 161
Introduction to Computer Aided Architecture Drawing</p>

<p>This program might take me three semesters, Already meet the math requirement and will cost me roughly 800-1000 bucks. So I save 5 grand. </p>

<p>The first school has an excellent reputation with outstanding professors in their field. I don’t know much about the second program but I doubt it would be nearly as stocked full of reputable professors. I could be wrong and hope I would be surprised. </p>

<p>Your thoughts? One year at a reputable program known for placing students in top programs for 6k or go with the lesser known CC for 1k?</p>

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<p>I’d say neither. You don’t have to study architecture in order to study architecture. You’ve already received a BA. Now you just need to apply to some M.Arch programs. </p>

<p>Yes, your portfolio will be a critical element in admissions, but it doesn’t necessarily have to reflect prior architecture training. A class or two in architectual drawing is always helpful, but that’s different from a whole year to year and a half program.</p>

<p>While you’re going through the application process, you might also get a job with a real life firm – a valuable asset in admissions. </p>

<p>UCLA has an information session on October 29, Sci-Arc on October 26. Attend and ask them what they’re looking for.</p>