You could also considered a 4 year BS degree in Architectural Studies followed by a MArch degree. UIUC would be a great in state option for this.
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Sure, but I see no advantages and huge additional costs in time and money. So, the question becomesâŠwhy?
Well, and Iâm not saying this because Iâm particularly uncertain about my career path, but I canât tell the future so my thought process is applying to some good unis that offer this indirect path so INCASE and I emphasize INCASE, I decide that maybe this isnât fit for me, it would be easier to âstrayâ from my originally intended career path since the undergrad program isnât 100% pivoted around arch.
I thought about this, but my family and I have collectively decided that we donât want to stay in Chicago because of the winters here lol
This was very useful thank you! Definitely location is a big things, I love the west coast because of the weather but we have a lot of family in New York and the eastern coast, primarily why those are my target locations.
Just looking at the BArch list, though, I see a lot of other colleges where if you decided not to do architecture, you would still be at a very good college for other things too.
Like even if you do not include the Cal Polys, just off lilyeshâs list, CMU, Syracuse, Cornell, Virginia Tech, RIT, UMass Amherst, Miami, Pitt, RPI, and WPI could all be good choices for non-architectural purposes as well.
Then I have zero idea how these compare for architecture specifically, but on that NAAB list I also see USC, Notre Dame, Cooper Union, NC State, Penn State, Rice, Texas . . . .
Again without claiming to know anything about those specific architecture programs, it sure seems to me like it could be possible to put together a full list of Reach, Target, and Likely colleges, all of which had a BArch program AND would also be good generally if you did not stick with architecture.
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I agree. I would probably exclude WPI and RPI though just because their list of majors is relatively limited. I would include Cal Poly. Itâs hard to swim upstream into more difficult admits, but a student admitted to BArch would have a bunch of majors they could switch to.
This is great info to have. Is there anything else you can share about what youâre looking for? As a reference, here are some questions that might prod your thinking.
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Thatâs a good point. Maybe if you knew it was Architecture or something else they offered, but I generally support thinking more broadly about how your interests might take unexpected turns in college.
But that still leaves a really long and varied list of what I would consider just normally broad universities that happen to have a BArch program.
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For all the schools, look at the requirements for entry to the architecture major. If acceptance to the major requires a portfolio, then itâs impossible for anyone to chance you for that on this thread. If acceptance to the major does not require a portfolio, then thatâs the only place that chancing would be helpful.
Iâm leaving Cal Poly â SLO because California schools are their own special beast (and Cal and UCLA are always low probability so I can do those with ease 
). @Gumbymom or @UCBalumnus may have better data for you on the California publics.
But below are some schools you may want to consider, sorted by my guesses as to what your chances might be if no portfolio is required. I chose schools on the west coast (or close, like Arizona) for the weather, and I selected schools mostly near NYC or that were further south for the climate benefits. Iâve indicated whether the school is accredited for a B. Arch or an M. Arch with the assumption that the M. Arch schools offer a B.S. in architecture, or similar. That is something you would need to investigate more fully, however.
Extremely Likely (80-99+%)
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Arizona State: M. Arch
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U. of Arizona: B. Arch & M. Arch
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U. of Oregon: B. Arch, M. Arch
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Drexel: B. Arch
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Temple: M. Arch
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U. of North Carolina â Charlotte: M. Arch
Likely (60-79%)
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Syracuse (only if you show a lot of demonstrated interestâŠif you donât, you may well get a rejection)
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U. of Maryland (must apply EA, otherwise this is a likely rejection): M. Arch
Toss-Up (40-59%)
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North Carolina State: B. Arch, M. Arch
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U. of Miami (FL): B. Arch, M. Arch
Lower Probability (20-39%)
- U. of Florida: M. Arch
Low Probability (less than 20%)
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UC â Berkeley: M. Arch
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UCLA: M. Arch
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U. of Southern California: B. Arch, M. Arch
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U. Penn: M. Arch
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Cornell: B. Arch, M. Arch
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Columbia: M. Arch
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Princeton: M. Arch
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Georgia Tech: M. Arch
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Well, the winters in Champaign are much milder than Ithaca, New York(Cornell).
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Thank you for the advice! About the portfolio, how important is it exactly for an admission? I never really understood the point of it past creative mindset because I always thought that since weâre going to uni to study architecture, itâs not expected that we have amazing renderings etc. I have taken CAD arch and technical drawing classes, so I have a few pieces + a lot of mixed media art, but is that good enough? Is there something Iâm missing past what they list as their criteria in eg. Cornell?
Also a side note on Pitt- apply in August when the application opens. You should hear back soon after and likely with an acceptance. Then you can cull the list to just schools you would go to over Pitt. Itâs a great school, good program, and you can cross register at CMU.
Good to know! Iâll definitely do that!
Have you seen this thread?
I canât speak knowledgeably to the assessment of the portfolio, but I believe that the portfolio is important, so Iâm hoping that @momrath or @bgbg4us will chime in. Perhaps @Mashinations or @SFoulkes96 have additional insight?
Thanks! Hadnât seen it.
BA-Arch & BArch programs that require a portfolio (many schools also list as optional), you would want to look at their guidance on the website for any specifics on what they are looking for - it will differ school to school. GENERALLY they are NOT looking for technical drawings or architecture/engineering type items. They want to see a potential students ability to freehand draw what they are seeing. Pencil shetches, charcoal, etc. Usually lots of ability to throw in mixed media, photographs, sculpture/models, etc - they want to understand your design perspective.
Some schools are very loose on their guidance, others are incredibly specific (Carnegie Mellon stands out in memory).
If you were applying to an MArch program coming out of a BA-Arch, they likely expect much more if the portfolio to be building related.
Following the 4+2 MArch route is fine but youâre adding another year of school and cost but depending on what schools are in play the 6 years could be less than 5 at some BArch programs.
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D24 went through the architecture admission process last fall/this spring and considered some of the schools mentioned in this thread.
Places that admit by major or have a secondary admission process for architecture tend to have a much smaller acceptance rate for architecture than the overall acceptance rate listed for a school (especially large public universities).
Schools listed in the thread where this is applicable:
UNC Charlotte (4 year BA leading into potential 40 additional credit M.Arch), detailed portfolio plus possible interview (cuts are made before and after the interview round), probably around 20% acceptance rate
NC State, admits by major, very small architecture undergraduate program, one of very few in-state options for a state with over 11 million people, acceptance rate much lower than overall acceptance rate. Watch the architecture specific deadlines as well.
Syracuse - met with an admissions rep whose face went completely serious when D24 mentioned architecture. Extremely competitive, advised to follow all portfolio and other application instructions precisely.
Virginia Tech - admits by major, the architecture department is not involved in the admission process. Acceptance rate around 20% for architecture, much lower than for engineering or the overall school average.
Architecture tends to see a lot of melt, and itâs not easy to change into, so some places try to use the portfolio to select for whatever characteristics they think will make for a successful architect. Many places feel that they can teach you the technical stuff, but the more they are into design the more they may want you to show them your eye, a window into how you see the world. Can you translate what you see into something you can communicate to another person?
Even once she had completed the pieces she ended up using, D24 spent SO long putting together the portfolios for each school, because each one wanted something differentâŠSlideRoom here, pdf there, direct upload another place, short description, long description, essay. Specific resolutions. No two colleges wanted the same stuff.
If they give you one full page of detailed instructions, they can see if you are careful/attentive, and also that you care enough about that universityâs program to jump through the hoops. Her pieces included numerous paintings because those were most representative for her, also set designs, sketches, a 3D model, and mixed media. Most places said they wanted to see your best stuff, some had minimums from various categories. CAD was a no-go at every place she applied to. You can search online for examples of portfolios that were submitted by successful applicants at various places.
For places where the architecture department looks at portfolios, it can be a useful tool for them to be able to distinguish between candidates. Maybe they are looking for X, or maybe they donât want to end up with only X. I told D24 to put herself out there and if it they didnât like it, it probably wasnât going to be a good fit anyway.
Since you are not quite decided on prestige/Ivy for undergraduate + M.Arch vs. the quality of the undergraduate architecture program, there is no harm in applying to both types of schools if you have the time & funds to pursue either path. What you really want will probably become more clear to you as you go through the process this fall/next spring (it did for D24).
I think you have a strong profile and will do very well!
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Itâs also worth noting that the send half of the BA/BS + MArch path is not guaranteed. Everyone has their own opinion, all valid, but Iâm a fan of the bird in hand.
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A lot to unpack here. Considering that in the United States there are about 50 BArch programs, about 50 MArch programs and an uncountable number of BA/BS degrees in architecture and related subjects, youâre looking at a WIDE range of options.
Iâm a parent of an architect, not an architect myself, but over the years have followed the careers of many of my sonâs friends and colleagues. My observation is that architecture is a broad and diverse field, both in education and in practice and that thereâs no single best path.
If youâd like to attend an Ivy, then by all means apply to Cornell and any of the Ivy BA programs that appeal to you. Just be aware that a BA from Harvard or Yale, for example, will not necessarily guarantee admission to a Harvard or Yale MArch program.
Without doubt the BArch is the fastest and in most cases (but not always) the least costly route to licensure and the title âarchitectâ. But itâs also without doubt that for many practicing architects â my son included â the combination of a BS/BA+MArch was a better choice. Iâd advise you to do a deep dive into both options and consider the type of undergraduate experience that youâre looking for.
My son did his undergraduate degree in art and art history at a selective LAC. Before deciding to pursue his MArch he worked for a couple of years in the marketing department of a design focused firm. His classmates at his MArch program at Cornell represented a wide range of diversity, not just racial and economic but also in education, age, work and life experience. Even with their MArchs some now work in architecture, some in planning, some in tech, some in education.
An architecture hopefulâs application list is no different from any college application list: it needs to contain a balance of reach/match/safety. This is somewhat complicated for BArch and selective BS Architecture programs since many are maddeningly coy about publishing their acceptance rates. You can assume that acceptance rates to programs that are consistently top rated will be in the single digits.
Aside from the Ivies, BA/BS+MArch programs that Iâd look at would be UMich, UVA, Northeastern, WUSTL. These are all reaches, but there are many others at differing levels of selectivity. Some will guarantee continuation from BA/BS to MArch for students in good standing, though many BA/BS grads prefer to change schools for their MArch and/or to work in architecture in between.
If a portfolio is required you can be sure that it will be a critical factor in admissions. As others have noted most schools provide instructions on what theyâre looking for: Generally speaking, creativity, facility with various media especially hand drawing, and a sense of the aesthetics of presentation.
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CPSLO and CPP have BArch programs.
Freshman Student Profile has information about prior year admission thresholds at CPP. Architecture was a highly competitive major, needing more than a 4.0 GPA (as recalculated by CSU, so probably around 3.7 unweighted with sufficient AP courses) for admission.
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