Colleges like Temple University for Architecture BS/BA?

College Search & Lists
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Hey there, thanks for helping me out! I am looking for colleges like Temple University and I would like to explain why. I have a 1400 SAT and around a 3.9 weighted GPA (about 3.2 unweighted). I’m aiming to increase my SAT score to around 1450 by focusing on math (my English score is 750), but as a rising senior, I don’t have many opportunities left, so I can’t guarantee any improvement. I’ve taken 9 APs (all 3+), around 8-9 honors classes, and I’m an AP Scholar with Distinction with an AP Capstone Diploma.

I have a deep interest in architecture design/history, urban planning/studies, landscape architecture, interior design/decoration, and sociology (place & environment). I am a big lover of walkability. My personal goal in life is to make my community more walkable by reclaiming streets to reduce car dependency. I want to major in architecture (non pre-professional, no portfolio required) because I believe it’s interdisciplinary enough to help me decide whether I want to achieve my personal goal as an architect or through another path I can differentiate in grad school.

I would love to live on an urban campus. I don’t like driving, and even if I have a license, I want to be able to walk or commute to the nearby city or town without a car.

I am in the “donut hole” where my parents make around $300,000, so I barely qualify for need-based aid. I really want to go to a good school to take advantage of the resources and prestige that comes with it. However, I understand that I won’t qualify for merit-based aid. I’m not Ivy League or top 10 material, but I know I’m smart. This is why I’m interested in colleges like Temple where I know I qualify for merit aid.

Unfortunately, I live on Long Island and my parents want to be able to visit, which limits me to the East Coast. For reference, Ohio and Virginia are the farthest states we’re considering. I would love to go to Chicago or Minneapolis, but my options are limited.

Schools on my list include Northeastern, BU, UMD, UVA, NYU, Temple, UPitt, Smith College, Amherst College. I’m also considering Lehigh University and Stony Brook University. We’re still deciding if UIUC, Washington University, and the University of Notre Dame are too far. I love Case Western and my dad is okay with me going there (he went to school in Ohio, so he doesn’t think it’s too far), but I need to research their pre-architecture program. As for CUNYs and SUNYs, I’m unsure which ones to apply to.

I’ve been thinking more and more about transferring out of community college. Either way, I plan to apply to many schools and see my options. I’m sorry if this is too long or confusing. If you think I should make separate posts or shorten this, please let me know. It’s my first time using this app. I also just got off a plane and I want to get this published before my busy day tomorrow. If there’s anything I should know about this app, please inform me because I intend to make a separate post about my extracurriculars. Thanks for understanding!

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This terminology is a little confusing… normally programs like Temple’s are referred to as pre-professional. But I think what you mean is that you don’t want a professional BArch program, but rather a BA/BS in architecture like Temple’s, right?

The first to come to mind as a peer program to Temple’s is U of Cincinnati’s BS in Architecture. This is another urban public that gives merit, and does not require a portfolio. It differs from Temple in that it’s a co-op program; but you have Northeastern on your list so I assume you’re open to that.

A bit beyond your VA limit but maybe worth a look given your interests is the Historic Preservation & Community Planning program at College of Charleston. Great program in a great, historic city… good honors college and good merit available.

SUNY Buffalo’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning has both a BS in Architecture and a BA in Environmental Design. The campus isn’t in the urban part of Buffalo but there’s pretty good access to the city. Undergraduate Programs - School of Architecture and Planning-UB - University at Buffalo

Since you have Smith on your list, but want urban access and presumably like Philadelphia, consider Bryn Mawr, which offers easy commuter rail access to Philly: Architectural Design

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Catholic University of America might be an interesting option. It’s in DC with great access to the city. Their program is not BArch but they do have IPAL.

Also, not sure how south you’re willing to go or how weird you’re willing to be but The American College of the Building Arts in Charleston has a super cool program.

As for Philly, what about Drexel?

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Thank you for the in-depth reply! I really appreciate it.

Yes, I did mean a BArch program, sorry for the confusion. I did put BS/BA in the title, but I should’ve been more specific.

I was actually in Myrtle Beach a few days ago and I was asking my parents if I could go to college there and they said no. To be fair, Myrtle Beach was not the best experience for us. It was too MAGA and I had trouble finding food to eat. Charleston is a great city though; I would love to visit. I’m sure it’s different from Myrtle Beach.

UBuffalo is a school I will definitely consider. I’ll have to look into how easy it is to get to the city itself. I’m also curious about the weather there, so if anyone has any insight, please enlighten me.

I remember looking at Bryn Mawr actually. I think I took it off my list because it is an all-women’s college. My parents will tolerate Smith College because it is in the 5 College Consortium. Drawing the line at an all-women’s college is pretty ridiculous to me, but they’re paying for my education, so I’ll have to see. Hopefully, we can tour.

Thank you so much for the help. Have a great day!

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Thank you for the reply!

I remember seeing Catholic University of America when looking for DC schools! To be honest, I really don’t understand why none of the good DC schools offer architecture majors or minors. DC houses incredible examples of historical architecture by leading architects. It seems like a missed opportunity to me. Anyway, this school seems like a good safety, so I will definitely look into it.

Unfortunately, Charleston is too far south.

Drexel actually requires a portfolio for both their Architecture and Architectural Studies majors.

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I think if your family makes $300,000, you’re not in the doughnut hole. You won’t “barely” qualify.

I’m not a B Arch person so others have responded.

But with a 3.2 undergrad and a 1400/1450 SAT, you’ll likely have to lower your sights a bit.

Also, since you will be full pay (short of going to a school with known merit), you should set a budget.

For example, BU is, without books, travel, etc. - $87K a year.

Is your family willing to pay that?

I don’t think you get in - but it’s what some school’s cost (today, b4 you go and without annual inflation).

I do think many names on your list are reaches, which likely makes you have to adjust the schools you are looking at.

But you also need to set a budget because colleges come in many different cost levels.

I’ll let others answer as to the contest of the program - but would schools like these work?

They’re not in MAGA areas.

These are B-Arch from third party but of course, many schools have Urban Studies or Design which would grow the list. If Charleston is too far, some of these might be too - but I didn’t see a lot of B Arch near you.

Arizona
Illinois Tech
Minnesota
NJIT
NYIT
Pratt

Here’s a SUNY search since you’re from NY. You could see which campuses the various programs that interest you are located.

Undergraduate Program Search - SUNY

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OP is saying they do not want a BArch, but rather want a pre-arch BA/BS.

It’s clear that Arizona and Minnesota are farther than OP’s parents are willing to consider.

And art schools like Pratt, in addition to being BArch programs and not interdisciplinary to the extent that OP wants, will also be portfolio-heavy in admissions.

OP… Bryn Mawr is also in a consortium, with Haverford, Swarthmore, and Penn Maybe this would help your parents to regard it more favorably. The problem is that your stats aren’t likely to get you big merit from these schools, so they may be too expensive.

Another in this category, with a great studio-based arch studies major, is Conn College. It’s a former women’s college but has been co-ed since 1969. Not as urban or accessible without a car as you want, but there is the cross sound ferry between New London and Long Island.

Drexel is a great suggestion - another co-op school and likely to give some decent merit money with your stats. Cincinnati deserves a close look too.

Apply to Pitt ASAP - admissions are rolling, and the application is already open. Their programs and setting seem like a great fit.

You could consider Syracuse. Their architecture major is a BArch, but they offer a minor in architecture that you could combine with a different major, and also a BS in Design Studies that doesn’t require a portfolio. You might get enough merit here… although I don’t have a sense of how much “enough” would be.

In Hartford, Trinity College could be worth a look Major Requirements - Urban Studies and also U of Hartford: BS in Architectural Design + Technology - University of Hartford

And in Virginia, maybe check out VCU: Urban and Regional Studies, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) < Virginia Commonwealth University Academic Catalog

Closer to home, Hofstra’s Urban Ecology major might work.

Good luck!

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Oh, I read this, sorry.

I had VCU and UHa on the list - but saw it wasn’t a B Arch…so I took it off. Glad you found them.

I was worried with the 3.2 and 1400 that OP’s list is too heavy.

As they’re a NY resident, I put the SUNY major list - would any majors work at a SUNY - that could give the OP a lower cost and at some schools, easier to get into option?

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Buffalo looks like the best SUNY option for the criteria given - the only other truly urban campus is Albany, and there’s no architecture-adjacent major there. (There’s ESF in Syracuse, but they just have a 5-year professional BLA which isn’t what OP is looking for. A more general Environmental Studies major with the LArch minor might work, especially if there are arch classes at Syracuse that would be accessible through cross-registration; SU does have an arch minor in addition to a BArch.) Stony Brook’s Environmental Design, Policy, and Planning major could work if staying on LI would be okay.

In the CUNY system, Hunter and Queens both have Urban Studies majors that might work (The only arch program is the BArch at CCNY).

Ohio State might be worth considering also: Bachelor of Science in Architecture | Knowlton School

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My son applied to a few BArch/Arch programs. His stats were similar to yours. Got into Temple, Drexel, CUA, Belmont and a few others.

FWIW the places that required a portfolio… they weren’t really architectural drawings. He sent pics of some portraits he drew. He helped a guy restore some hardwood floors and sent pictures of before and after. Over summer he worked as a roofer and included a picture of himself up on one.

I know some kids go to summer architecture programs to develop portfolios, and go to high schools that offer classes and teach students to use advanced arch software. But that’s not everybody.

Some of the schools value practical knowledge. Just send a picture of a hammer and say I know how this thing works.

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These are all fine schools, but most of these are not easy to get into. Just as important, check if they are going to be affordable. You won’t qualify for need based aid, and merit aid may not be likely either (and some of these don’t offer merit aid at all).

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I think most of the schools on your list will be reaches with a 3.2, but you will most likely be accepted to Temple. My grandson (GS23) was accepted to Temple’s architecture program with a 3.2 or 3.3 GPA and 1250 SAT. You also have a good chance at Drexel, though costs will most likely be higher than at Temple.

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Rochester Institute of Technology and RPI might also be worth a look.

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@aquapt already mentioned this, but Pitt’s rolling admissions is open now, and I think it could be a really good fit for you. Some students who applied at this time last year had their (non-binding!) Pitt acceptance in hand by the end of August. That could be a great way to kick off senior year.

I’m sure you’re looking into all of the various permutations of schools / majors, but wanted to highlight Pitt’s BA in Urban Studies (home page; courses), which might end up more in line with your description of your urban renewal / walkability interests than an architecture / arch studies degree (though, again, it sounds like you’ve considered your options, and if you pursue the arch path, cool cool).

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Then I urge you to consider/reconsider the College of Charleston even though it may be beyond the geographical limits set by your parents. C of C meets all of your other desires including merit grants.

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OP wants merit aid - but have they provided a budget or an amount that their parents are willing to spend?

Given many names being tossed around, that’s important.

Saying I qualify for merit as OP said about Temple doesn’t mean a school hits the price target.

OP - what is your price target? Have that discussion with your family - so that posters can point you to programs that will meet your needs.

In regards to urban studies, if that’s a path you take, there will likely be more options. Some may be minors. URI has a minor in Community Planning, as an example and that could be supplement with a major of interest.

You also (OP) mentioned community college - perhaps someone knowledgeable could help OP with that?

Really, OP, I think having a budget figure to work from (vs. I qualify for merit) would really help.

Just throwing out two more options to the group:

Would U Delaware and Policy Studies works for the student. They have a Urban Policy, Planning, & Historic Preservation Concentration.

Or U of Mary Washington ?

Both would certainly be possible admission wise. UMW says they have the oldest program in the nation.

Anyway, hope OP takes time to discuss the budget with her folks!!

No doubt there are very good universities/colleges out there for her.

Concentration Courses (udel.edu)

Prospective Majors - Historic Preservation (umw.edu)

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Before I got to the part of “I’d love Minnesota but it is too far”, that is the school I was thinking of for you. It is a flight away, but it’s a flight that is easy to navigate, runs often and is not very expensive. MSP is one of my favorite airports due to how easy it is to navigate.

I’d also target RIT as an academic match, but it will be pricey. While not a match in terms of the urban campus you are looking for, the emphasis on coops is similar to Temple.

UMASS Lowell would be a match for urban environment and academics. You’d also be close to other major urban areas like Boston and Worcester which would be interesting for your studies. They offer a BLA degree with an architecture studies concentration. That seems like it might give you the urban planning and arch. history classes that you are interested in. Bachelor of Liberal Arts - Architectural Studies Concentration | UMass Lowell

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I’m going to emphasize U. of Cincinnati as an option for you to seriously consider. It was the very first school that popped into mind for me. I’ll think about some additional options and post more later.

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Wow, thank you so much!

I definitely have too many reaches so I’m looking for reasonable schools in good locations.

I actually didn’t realize Bryn Mawr is in a consortium. Thank you for informing me. I definitely want to visit now.

Conn College is an interesting suggestion. I’ve never heard of them.

Drexel is a great school for me, I agree! Unfortunately, they require a portfolio.

I will look more into Syracuse. I hear that it’s pretty expensive. I love the city though. I don’t mind the work hard play hard lifestyle.

I can’t afford 80k per year for a school, but I believe I can afford around 30-40k. Anything less will help me afford grad school. I have not checked my expected contribution yet but when I do, I’ll be sure to add it.

I am definitely considering majoring in something that is not architecture. I just want to be sure that there are studios available. An architecture minor sounds great!

My dad has been telling me about Ohio State. Perhaps, it is time I finally listen to him haha.

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Thank you so much.

I have some art experience from the two years of art that I did in High School, I’m not sure if I can put that. I would like to though. Three of my pieces were selected by my teacher for the annual art show in my school district. I also have a leadership position as President in the art/fashion club in my school for my senior year.

Besides that, I don’t do much art at home. I mostly do writing. I only have one recent art piece that is an original drawing I did. It is a townhouse I designed based on some that I saw in a recent London trip. It is a pencil drawing. I just shaded it with my fingers.

The only other things I can think of are: powerwashing my deck and gardening. We have very intricate flower arrangements and I take a lot of care into arranging, as well as trimming bushes.

Would this work? Or maybe I should make a separate post and ask? Thank you.