I know this is an older post, but my rising junior is very interested in architecture. For various reasons, we think the best option is likely a b degree majoring (or maybe minoring) in architecture, then a MArch. I saw the info on this UCBoulder program and it looks great on paper, so seeing your positive post on it is heartening. 2 questions that you may or may not know the answer to: (1) is it significantly more competitive for admissions than other Boulder programs? (2) do you know or know where I could find what kind of MArch programs students tend to go to afterwards? Thanks!
I never found an answer to the competitiveness question at the time when my D17 was applying, but I just looked to see if I could find any objective data on the question, and found this:
So, acceptance rates aren’t mentioned, but with stat ranges a hair lower than A&S (but higher than the Communication and Education schools), I wouldn’t worry about a competitiveness gradient. (Info was found here: https://www.colorado.edu/admissions/process/first-year/plan)
With regard to grad programs, I would just ask them directly.
Center for Advising & Student Achievement
Phone: 303-492-8010
Email: envdoffice@colorado.edu
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My D is an architect after doing a BS in arch at northeastern and then a plus one year for MARCH also at northeastern. With a BS in env D from cu Boulder, your child would have to go to any 2 year MARCH program to work towards licensure. If she attends a school that offers a BS in arch and masters then thr curriculum is likely designed for a one year masters like northeasterns. Or there’s the traditional BARCH 5 year program that is equivalent to a MARCH. Others do an entirely different major and then need to do a three year MARCH program bc they need some of the basics in design. It is dependent on how the school is accredited. There are no right or wrong ways to go through the training.
For those not sure they want to become an architect, then a Bs program Is a good way to go. The training in critical thinking, project management, design etc can be used in so many fields. Architecture studios and coursework is rigorous.
I also suggest you look into any summer arch programs for high schoolers. Our D did one at calpoly after her junior year which was amazing. We told her that even if she came out hating arch, it was better than spending two years in college studios etc and then wanting to change majors, bc not a lot of classes overlap with other majors. The summer program was a bit pricey but better than two years of college costs if she had wanted to change majors. For her, she found she loved studio time, and most importantly found her people… creative folks but strong in math and science… like her. Many of those kids went to different arch schools across the country and are architects (or working towards licensure) now and are still in touch!
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Thanks, twicemama. We have looked into this fairly well I think, and for various reasons (including a late diagnosis and finding correct treatment for ADHD, meaning the first 18 months of high school GPA are not great) we don’t think they will be competitive for direct entry BArch especially in CA (student tests very well and will likely have good SAT scores, but CA publics don’t use these anymore). So would probably prefer a 4 year arch major, but also considering 4 year in a related field (maybe arch minor) before MArch. Student wants to stay in California or easy flight distance of so boulder is about as far east as feasible, but it is also a bit limiting on options (so far only really USF and USD coming up as options with a 4 year arch major -the focus of the UCLA major does not appeal to them) . The 3 year MArch outcome is not a big issue. Kid is actually a year young for their grade already, so there’s not much pressure to complete in fastest time possible.
Another option we are considering is one of the CA community colleges that does arch pathways into BArch, ideally into somewhere like Cal Poly SLO - where they are also very keen to do the summer arch program next year. But that runs the risk of still not getting a transfer in and majoring in something else before BArch.
…your kid sounds a lot like mine, strong in all of math, science and art.
…I didn’t really mention all that earlier because the focus was on CU, but I guess the context helps.
Thanks! I did find that after I posted…not sure how to judge it tbh as student gpa likely to look so-so in that context, but standardized tests will probably be above their 75th percentile. (I was a little worried it was like say cal poly Pomona, where overall competitiveness is not a major issue but BArch is very competitive.)
Contact details are useful, I will certainly ask!
As I recall, there was a way to submit a portfolio to ENVD when my D17 applied - if that’s still the case, and your D has one, that could strengthen her application.
A less-reachy Architecture BA/BS program to look at is Portland State. My D did their summer intensive (which is for college students) and really liked the program and the faculty. It’s a WUE school, so the costs would be similar to a UC in-state, and it’s pretty easy to get to as well. The architecture program is heavily involved in the community and does a ton of interesting public-benefit projects.
The Arch Studies program at U of Utah could also be worth a look. The cutoff for the WUE discount is a 3.3UW (and there’s also the path-to-residency option as an alternative to WUE). So it’s a lot more affordable than Boulder, for CA students, and also easier to get to.
Is your D pretty sure that she would want the architecture track within ENVD, or is landscape arch a possibility as well? If she’s considering LArch too, that opens up some more possibilities.
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Good luck! Sounds like you are doing all the right research!
I’ve never heard of a community college track into a BARCH program and would really want to know that the caliber of the early studio classes meet the requirements for the transfer college. Bc it’s a professional degree and the schools are accredited, their class requirements can be pretty strict.
Like another poster said, your D should definitely look to out a portfolio together, not only of any pre-arch projects (done at summer program for instance) but also samples of any artwork they have done, or other creative projects. It allows admissions to see their creativity and innovation. My D got a great scholarship based on hers so we’ll worth the effort!
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Definitely arch, wants to design buildings. I’m not sure they’d love Utah - I know the area around the university is very liberal and we saw lots of pride flags there etc, but Utah as a state is probably too conservative for my lgbtq kid. I’ll raise it as a possibility though. Portland would probably be more attractive.
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Re CC’s, there are a limited number that offer the track, and they only track into a handful of colleges. Cuesta CC in SLO is popular as it’s a good option for both arch and engineering transfers into cal poly slo and has Significantly higher admit rate than other source colleges. There are no guaranteed pathways though, even as some of these CCs have TAGs into various UCs.
Info here : Colleges and Universities - California Community Colleges with Architecture Programs | California Architects Board
SLO example of what you need to transfer in : https://architecture.calpoly.edu/prospective/transfer
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It’s hard to get much LGBTQ+ friendlier than Portland! PSU is large (although it has only half the undergrad population of CU Boulder) and has a large commuter population, but the architecture program is close-knit and the sub-communities in the dorms are too. There’s honors housing for those who qualify, and also some interesting themed floors.
PSU participates in the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure program. The various projects of the Center for Public Interest Design are also worth checking out.
Also, admissions are rolling. The kids I know who applied in August had a decision in September. There’s no better safety than an early acceptance!
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That’s definitely useful to know! Thanks
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I spent some time in the UColorado Environmental Design website but didn’t find answers to your entirely reasonable questions. I would agree that contacting the school directly is your best approach. Their architecture program probably offers major specific information sessions, either in person or online.
On the plus side, in perusing the educational and career backgrounds of their substantial architecture faculty, I was impressed by the depth and breadth of their experience. Some did their MArchs at UColorado Denver — which would be an avenue to explore — and many are licensed working architects.
In making their application list, your child might also look at universities that offer undergraduate degrees that draw on their Schools of Architecture and MArch programs. The degree could be a BA/BS in architectural studies or something less direct in a related department. This route doesn’t guarantee admission to the university’s MArch program but it does provide opportunities to interact with the school of architecture. Some western universities to look at in this context would be Washington, New Mexico, Arizona. And further east, Kansas (both U of and State) and WUSTL.
Basically there are lots of paths to admission to good MArch programs. MArch admissions look for diversity of all sorts, including diversity of education.
Some other questions that I would ask UC Boulder:
What criteria does the ENVD use to determine admissions? Design/art courses? Portfolios? Interviews? What’s the procedure for communicating pertinent information?
After students complete the mandatory 3 semester “ENVD Core” is admission to the architecture concentration automatic or is there another selection hurdle?
How many students are enrolled in each of the four ENVD areas?
Lastly, one of my son’s classmates at Cornell’s MArch program graduated from UC Boulder’s ENVD, so it’s definitely on the radar.
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As a parent of a rising Junior you have some time to consider and start to work on it but when doing your research consider if a school requires an art portfolio (and what the specifics of that portfolio need to be). My son was only interested in BArch programs so I’m not sure if this might or might not apply to BA/BS 4 year programs but when applying we found it was split into approximately thirds the schools that required a portfolio, those that did not and those that were optional.
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Thanks, yes - I’m hoping they will do one of the summer programs next year that will both help them confirm this is what they want, and help build a portfolio. I think it can only help to have one. (Some of the 4 year programs may not require a portfolio to enter, but you are only pre-major for the first year or two and then admission to the major requires particular courses being completed + a portfolio at that stage.)
We were hopeful of the same thing related to the summer program - which he did through Syracuse the summer between Junior/Senior year. That course may give them a couple items towards their portfolio but we found ourselves scrambling the remainder of the summer and deep into the fall. I would say our sons portfolio was good, not great, due to the time crunch and it added an additional level of stress into the college application process.
For the schools that do require the portfolio they will have information on their website as to the types of things they are looking for. In our experience 2 years ago they are looking more for art samples/drawings than anything directly attributable to architecture (can the applicant look at something and then convert that to something on a piece of paper?).
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Oh, it sure did. The portfolio deadline for Northeastern, when my D applied, was midnight on November 8th, 2016. Kid was still frantically annotating the portfolio as the election results rolled in. 
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That feels early - was that an EA/ED deadline?
Yes, EA - the application deadline was 11/1, and the portfolio deadline 1 week later. (They also have ED, with the same dates.) Back then, Northeastern’s EA decisions came out in December, so at least the stress was rewarded with good news before the holidays; now, sadly, only ED decisions are released in December, and EA not until February. (Don’t know if you’re even interested in Northeastern, but fwiw.)
And like everything - going to vary school to school - but you may well find some require the submission of the portfolio is before the deadline of the application. I don’t remember dates exactly but Syracuse was a 2/1 RD application date but portfolio needed to be submitted by 12/15. Understood Syracuse might not be on your radar, just illustrating that a second level of research can be necessary.
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Did your child do arch at northeastern?
Also to note, northeastern does not require a portfolio but it def helps and also provides an opportunity for additional scholarship funds.