<p>My sixteen year old son just started his junior year at a smaller public High School in Upstate New York. He’s a solid B student, an accomplished diver and his PSAT scores are a little above average. His father is a civil engineer and he’s expressed an interest in architecture for several years now.</p>
<p>We’re just now starting to look at schools, and we’re realizing that most school’s offering architecture programs want some sort of experience; but the local high school only offers basic art classes.</p>
<p>What can we do to make him more appealing to an admissions team?</p>
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<li><p>I would recommend posting this question over in the Architecture forum for responses from folks with a fair amount of experience in dealing with admissions and arch programs. Here’s the link:
[Architecture</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/architecture-major/]Architecture”>Architecture Major - College Confidential Forums)</p></li>
<li><p>The vast majority of high school kids do not have architecture experience. Pretty much every arch program that we visited mentioned the importance of drawing experience - hand-done sketching at that, not drafting or CAD work. Most of the colleges want to teach the computer based stuff themselves, not have a kid come from high school with their version of such education.</p></li>
<li><p>There are many very good arch programs that do not even consider portfolios, where admissions is based primarily on high school gpa, course rigor, and SAT/ACT scores. Essentially stats-based admissions. Virginia Tech, Penn State, Cincinnati are just three of these such schools.</p></li>
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<p>I would start by finding the usual places where OP’s son would go for college. Since Architecture is not exactly a popular offering among colleges, one should have no trouble identifying likely schools, especially if finances are an issue (instate versus outofstate, public vs private, and the like)</p>
<p>Then, a realistic parent & student should sit together and find out what are the likely admission requirements for the goal schools - be it GPA, EC’s, SAT, portfolio (if any), take home test (if any), and so on. For many reasons, architecture seems to attract very highly qualified kids, in terms of GPA/SAT; (Cinci DAAP is around 3.7/1300). Then, see if a portfolio opens up additional admissions opportunities for other schools, and work from there.</p>
<p>As mentioned in your other thread there are about 50 colleges/universities in the US that offer the B.Arch. Admissions selectivity varies widely. Some require a portfolio; some do not.</p>
<p>My son chose the M.Arch instead of the B.Arch so I don’t have personal experience with the preparation of an undergraduate portfolio. My understanding, however, is that the objective of the portfolio is to show basic artistic skills, especially drawing, and some evidence of artistic creativity. Undergraduate architecture schools understand the limitations of high school art programs and don’t expect developed architectural design or drafting skills.</p>
<p>Cornell is one of the more selective programs. This is what they say about the portfolio:
</p>
<p>In addition to making himself more appealing to architecture admissions, your son could do several things in the next year to confirm that he’s ready to make a commitment to an architecture program. </p>
<p>He should spend a lot of time on line reading what the schools themselves say about their programs. There is a wealth of information available. </p>
<p>He should read some career advice books. There are several listed on Amazon under “architecture careers.”</p>
<p>He should talk to students in B.Arch programs. Many colleges will make these connections for you. He should talk to practicing architects. My son found the profession on the whole enormously helpful. </p>
<p>He should consider attending an exploring architecture college summer program. Cornell’s is well known but there are others that are less selective. </p>
<p>He should try to get a summer internship (paid or unpaid) at an architectural firm. </p>
<p>He should develop computer design skills, either through a class at his high school or through another venue like a vocational school or community college.</p>
<p>He should see as much architecture as possible – at home and in travel opportunities. Self study, learn the vocabulary, just observe.</p>
<p>At least two colleges (UCLA and University of Arizona) have architecture programs where the student applies at the end of their sophomore year in college (after they get their GEs out of the way.) UCLA only offers the BA in Architectural Studies, but Arizona offers the 5-year BArch, which would allow your son to go into professional practice without going to grad school. </p>
<p>The upside is that you don’t need experience or a portfolio to get accepted into Arizona if architecture is your intent. The downside is that if you apply to the architecture department during your sophomore year and you don’t get accepted into the program, you’re sort of hosed.</p>
<p>My son and I visited Arizona last year and were very impressed with their program and the school. They have a very high acceptance rate too. Good luck!</p>
<p>Oh, and one other thing. Some schools that offer the BArch degree also have summer programs in architecture that help students build their portfolios. Other benefits…students develop a bond with their teachers which can only help during admission, and they also have the chance to see if architecture really is the major for them. (One student in my son’s summer program decided on a totally different major after too many late nights in the studio during the summer!) We’re on the west coast, so my son attended USC’s summer program. Cornell and Syracuse also offer summer arch programs…</p>
<p>I’ve both a BArch and a HYP MArch. If he’s certain about a career in architecture, then investigate BArch programs. Note that many will require a directed application to the BArch program. Later transfering out of the program will likely delay graduation in another major. Professionally speaking, there is little difference between BArch and 1st degree MArch architects’ career direction. (Some BArch’s will obtain a 2nd MArch degree, but now expensive 7-yr commitment and not necessary).</p>
<p>Many architects are very dissatisfied with their architectural careers. Job instability and unemployment occurs more frequently, and wage earning lower than other white-collar professions. Many architects are presently unemployed or underemployed, with significant wage cuts since 2008. Be sure that your son speaks to several architects at different career stages, asking for a candid assessment of their career satisfaction.</p>
<p>Note that architectural school “studio” prepares students for many years of long nights and weekends of unpaid overtime, with little personal control over deadline commitments. “All nighters” are common both in school and at work, even on occasion for middle-aged architects who’d prefer to be at home asleep. Architecture is often also a mix of frugal household living and keen attention to expensive design elements (whether clothing, household objects, to personal space). It’s a profession for the truly committed, for better and for worse.</p>
<p>Also, be aware of difference between accredited 5-year B.Arch programs, which count towards architectural licensing requirements, and 4-year BA programs which don’t. Always check for accreditation. There is a multi-year internship period requiring employment under a licensed architect and completion of certain milestone tasks prior to applying for licensing exam. Each state separately regulates its licensing requirements, check for your state’s requirements for a baseline.</p>