<p>So I am entering McGill University as a freshman this fall. I am in the Faculty of Arts, majoring in anthropology.</p>
<p>I have recently been thinking about studying architecture. I don’t know why it never crossed my mind before, but now I’ve taken a lot of interest in it. The thing is, at McGill the architecture program is part of a separate School, meaning I’d have to submit a transfer application to transfer to the School of Architecture (which offers an accredited B.Arch. degree). This also means that, as an Arts student, I am not allowed to take any Architecture courses.</p>
<p>I have no experience with architecture. I don’t want to jump in and completely change my major to architecture, without having a little bit of introduction to the subject beforehand. </p>
<p>So my question is, how do I go about gaining this experience before deciding whether or not I want to switch majors? Are there certain programs that would allow me to explore architecture? Or do you think I could get an internship, having no architecture experience whatsoever?</p>
<p>Even if I don’t switch my majors, I understand that I can get a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology or whatever else, and then do a 3-year or so M.Arch. program. Which path would you recommend: getting a B.A. and doing an M.Arch; or transferring to B.Arch., and then continuing to M.Arch.?
Either way, I would want to have had prior experience in architecture before choosing any architecture program. </p>
<p>So to summarize: How do I go about gaining experience in architecture so I can decide whether or not I want to do a B.Arch. and/or M.Arch.?</p>
<p>I’d suggest that you attend a career discovery program next summer. You could also see if you could take an architectural drawing class at McGill through the arts school. Or at least architectural art history.</p>
<p>Getting an UNPAID summer internship with an architecture firm is doable. It helps to have a referral.</p>
<p>Once you’re at McGill you should be able to talk face to face with faculty or advisers of the architecture school to get a better idea of what getting the B.Arch entails, and whether it makes sense for you to transfer immediately or to continue with your BA.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t suggest transferring to a B.Arch program until you’re 100% sure that you want architecture. Getting a BA + an M.Arch takes longer (and costs more) than a B.Arch, but since you’re already committed to beginning your BA, your situation is more complicated than if you were just applying as a first year.</p>
<p>Plenty of architects take the BA/BS + M.Arch route, but you need to be mindful of the expense. Also, you’ll want to build a portfolio which is critical to M.Arch admissions.</p>
<p>Another idea would be to take a gap year and re-apply.</p>
<p>Thank you for your suggestions! I will have to research summer architecture programs. Does anyone know of any good ones that accept college students? Most of the ones I’m finding are for high school students…</p>
<p>Also, do you think one of these summer programs would be more beneficial, or getting an internship at an architecture firm or related organization?</p>
<p>Harvard and Columbia have comprehensive summer career programs, for college students and adults who are thinking about career change. Cornell also offers summer courses to college students.</p>
<p>These programs are about 4-6 weeks, so you could conceivably do both – career discovery + internship. </p>
<p>If I had to do one I’d choose the career discover program as it would give you an idea of what to expect from architecture school and also do some portfolio building.</p>
<p>Also, many M.Arch programs hold open houses / information sessions to give you an idea of what they’re looking for in admissions.</p>
<p>You should ask your parents and their friends if they know any architects that would be willing to allow you to shadow them for a few weeks. Or once you’re there, you could liaise with McGill architecture alums too. You could do this over school holidays as well as summer.</p>