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<p>Jack, Yes, many, many architects take this route: An undergraduate BA or BS in a related or unrelated discipline, followed by an MArch. The downside of this approach is that it takes a lot longer (and subsequently costs a lot more) than a bachelors of architecture. Depending on your qualifications coming into the MArch program it can add 3.5 years to your education. Some people feel that architects with the BA/BS + MArch are at a disadvantage because they would have taken fewer design courses than those with a BArch. Personally, I find this argument less compelling.</p>
<p>The advantage of the MArch is that you don’t have to make up your mind at 17-18 years old to live, eat and drink architecture. Some kids are ready to do this, some are not. The decision is really personal.</p>
<p>I don’t think the BA/BS + MArch is any more prevalent on the east coast than the west. As I said a lot of successful and talented architects have chosen this path.</p>