OK State Architecture school, is it any good?

archmom
Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:01:22 +0000

Lakemom:

Lots of questions here, but I will try to break them down into smaller bites. But this is likely to be a long post. First, there’s a general misconception about the quantity of math necessary for architecture. As a general matter, math is not terribly important in either the study or practice of architecture (except for specialized portions of the field). In my entire career, the most math I have used is basic algebra. Many top-notch programs do not even require any college-level math at all, and the only physics is a special “physics-for-architects” which is basically statics. Being great at math and physics certainly doesn’t hurt, but it’s not essential. For many of the highly-ranked programs, students take more semesters of architectural history and theory than they do of math and physics-oriented studies.

Second is CAD. CAD is a tool, not an end in itself. It’s just an alternative drawing production method. It’s a very powerful and efficient one, but it’s still just a tool. At many if not most highly-ranked schools, they won’t let the kids touch the computer until the second year at the earliest, and even the third year. In order to design creatively, you need to be able to train your eye and your hand to interact to convert three dimensions into two and back again. You need to visualize, and “see” in three dimensions and translate that three-dimensional vision into two dimensions on paper. The computer can get in the way of this training, focusing instead on slick computer effects without design substance. The educational theory is “walk before you drive”. CAD drawings in a portfolio are highly discouraged in “portfolio-required” schools. Of course you need to learn it eventually, but only after you’ve learned to design without it.

That being said, most schools strive for a balance between design and technical proficiency. After all, very few of the graduates will wind up as “starchitects”, and most will have to combine design with technical skills. Architecture can lead you in many directions. As your son investigates schools, he should ask them what their focus is…technical or design. Ask when they introduce computers. Ask about how many semesters of math, how many of physics, how many of history, how many of theory. That will give you a very good idea of the focus of the program.

In the East especially, the trend is away from a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree in favor of a 4+2 BA/BS with a major in architecture plus a 2-year masters in architecture or a BA/BS in anything plus a 3-yr. or 3-1/2 yr. masters in architecture. But a few BArch. programs remain. Whatever programs you look at, make sure that they are accredited by the NAAB. These are the only ones that “count” toward eventually getting your architectural license. There’s a listing of all programs on the NAAB website.

As for specific 5-year BArch programs in the East, most of the most highly-ranked ones are design-oriented…(I am sure I will forget some here, and bring down the wrath of admissions and alums on my head, but so be it.)…i.e. Cornell, Syracuse, Cooper Union, RISD, Penn State, Carnegie-Mellon, Pratt. Other than actual Ivy Cornell, many of these are just as hard to get into as most Ivy’s, and highly value the portfolio and interview. For example, Syracuse, had, I think, close to 1100 applicants for only about 130+ or so spots last year. Carnegie-Mellon has similar stats. Cooper Union is free tuition, so they have a rep as being virtually impossible to achieve. Penn State seems to favor Pennsylvania residents. I have encountered many, many grads from all of these institutions in practice in the East.

Northeastern is interesting because of its very-well-thought-of co-op program. But it looked like it took more than 5 years as a result, and your son will need to be able to switch back and forth between work and school. Depends on the kid. Roger Williams is a smaller program with devoted faculty and alums…worth a careful look. SUNY-Buffalo has a good program which is more affordable and has grads throughout New York and the Northeast.

City University of New York also has a 5-year program, but they highly favor New York residents. Other ideas are New Jersey Institute of Technology, New York Institute of Technology, Wentworth. These have a more “technical reputation”, and are more regional, in my experience.

You might need to cast your net wider, and also consider 4+2 programs. Other places to look at include Miami Univ. of Ohio…I was very impressed with the focus, faculty and student output. Also Univ. of Delaware, Ohio State and Univ. of Illinois…all 4+2.

My daughter wanted a 5-year BArch school that was well-thought-of , “design-oriented” in a university setting, in an “urban” location, in a place that had a winter, that people in New York City had heard of, that would not absolutely require an airplane to get to. Which says that she sort of “designed” Syracuse as her first choice. Luckily, she got in and she loves it…just what she wanted.

I have realized that I have rambled. Sorry…