Planning for 2019 - Architecture

momrath
Mon, 30 Jul 2018 03:02:28 +0000

@qclabrat Could you please elaborate a bit on what your daughter disliked about her experience with Pratt’s pre-architecture program? Pratt is of course an art school so the program may focus more on abstract creativity than a tech school or a design school would. Or maybe it was something else all together?

My observation is that working in architecture isn’t much like going to architecture school. My son really liked many aspects of his MArch program and found other elements less enjoyable, but he is delighted with architecture as a career and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

A lot of 18 year olds don’t have a firm career path mapped out. And those that think they do often change and change again as they are exposed to options. As I often say, architecture is a marathon, not a sprint.

I would definitely concur with @aquapt that even if your daughter is still interested in pursuing architecture, it might be better not to choose a BArch program. There are many excellent BA, BS, BED programs out there which provide a kinder, gentler approach to becoming an architect. The BA/BS/BED+MArch route may take another year or so but save a lot of heartache.

In addition to CU Boulder’s BED (which I agree is an excellent program) your daughter should look at the pre-professional degrees offered at WUSTL, Cincinnati, Penn State, Northeastern, UVirginia, UMichigan, Texas Tech, Tulane. I’m sure there are others, but these come to mind. Some require portfolios, some don’t.