SAIC vs. IIT vs. RIT? Master of Architecture

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Hello all,</p>

<p>I am international student intending to pursue a M.Arch program in the US. I am hesitant between RIT, IIT and SAIC. I’ve done some research and actually I like them all. I’d love to hear from current students or anyone interested. Any input would be highly appreciated, as I have no chance to visit campus.Which school do you recommend? </p>

<p>I’ll wright a summary about my conception of each school:</p>

<p>SAIC_ school of the art institute in chicago…
Degree: M.Arch with emphasis in interior architecture</p>

<p>Pros.
I love art. I’ve worked in graphics/illustration and am passionate about fashion.
I like the school because it offers flexibility in choosing electives, access to resources about art, and the libraries. I like the location.the curriculum seems more fun and relaxing.
I like the fact that it focus on both architecture and interior
SAIC is a NAAB candidate_ NAAB will announce their decision soon (I think this July)</p>

<p>Cons.
pass/fail system which doesn’t give me a chance to pursue a Phd later.
I’m not sure about the career opportunity. </p>

<p>RIT_ Rochester institute of technology (M.Arch)</p>

<p>Pros.
career oriented
focus on sustainability </p>

<p>Cons.
quarter system and work load
offered by the Golisano Institute for Sustainability rather than architecture college
not even a NAAB candidate_ they are “pending” NAAB candidacy
I have no idea about the city of rochester other than the cold</p>

<p>IIT_ illinois institute of technology (M.Arch)</p>

<p>Pros.
location, Chicago.
more respected academic program
more job opportunity
NAAB accredited</p>

<p>Cons.
the neighborhood is not as good as SAIC, specially for a foreign girl such as me</p>

<p>P.S. money is not an issue at all. Also, I don’t care so much about social life or dorm.</p>

2

<p>What’s your ultimate goal? To become a practicing architect? In the US, you really need to have an NAAB-accredited degree to become a registered architect. And even if your goal is to go into academia, you are unlikely to find a position without any experience in professional practice.</p>

<p>Unless you already have an accredited professional BArch, I would stay far away from any schools without accredited MArch programs.</p>

3

<p>Thnx QuietType …. My goal is to gain some work experience in the US…. finally, I want to start my own firm in my country and teach at the university at the same time….</p>

<p>My BArch is not accredited…</p>

4

<p>Hopefully, someone with knowledge of international architectural education and/or registration requirements will chime in here. I’m afraid that I am not at all knowledgeable on that aspect.</p>

<p>Have you looked into other schools of architecture, such as the Pratt Institute in New York or Rhode Island School of Design, etc? There are many accredited MArch programs in US. Here’s a link to the NAAB website which lists all these schools:
[NAAB:</a> Schools Database](<a href=“http://www.naab.org/schools/results.aspx?vSchoolYMGHFREschool_name=&tSchool_Degree_OfferedYMGHFREprogram_type_id=2&startrec=1&searchtype=A&nextbttn=Search&union=AND]NAAB:”>http://www.naab.org/schools/results.aspx?vSchoolYMGHFREschool_name=&tSchool_Degree_OfferedYMGHFREprogram_type_id=2&startrec=1&searchtype=A&nextbttn=Search&union=AND)</p>

5

<p>I have already had a look on the NAAb accredited program… the thing is that I missed the deadline for many good schools with reasonable acceptance rate… those are the only schools I’ve got accepted in…. I’ve been rejected by Berkeley & U of Michigan…. </p>

<p>I am thinking about getting into RIT then if I didn’t like it…. transferring to another school
I am confidant that I can get high scores and good recommendations…. my GRE is 1150 and TOEFL is 101… also, I can afford any school.</p>

<p>Does anyone know about the transfer in the US grad schools? Do I have a good chance to transfer to a better school?</p>