Some questions on the American schooling system! (from Australia)

College Majors Architecture Majors
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<p>Hi everyone, </p>

<p>Im a high school student (in my final year) studying in Australia and im hoping i could do a Barch in the US soon! (actually 2010 fall 'coz im taking a gap year…)</p>

<p>So, after reading through some of the threads here and websites of some universities as well, there was a question that i couldn’t really find an answer to…</p>

<p>[HOW important is the GPA for years 7-11?]</p>

<p>I was looking at the Cornell requirements as the benchmark assuming that it is the best - (i WAS very ignorant of the possible options in the US :frowning: ) and they ask for your annual report (transcript??) from like years 7 or 9 …and to be honest, i dont have such a good years 8-11 record like ppl ive seen on the site, though i have worked hard this year and i’m in top 5% with all As. So…yes - how important are they…coz i really want to study there…</p>

<p>Also, i was hoping that someone could enlighten me as to how BA in architectural studies and Barch are different…?</p>

<p>Anyway, thanks for your reply in advance! :)</p>

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<p>OK, I’m sure many colleges are familiar with the fact that school leaving exams carry more weight than annual reports. Even if you didn’t do that well in 8-11, your improvement in your final year (top 5%, all A’s) is a good sign of process that will be looked well upon. I’m also international, and GPA was irrelevant - it wasn’t even in the transcript - (it might have been perfect though, but my school never figured GPA into a student’s performance.)</p>

<p>A B.Arch is a 5-yr professional program that prepares you intensely for the job upon graduation. Most of your time will be spent in studio, with very few electives. 2 or 3yrs ago, I actually did apply to B.Arch programs and got into USC, IIT, and the like.</p>

<p>On the other hand, the BA in Arch is a regular 4yr undergraduate degree - generally less intense. Your courseload will probably include calculus, art history, etc. You will do some studio, but it’s not a professional track, because you will have to take a 2yr (or 3yrs depending on how arch. specific your degree is) M.Arch before you can practice. That’s why it’s sometimes called the 4+2 program… back then, I thought WashU had a great program and I was hoping to do a double in Arch and Civil Eng. but that was a long time ago…</p>

<p>In general, you do not have to study any architecture at the u-grad level to take an M.Arch [definitely 3yrs]. But most schools will ask that you take a 1-yr survey course in art history.</p>

<p>Anyway, if you’re interested in B.Arch, your portfolio will also count. Grades and academic performance aside, I think they’ll be really interested in your creative ability and the portfolio is your chance to show this.</p>

<p>A gap year is a good thing, and obviously, you’ll have time to do amazing stuff and refine your portfolio, and such… Good luck with Cornell! It’s very tough to get in [AAP, I mean], so I hope you have other schools with programs you’re just as, or almost as passionate about.</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for your in-depth reply! it really helps :)</p>

<p>On the subject of BA + March and based on the explanation you gave, what career paths would, say, a business major at undergrad + March open up for you? </p>

<p>or vice versa - maybe a BA in Architectural studies (even Barch, though it would be odd to be doing such a tough course and not becoming an architect!) and MBA?</p>

<p>Looking forward to your reply,</p>

<p>Kevin</p>

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<p>I’m not sure but those seem to be really good combinations - nothing stops you from doing an MBA after a B.Arch, although in reality, I don’t know how well-worn such a path is. You might be an architect but might just end up managing a huge firm one day and business skills gained at school could definitely serve you well…</p>

<p>I’m not well informed to give an opinion on career paths but nothing is impossible…
I’m currently a physics major and might end up doing either an M.Arch or and M.Eng in civil engineering - not sure how career would look like, but I’m sure I’d love to build things.</p>

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<p>Yeah? I’ve actually been thinking about civil engineering as well, but…
i dont know! lot of thoughts at the moment!</p>

<p>Anyway, best wishes! </p>

<p>Kevin</p>

<p>p.s. thanks again for such friendly replies! really appreciate it :)</p>