I am looking for top tier B. Arch reach schools and for safety, reach, and target BA. Arch schools (reaches for BA should be feeders for top M Arch schools)
Thank you for your help.
I would strongly urge you to change your user name to something anonymous.
Safety, Reach and Target schools are going to be different for every student based on their GPA/Test Scores/Rigor and the budget. We don’t have enough info to help.
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also need to know if you have a portfolio and are considering portfolio required programs.
I have 3.9/4 GPA, many aps(3d, 2d, Wh, UsH, usgp, macro, bc, French, lang, lit) with 4s and 5s (some college courses in math and physics). SAT: 780Math 750RW. standard ecs and not recruited athlete.
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I am considering portfolio required programs and am polishing mine
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What are you looking for in a school (geography, size, vibe, ease of transferring out of arch, etc)? What schools are on your list so far? Do you have financial constraints, and if so what is your budget?
This list is a bit dated, but AFAIK still accurate: https://www.naab.org/wp-content/uploads/Accredited-NAAB-Programs-032421.pdf
Reach - Cornell; Match - RPI, Lehigh; Safeties - Look to schools within your home state.
But talk to your parents and run the NPC and make sure that whatever schools end up on your list are affordable for your family.
Lehigh is not a B Arch program though…but if that is ok with OP, it would expand the list for sure.
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Location, weather, etc. is not important to me. I am certain I will not change majors. I want a very afemdemic setting with opportunities for internships. I don’t think that financing to be a problem.
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I second Cornell for a reach. Maybe look at CMU, Tulane and Cooper Union too.
Syracuse, Penn State more in the target area.
Good higher probability schools (B arch programs sometimes have lower acceptance rates than a school’s overall) could be UIC, NJIT, and Illinois Tech.
My list for B Arch: Cornell, Rice, UPenn, Calpoly, USC, Notre Dame, Cooper Union Syracuse
I am unsure of BA Arch programs.
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I know at least 5 working professionals who “knew” they weren’t going to change majors who are now NOT working as architects.
1 is a sustainability consultant-- I’d describe it as “architecture adjacent”- helping developers and municipalities think through the environmental implications of new build- solid waste, groundwater, energy consumption. He hasn’t drafted or created in years but seems to like his job.
1 is teaching HS-- nothing to do with architecture.
1 works at a large restaurant chain on new concept development- sort of a food and beverage expert. Nothing to do with architecture except that he’s probably a good addition to an interior design team.
Etc.
EVERYONE needs a plan B for a career which is as competitive as architecture! HS kids see themselves working for Frank Gehry- not lining up for a building permit on a carport or garage in a suburban sub-division (which may or may not pay the rent).
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Add a few higher probability acceptances and your list will be good.
If you don’t qualify for need based financial aid, make sure your parents are ok with paying full COA for 5 years. Full COA is $80K+ at some of those schools.
The thing is I am very focused on my career, the B. Arch program I go to should set me up for a job and if I don’t get into these B. Archs then the BA Arch uni I go to should set me up for a grad school that will lead to a career.
That’s not how I see architecture. I want to design individualistic housing and community spaces for low income sectors.
The B. Arch s that I apply to would be reaches but the BA Arch s that I apply to would have safeties, targets, and reaches. What are some safety, though still quality, universities for BA arch?
I don’t understand why you wouldn’t pick a B Arch safety if that’s the degree you want. There are plenty of higher acceptance rate schools on that accredited B arch list above.
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However, BArch may be more selective than the school overall. For example, this is the case at Cal Poly Pomona: Freshman Student Profile
Yes, I noted that in one of my above posts.
DD did a summer program in architecture at IIT and really enjoyed her time there. They offer a B Arch and have several Arch Eng specialities as well. It was pretty clear too just from the summer program that the school is very “real world/professional” in its focus.