Undergrad Arch Universities [3.9 UW, 1530 SAT]

BArch
Though as noted above it’s difficult to get clear statistics on acceptance rates for BArch programs, you can assume that your list is mostly reachy. Note that University of Pennsylvania does not offer a BArch, but Penn State does.

Because BArch programs have high drop out rates, admissions committees want to make sure that applicants know what they’re getting into. It’s therefore important to use your application — resume, recommendations, statements and essays — to reinforce what leads you to be confident that architecture is the career for you.

Some programs have 1st year Foundation courses from which you may (or may not) progress into the full BArch. You have to check the individual 5 year plans. Though all BArch curriculums are established and monitored by the architecture board, there is considerable leeway in focus. Some are more tech, some more structures, some more design( though all cover the same basic material).

If a portfolio is required or even recommended, you can bet it’s an important factor in admissions.

I would concur with posters that encourage you to look at less selective BArch programs. Though they may not be as prestigious as those on your list, the curriculums and travel and internship opportunities are much the same.

BA/BS +MArch
This route is increasingly popular in architecture. You can major in just about anything and still get accepted to a top MArch program, but getting a BA or BS in architecture , architectural studies or environmental design may simplify the process. Note that there’s no substantial difference in MArch acceptance between BA and BS programs, though there can be a lot of difference in the focus and curriculums of the individual undergraduate schools.

Some schools guarantee admission to their MArch programs for their architecture undergrads in good standing. Some — notably the most selective — do not. Many BA/BS holders choose to get their MArchs at a different school, and many choose to work for a couple of years between degrees.

Aside from some same school continuations, there’s no real “feeder” path for MArch acceptance. Top MArch programs look for diversity: not just gender and race, but also educational background, economic status, life experience, age.

Some that I would recommend are
UMich
WUSTL
UVA
UC Berkeley
Northeastern
UWashington
UCincinnati

There are plenty of others! Just make sure to take a hard look at financing as the BA/BS+MArch route can mean 6 to 7.5 years of expensive education.

3 Likes

I’d also recommend looking at Virginia Tech
https://arch.vt.edu/

1 Like

This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. If you’d like to reply, please flag the thread for moderator attention.