<p>Wow, you’re cutting it close. I have to admit I’m biased since I went to UVa, but I didn’t study Architecture. I’ve visited Wash U. Both schools are pretty, and you’ll get a great education at both. </p>
<p>For the study of architecture, UVa is a unique place. First of all, the Architecture School is UVA’s smallest school so you’ll have a lot of personal attention there. Secondly, the University is a [UNESCO</a> site](<a href=“Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville - UNESCO World Heritage Centre”>Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville - UNESCO World Heritage Centre) just like the Egyptian Pyramids and the Great Wall of China, because it was founded and designed by Thomas Jefferson. So the study of architecture at and of UVa is a big deal. While UVA’s architecture is strongly classical, the Architecture School is very modernist in focus, which is obvious in the current [Campbell</a> Hall expansion](<a href=“http://www.arch.virginia.edu/spotlight/constructions/]Campbell”>http://www.arch.virginia.edu/spotlight/constructions/).</p>
<p>This has lead to a lot of [bickering</a> at UVa and in the architecture world at large](<a href=“http://www.uva-architecture-forum.org/]bickering”>http://www.uva-architecture-forum.org/) about what the true definition of Jeffersonian architecture is. Is it based on the the [spirit</a> of constant innovation](<a href=“http://www.uva-architecture-forum.org/openletter.html]spirit”>http://www.uva-architecture-forum.org/openletter.html) or classicism in appearance? Personally, I find the debate riveting, and to have folks like the [Director</a> of Prince Charles’ architectural foundation](<a href=“http://www.uva-architecture-forum.org/texts/commonsense.pdf]Director”>http://www.uva-architecture-forum.org/texts/commonsense.pdf) drawn into the fracas on behalf of Classicism gives you an idea of the architectural discussions to be had at UVa - where both sides are quite vocal.</p>
<p>That said, UVa architecture students are called to do a lot of creative, innovative projects. For example, several years ago, students helped to create a [Learning</a> Barge](<a href=“http://www.arch.virginia.edu/learningbarge/]Learning”>http://www.arch.virginia.edu/learningbarge/) in the Chesapeake Bay. It even won an [award</a> for sustainable design](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=2015]award”>http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=2015). Currently, students are working to [rehabilitate</a> homes in Louisiana that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina](<a href=“http://www.arch.virginia.edu/spotlight/noGlory/]rehabilitate”>http://www.arch.virginia.edu/spotlight/noGlory/) and are [funding</a> and designing schools in Uganda](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=5148]funding”>http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=5148). </p>
<p>I’m not sure about Washington University’s program, but you can’t go wrong with studying architecture at UVa. Virginia is very respected for its program. </p>
<p>Also, since this is an interest of yours, you should also look at UVA’s [Jewish</a> Studies Program](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/jewishstudies/]Jewish”>http://www.virginia.edu/jewishstudies/). Virginia’s [Religious</a> Studies Program](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/religiousstudies/admin/info.html]Religious”>http://www.virginia.edu/religiousstudies/admin/info.html) is one of the best in the US.</p>