Hello, I am a High School student who got into both Texas Tech’s and Virginia Tech’s architecture program, but I don’t know which one to choose.
I have received a good scholarship from TT, but nothing yet from VT.
TT is in my state, but it’s still a 5-6hr drive.
I ultimately want a M. Arch degree, and I have seen TT has a 4+2yr program while VT has a 5+1 or 2yr program.
Any Advice?
Yes, wait until you know how much VT will cost.
Architecture has very cyclic demand. The last thing you want is to be saddled with debt. Get your aid package and then you can host a meaningful debate.
Are you waiting for a financial aid package from VT because they give very little, if anything, in merit or scholarship money. You’ll also have to fly & drive to VT, which isn’t easy. You’ll have to either fly into Charlotte (+ a 2.5 hour drive) or Roanoke, VA, probably with connecting flights as it’s a smaller airport (+45-50 minute drive). Every school break has parents on the VT FB page agonizing about the travel woes.
VT has a great program, and I assume TT does as well. If cost is an issue, I would lean toward TT.
I just looked at the two programs. I am more familiar with VT’s outcomes. The architect’s I know would caution to save on the money and look at TT with the understanding the two colleges have different pathways to becoming an architect.
TT’s undergrad program is pre-professional and you are reviewed at the end of your first year in order to move forward. You must continue on with the masters to become an architect through their program and that does not look automatic from the undergrad part. Their undergrad is not listed with NAAB, but the masters is.
VT’s program is a 5 year undergrad process. They do not offer a pre-professional degree.
Look at the accreditation to understand some of the differences. https://www.naab.org/accreditation/information/
TT’s dual degree with Civil Engineering may be worth the extra efforts and extra year to expand your skills and hiring potential.
Make sure you are building in all of the years of costs including masters degrees when comparing options.
Curious why you would want a M.Arch if you’re considering VT’s 5 year B.Arch.
Agree with others that VT is unlikely to give much if anything in the way of merit aid, so unless you expect need-based aid, I would start with expecting to be a full pay at VT for comparison purposes, although you would need to factor in the extra year for the M.Arch at TT when making the cost comparison over 5 or 6 years.
One other consideration - many students don’t stick with architecture programs. Does one school or the other have other majors that might interest you in the long run?
I think a lot of students are confused about what it takes to be an independent, practicing architect. There are a LOT of Architecture BA/BS programs, which alone won’t allow one to do anything but work as a technician for someone else.
In comes BArch, MArch and DArch. Under all the states licensing rules they are deemed equivalent.
So, I agree very much…why MArch after BArch?
At the very least practice for a while and then decide if any additional might be helpful.
Interestingly I was digging into some data for another thread. It was comparing a BS Arch at a big name school to a BArch at Cal Poly. Just for grins, I looked up salaries for Cornell MArch grads, probably the biggest name in architecture, and compared them to those of Cal Poly BArch grads. The Cal Poly grads, at least according to College Scorecard, earn more.
Texas Tech pros (for a Texas resident):
Texas Tech cons:
I don’t know anything about Texas Tech in terms of other pros/cons regarding labs/facilities/faculty/study abroad.
Virginia Tech pros:
Virginia Tech cons:
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