Hello! This thread will be about why (or why not) you should be an architecture major. I thought this thread would be fun because a lot of people now believe that architecture is dead and people (my parents) are very unconvinced when I tell them about going into architecture
It would be great if a real architecture student chimed in!
Thanks!
This question barely makes sense… change it to ‘Why NOT Architecture?’
Theres so many reasons to be an architect that it almost makes no sense to list them all out yo!
I think many people have their own reasons, some more specific to others, and some more concerned about a certain aspect of the discipline than others may be (this could be the technology behind it, the design behind it, or the environmental aspects about it)
Pretty cool job and a pretty cool thread… just change the title (lol)
They do?
Why’s that?
@justononedad well I think its cause like… less people active on CC for architecture (a lot less…), for certain schools less college arch applicants
maybe people are scared about job market but those people are too financially motivated and prob wouldnt even do well
I’m currently dually enrolled as a first year architecture student and high school senior, and also applying to numerous B.Arch programs this year, so I can hopefully provide a bit of insight.
Architecture is far from a dying profession. We are just beginning to explore the possibilities the future might hold as science and technology continue to evolve. Here’s an article on new emerging materials: http://architizer.com/blog/material-trends-for-2014-and-beyond/.
Even in terms of jobs and salaries, architecture is growing (expected to grow 17% over the next 10 years):
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/architects.htm#tab-6.
There’s no doubt that it is a difficult field. You’ll be up all night finishing studio projects while your friends are out partying, and you’ll likely experience professors that rarely give A’s. The industry itself is incredibly competitive, and you’ll be hard pressed to differentiate yourself from your peers. However, this isn’t to say architecture degrees are pointless for the payoff. Architects are scientists, engineers, philosophers, problem solvers and artists, and there are numerous careers you can pursue with a degree.
You should definitely make sure that architecture is what you want to pursue before dedicating yourself to it, but I doubt there are many paths more diverse or enriching. I would research different architects and the profession A LOT to make sure it excites you, then show your parents info on job growth and the different aspects of architecture.
Hope this helped!
@thegrant haha i could change the title i guess but i want to focus more on the positives of architecture 
@JustOneDad I think it’s because a lot of people are ignorant on architecture, my parents don’t know anything about it but have heard stories from friends or online stories which probably do not represent the architecture culture at all
@silverar Thanks for chiming in! Architecture seems like a very enriching experience with a lot of work (but fun work), how would I know if I’m cut out for this career?
(also, how are you a first year architecture student and still in high school? That’s crazy and awesome!)
@sweeetea I took more classes than I needed to my first three years of high school, so I ended up only being required to take english and calculus my senior year. Instead of graduating early, I decided to enroll in my state university and high school at the same time, and take the first year architecture curriculum.
As for telling if you’re cut out for it, I guess it depends from person to person. You should probably have an interest in the sciences as well as the arts. Architecture schools tend to stress a certain kind of conceptual thinking, so make sure that you can think outside the box. I took philosophy courses in high school as well as a three week architecture summer program, which really helped me prepare for the college classes. Take drawing classes, art history, 3d art, or whatever your high school offers on the creative front.
Again, research architecture as much as you can. I used to spend hours just looking at pieces of architecture and reading architecture books. Develop a taste for what you like, what you’re interested in, and some favorite architects/artists/designers.
Again, things are probably different for everyone, this is just some advice I would have given myself a couple of years ago. If you want to talk more, feel free to PM me your email, I’m more than happy to help out aspiring architecture students!
@silverarch That’s really cool! I think the combination of science and art as well as the conceptual thinking made me really attracted to architecture! I’m only a sophomore in high school and only now am i really thinking about going into architecture so most of my classes don’t include art classes, though I do like art so I’m probably going to join some next year. Thanks for your advice!
Why don’t you enroll in one of the summer career exploration programs that are offered at many architecture departments at universities all over the country? This is a good way to get an overview of what to expect from both architecture school and a career in architecture.
@silverarch Do you still have to apply to the Arch. major program or not where you are?
@momrath Someone actually told me to do this before but after looking into it, they all seem to cost quite a bit of money (which I don’t have) so I’ve just been doing a lot of research on it
@sweetea Maybe some of those programs have scholarship money available or maybe the AIA or similar has something you could apply for.
@JustOneDad Yes, the first year is open to all students at the university, but after that you have to apply for the school of architecture itself, which I will do if I can’t afford any out of state programs.
@sweeetea I didn’t have a lot of money to do a summer program either, so I did some fundraising before hand. I did my program in Italy, which was a great experience. If you can’t do that, try taking architecture classes at a local public university, or at least drawing and painting there. If your state is anything like mine, these classes should be free to public high school students.
@JustOneDad that’s true! I will look into that
@silverarch haha sadly I don’t live nearby any colleges but I will also try fundraising!
Ok but I had a question, I know that there are accredited programs like at Rice or Cornell or etc. but the schools with B.Arch are very limited and I was wondering what’s the difference between schools that have it and schools that don’t. Also, if you dont go into a school with B.Arch, would you then go into a school with M.Arch?
Thanks
@sweeetea, There are many reasons not to choose the BArch, but lack of program choices isn’t one of them. There are some 40+ BArch programs in the US. Of course they vary in prestige and personality, the same as “regular” undergraduate programs do. If the BArch is what you want, you should be able to put together a balanced list of reach/match/safety.
If you’re not sure that you want to go for the BArch, then you have several other choices. All are acceptable and common paths to becoming an architect.
There are a handful of schools that offer a five year MArch, in effect an undergraduate MArch. Tulane is one; there are probably others.
Next you could look at schools that offer the BA or BS in architecture or architectural studies. At some of these you apply directly to the School of Architecture. At some you apply to the liberal arts college and move into architecture later in the process.
Some of school that offer the BA/BS in architecture also have their own MArch programs; some do not. Among those that offer the MArch, some guarantee (or at least favor) admission for their own undergraduates, some do not. Generally, with a 4.0 year BA/BS, the MArch takes 2.0 years. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Each program is a little different.
It’s possible to get into a good MArch program with a BA or BS in anything – art, art history, biology, math, sociology etc. You will need to fulfill the requirements of the MArch program which generally include some art studio, art history, calculus and physics. Requirements vary from program to program. You must also put together a design portfolio which may or may not include architectural work.
So the question that you have to answer in the next few years is whether you’re committed enough to architecture to go for the BArch. You should bear in mind that while most undergraduate degrees can be funded by need-based financial aid, funding for MArch programs is less reliable. It’s available but is determined differently from undergraduate need, and the amount granted can be unpredictable.
@momrath Thank you for your detailed response! I was wondering why you said that there were reasons not to choose B.Arch? What are those reasons?
The number one reason not to choose the BArch would be that you’re not entirely sure that you want to become an architect. it is not unusual for a high school senior with very little exposure to architecture to be in this position. The BArch programs require a strong commitment. They are intensely and narrowly focussed on architecture, 24/7. The drop out rate is high.
Other reasons to go for a BA or BS could include a wish for a more academically balanced undergraduate experience. A student might prefer the opportunity to explore other academic disciplines as an undergraduate. Or s/he may be drawn to a particular university/college that doesn’t offer the BArch.
The combination of the BA/BS + MArch is fairly common among architects, often with work experience in between degrees. The disadvantage would be that it takes longer and may cost more.
It also seems to me that many architects have both the BArch and the MArch, perhaps because they want to deepen their education, they want to supplement their focus from tech to design or vice versa or because they want a degree from a top rated university.
Neither path – the BArch nor the BA/BS+MArch – is better than the other: It’s really a personal decision.
@momrath Thank you! If I were to choose the BA/BS + MArch, would I go to the same school for both?
You could, but you don’t necessarily have to. You may choose an undergraduate school that doesn’t have an graduate program in architecture. You may not get accepted into your school’s MArch program. Or you may just be ready for a different experience, a different design philosophy, a different faculty, a different part of the country. It’s not something that you have to worry about just yet.