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elkesb
Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 9:30 pm Post subject: best arch. school? |
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hey everyone, an aspiring architect here,
i have been accepted to the undergraduate program at the following schools and have to accept one this weekend.
USC, Cal poly SOB, IIT, UC- Berkeley, sciarc, woodbury (in burbank CA), Kansas state.
I have been debating between USC and cal poly and I must make a decision. Does anyone have any advice about either or all of these schools? So which school is best and why?
Elke
from Manhattan KS |
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antomical gift
Joined: 19 Apr 2004
Posts: 70
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| Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2004 10:45 am Post subject: |
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| Are you kidding, go for the gold - UC Berkeley! |
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elkesb
Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2004 4:27 pm Post subject: i would but... |
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| uc berkeley sounds great, but it is a six year program and I was more interested in a 5 year program... |
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SalAzad
Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 9
Location: San Jose, CA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2004 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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Dude, Im sort of in your position, and have a conclusion I reached, It might help you.
First off, dont listen to that Anatomical Gift guy, he honestly does not know what he's talking about. He hears big names and is impressed. Berkeley's bachelors is not even accredited, and it's masters program accepts very few people compared to the graduates of its bachelors program, so there is little security that you will even get in after the B.A. Even then Cal Poly is ranked second only to Harvard when comparing combined masters and bachelors programs. UC Berkeley is definately not the "gold" (whatever that means).
As far as all the others Cal Poly stands as the gold standard in the Bachelor of Arts program. Why do I say this? My father is a licensed architect of some 25 years, and when I told him I wanted to do the same he said go to cal poly. The professors at my community college all said go to Cal Poly. They are ALL licensed architects and they ALL said go to Cal Poly first. I got accepted all the schools you mentioned in california, and I went to each campus. Just a few thoughts on them from an enrolling students standpoint.
Woodbury has a very pretty campus, but is very small and in an expensive area. Expensive program, but they offered me a scholarship as soon as I got accepted, so scholarships are definately big with them. Norman Millar who runs the program is something of a legend, studying under him would be very beneficial.
USC - Definately not my cup of tea. Campus is in a shitty area but itself is quite beautiful and will offer a very good connection with alumnus if you plan on living in Los Angeles. Also notoriously well known for handing out lots of scholarship money.
SCI-Arc - Well known for setting the trends in architecture which are felt on a very large scale. Really interesting building which encloses the college, and continues to gain prestige every year (relatively new program). The first thing the advisor I spoke with (one of the founders of the school) said to me was (i swear this is true) "Have you looked at Cal Poly?"
Cal Poly is the cheapest of all these schools, but is also the toughest to get in. For every 19 applicants to a freshman opening in Architecture there was one availability this year. This is a harder acceptance rate than Harvard, and Princeton and Yale (although Anatomical Gift probably doesnt know that). So you will be working (and competing) with the best and the brightest. And although class sizes are very small, the architecture student population at cal poly SLO is very large. And also the usage of CAD is heavily underplayed, and you may go the entire 5 years without using it (there emphasis is on design). If this is not what you want, then look elsewhere. But from all the architects I've talked to (and according to every national poll taken), no school consistently puts out as high quality graduates as Cal Poly.
I hope this has been a help, I know it's hard choosing a school when everyone claims to be an absolute expert on it. As a transfer student right now Im sort of in your shoes, and am almost set on going there, but am not sure yet.
Sal |
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prashant
Joined: 21 Apr 2004
Posts: 4
Location: mumbai
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 9:46 am Post subject: |
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hey,
My name is prashant and i am a student from india. i have completed my undergraduate degree in architecture and have applied for a masters degree in architecture.
i agree with what salAzad has to say. UC BERKELY is a good name to have on your resume but as regards design , i doubt you will learn much. CAL POLY has a very design based course structure and if it's an undergraduate degree that you are looking at... an emphasis on design will hold you in good stead for the future.
Also guys i need your help and opinion regarding the following:
i have secured admits from the following universities for a masters degree in architecture.
i need a bit of a help in the final selection of universities. heres my list:
1. IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY.
2. ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY.
3. OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY ( offering me an assistantship with full tuition waiver and stipend of 900 $)
4. TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY AT COLLEGE STATION.( a scholarship allowing me to pay instate tuition)
5. VIRGINIA TECH.
6. U MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR. ( NO AID)
7. S.U.N.Y. AT BUFFALO.
by the way what is the general opinion about the architecture program at the ohio state university and ohio state university itself.?
prashant |
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antomical gift
Joined: 19 Apr 2004
Posts: 70
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 11:32 am Post subject: |
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Sal, obviously you have a vested interest in upholding the image of the school you attend and cannot be reasoned with otherwise. Don't make like you have some unbiased opinion when all you have to say is what a great school Cal Poly is.
Did you ever question why the SCI-Arc advisor suggested Cal Poly? |
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SalAzad
Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 9
Location: San Jose, CA
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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I dont attend Cal Poly, I go to community college right now, and am in my last semester. I do have a question for you....Before when blanket bashing the schools in the top ten which you did not deem worthy you said of number 2 Cal Poly, "Is no one going to debate me on this?" Well, I guess you got more than what you could handle in the debate field, because, when challenged, your assumptions fall far short from the truth.
But It's always good when you can't challenge the truth, to call it propaganda and biased, right?
Friendly Sal |
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antomical gift
Joined: 19 Apr 2004
Posts: 70
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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| What makes you think that I cannot handle it? Actually, it's refreshing on a site that only infrequently offers any insite into such topics. |
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grimstuff
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 20
Location: California
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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| What Sal said about Cal Poly not emphasising CAD is correct. |
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tekton
Joined: 04 May 2004
Posts: 5
Location: Savannah
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| Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 2:40 pm Post subject: the south |
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| why is everyone hating on the south? a few other good schools i would look at would be Georgia Tech, Auburn, and The Savannah College of Art and Design... |
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architect
Joined: 04 May 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Phoenix AZ
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| Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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prashant,
I'm currently enrolled in the architecture program here at Arizona State University. I don't know much about the program so far but I'll give you my account. So far I've had a really good time. The atmosphere in the school is electric and vital. There is a real sense of community among the diverse student population. The university itself is going under a tremendous reconfiguration in its attempts to shake the old party school image--seekiing its academic fortune by drawing in research and raising academic standards. I'm grateful for having such a wonderful institution close at hand. I would have to also mention Phoenix has the influence of such notable architects as Frank Lloyd Wright, Paolo Soleri and William Bruder. The very cultural environment of Phoenix itself is very dynamic right now.
architect
_________________
"In the space between the beats, we are One." |
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prashant
Joined: 21 Apr 2004
Posts: 4
Location: mumbai
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| Posted: Sat May 08, 2004 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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architect,
thanks for the reply. i have heard of Arizona State being all that you have described it to be. the school seems to be an exciting place to study in and it's proximity to california ensures a few big names visiting the campus. but the problem is funds to attend the college. 
ASU has not offered me any assistantship of any sort thereby making it difficult for me to fund myself, which is a big factor in choosing a school, here in india. that is the reason, i am eager to find out more about ohio state university, as it has offered me an assistantship, making it a bit easier. what i would like to know is , how does OSU stand in comparison to the other schools that i have mentioned .
thanks,
prashant |
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