Transfer to Architecture

I was wondering if you could help me, I am graduating from a Architectural Technology program with a Diploma and I would like to go to the next step in getting my Bachelors in Architecture. How do I got about finding schools that will transfer credits, where I can get the most out of what I have already completed? Any information would be extremely helpful! (I am located in Canada and would prefer to study there, but I am open minded about the U.S and Internationally). Thank you! 
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First, there are no BArch programs in Canada.

CACB

http://www.cacb-ccca.ca/index.cfm?Repertoire_No=660386109&Voir=corporatif

Next, you can research architecture programs in the U.S. from the following:

NAAB
http://www.naab.org/architecture_programs/

ARCHSchools.org
http://www.archschools.org/

To best determine how to transfer, you will need to be in touch with each respective program.  As you do so, be ready with not just your transcript but also course syllabi, etc.

Best.

Dr. Architecture. 

Transfer to Architecture

I'd really appreciate any information you can provide me with. The story goes: I just finished my first year in architectural engineering at Penn State this past May and am currently taking a year off after my family ran into financial issues over the summer. I'm looking to transfer to a Florida school (being a Florida resident it would be much cheaper), but I want to go into architecture. I just started researching all this information a few weeks ago, so I'm not really clear as to what it is that I'm looking for as far as architecture programs.

I found that there are only three schools offering a NAAB accredited B.Arch, one of which is an expensive private school, one of which is in a fairly bad area, and the other a school that I'd never heard of until starting my research. There are other larger name schools that offer Bachelors of Arts or Science in Architecture, but I'm wondering what the difference is. Will one allow me to begin my career out of undergraduate school and the other require more years? Should I be applying to these non-accredited programs or is that not a bright idea? I'm just very worried that I'm already missing out on a year of school and I don't want to waste any more time. I apologize for taking up you any of your time.

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First, thanks for reaching out to me to gain some insight on "becoming an architect."  I would very much suggest you obtain a copy of my book, Becoming an Architect, 2nd ed., as it will answer many of the questions you have but I will address what you ask below.

Next, to meet the educational requirements of becoming an architect, you need a NAAB accredited professional degree; this can be accomplished by the traditional 5-year Bachelor of Architecture or the 4+2 years Bachelor of Arts/Science in Architecture + Master of Architecture.  In other words, it is OK to pursue the four-year undergraduate degree as long as you recognize that you will need to pursue the two-year Master of Architecture.

Given your year at PSU, it is unlikely that you will be able to transfer into the 2nd year of the Bachelor of Architecture because of courses you will have missed; it will probably take a full five years to complete.  For this reason, the 4+2 route may be better for you.  You would still have five more years of school - three years to complete the four-year undergraduate degree and two years for the Master of Architecture.

To view all of the accredited programs in Florida, visit NAAB.org -- see below.

Florida A & M University	School of Architecture
Florida Atlantic University	School of Architecture
Florida International University	School of Architecture
University of Florida	School of Architecture
University of Miami	School of Architecture
University of South Florida	School of Architecture and Community Design

Now, one program to consider is the University of Central Florida - http://svad.cah.ucf.edu/students/degrees/BDes-Architecture/ -- They have a new four-year degree that is public which would feed to a Master of Architecture

http://www.architecture.ucf.edu/ -- below is from the website.

In collaboration with Valencia Community College and the University of Florida (UF), UCF offers the Bachelor of Design in Architecture. Through the 2+2+2 program, you can complete your associate’s degree at Valencia, your bachelor’s degree at UCF and your master’s degree at UF. It’s convenient, affordable and flexible.

So, you might be able to attend Valencia next year, proceed to UCF and move to UF for the Master of Architecture.

Also, do not eliminate the other programs just because they are private or you do not know anything about them.  Sometimes, private institutions provide more financial aid.

During your year off, look to take a few preparatory courses based on conversations with these potential programs.  Draw, sketch, draw what you see.  Visit architectures - look at your surroundings.

Have fun and feel free to contact me again if you have more questions.

Transfer to an Architecture School

I'm  currently working on a double major in Environmental Studies and Art at a university. Although I enjoy these classes, I feel that career-wise I am more interested in environmental architecture. I am a sophomore entering my the winter quarter.  I have yet to take any architectural classes but have taken three years worth of Digital Arts in the Artquest program where I used Photoshop and the 3d Modeling software Lightwave.  I have taken History of Modern Architecture, Intro to Drawing and Intro to Photography. This quarter I plan on taking Calculus for Science, Engineering and Mathematics, Into to Oil Painting, and 2D Art Foundation. It seems like most schools prefer their applicants to have a  strong background in Math and  Physics.  In high school I received a 4 on the AP Physics test. So far I have not taken any Physics classes since neither major required it and my AP score satisfied my general education requirement.  Would you suggest that I take more math and  physics courses?

The other question I have is if I  have much of a chance transferring in the 2012- 2013 school year. There is only one more Art History Architecture class at my school but no Architecture classes at the or the community college. I plan to attend a summer course to get a feel for the various different architecture careers (landscape, urban planning, and regular)  but  I have also  been considering taking a leave of absence during the next year  in order to take architecture classes at the junior college in my hometown. Would this route make me a stronger candidate for the 2013-2014 year?

During my Modern Architecture class I wrote about Frank Lloyd for one of my papers. His ideas on organic architecture, horizontality and the utilization of light and shadow really  appealed to me. In my research it seemed like Taliesin has a pretty odd history. I feel like Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture would provide an extremely peaceful and focused environment for developing myself and my skills. However I was wondering how the school is viewed professionally. Are students seen as prolonging and mimicking Wright's style? What regard is this university held in? Do you feel like this style is still marketable?

Any help is extremely appreciated,

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Given you are almost half-way through a degree at UC Santa Cruz, you have two paths to pursue to become an architect - 1) transfer to an architecture program for fall; or 2) continue with your degree at UC Santa Cruz and afterwards, pursue a Master of Architecture.

Thus, whether you take more mathematics and physics will depend on your desired path.  You will find that most programs do require calculus and physics, but you will need to contact each program to find out.  Let the programs to which you plan to transfer be your guide.

To determine what is best for you for this coming fall, I suggest you be in touch with the schools to which you wish to apply.  I would suggest that you consider transferring sooner not later.

Lastly, with regards to your question about FLW, I would suggest you talk directly to both faculty and students at the school.  The most critical aspect of a program is its accreditation and that it is a good fit for you.

Be in touch with additional questions as you proceed.

Transfer Questions

Dr. Architecture, first let me say your blog is very informative. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to answer questions for those of us who are clueless. I am in need of some advice. I am currently a first semester freshman at a local public research university. I am strongly considering transferring to a different university next fall to study architecture. My problem is that I have absolutely no art or design background, though I do have a strong musical background and am well acquainted with the creative process. 

 

My grades are excellent (I already have 9 hours worth of credit from dual enrollment classes I took in high school, and I have High A's in all my classes this semester so far. I expect to maintain my 4.0 gpa), but all of my credit hours are just general education. I am very driven, and I know I will do well wherever I go, but I really have no idea If this is a feasible plan, or what to take next semester. I still have some general education classes I could take, but I don't know what sort of classes are necessary to have already taken in order to transfer into an architecture program. 

 

I guess my question is, what are the steps I need to take in order to make a successful transition into an Architecture program? Thank you for taking the time to help me out.

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Thanks for your compliment!

As one who works within a School of Architecture at a Big Ten Research I University, I would not worry too much about your lack of art or design background.  Research the programs to which you wish to transfer but many may not require a portfolio.  Our program is a 4 + 2 which has almost all general education courses (liberal arts) in the first year and one required architecture course.

The best way to determine what to take next semester is to contact the respective programs to which you are applying.  Have you done Calculus and Physics?  Can you take art/freehand drawing courses at your current school?  Are there more general education courses that you can take?

Granted, you may NOT be wish to transfer to a five-year BArch program because you would be behind, but I know of many 4 + 2 MArch programs that would be just fine for you.

To successfully transfer, you need to contact and talk with the architecture programs directly.  Review what they have their first year students (freshmen) take and parallel it.  Talk with an academic advisor in the architecture program and the Office of Admissions. 

Keep in touch.  Best.

Transfer or pursue MArch later

I knew at an early age that architecture was the career for me. (However, things didn't go as they should have and now I'm currently going into my second year of college at a small liberal arts school.) Since I must officially decide on a major this year, I am just wondering if you have any advice on the best path to take for someone who knows for a fact that they want to become an architect but goes to a college that doesn't offer it.

Should I stay here or try to transfer? I like my school but I'm scared I'm just wasting money. The one possible plan I have would be to major in art history (because it is the only other thing that interests me, and it has some architectural history) and maybe minor in art, then study abroad next year and take some architecture classes, maybe do a summer program, amass a portfolio, then eventually apply for the M.Arch after college. This isn't out of the ordinary or looked down upon in any way, right? Is there anything else that I could be doing?

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Your decision will depend on how quickly you wish to directly pursue architecture. As you are only a second year student, you may be able to easily transfer to an architecture program at some institutions but you should contact potential programs now for what courses are important -- possibly calculus, physics, drawing, etc.

But if you enjoy your institution, you would not be wasting your money; it is simply a different path to the same end goal - architect. Individuals pursuing an undergraduate in another discipline with the MArch is quite common and would not be looked down upon by employers. In fact, some employers prefer this route because graduates are more mature and have a different perspective.

As you suggest, you should seek experiences that will help you transition to architecture -- drawing, study abroad, etc.

To research programs visit -- www.naab.org -- and -- www.archschools.org --. Also, you may wish to obtain Becoming an Architect: A Guide to Careers in Design.

Dr. Architecture

Cost of Higher Education

With the price of college these days, what are the positives and negatives of going to a local State college (that does not offer architecture as a major, but does offer art) for two years to get some core classes out of the way (and saving money) and then finishing the final years at an architecture school? My daughter is finishing up her Junior year in High School and the reality of college tuition is getting scary!!! Thank you.
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You suggestion is certainly a probable one but I wonder if there is a public institution in your state that does have an architecture program. Visit -- www.naab.org -- and -- www.archschools.org -- for a list of accredited architecture programs.

The positives of attending the local state college are certainly lower cost but the transfer of credits may be a negative that overrides the decision. You truly have to think through to the architecture program to which your daughter will transfer to ensure that she takes the correct courses for transfer. As well, the degree program to which this will probably works best is the pre-professional Bachelor of Science (or similar) and the accredited Master of Architecture. You can make this certainly happen but you will want to truly plan the first two years carefully to ensure admission to an architecture as a junior.

Obviously, if she lived at home, your family could save additional monies, but sometimes the experience of college if more than just academics.

To become an architect, you need an accredited degree. Aside from the idea listed above, another option would be to complete a degree (in art or another discipline) as an undergraduate saving more monies and attend the graduate accredited Master of Architecture (3-4 years). Sure, it postpones the true study of architecture until graduate studies, but it probably saves more monies. Plus, there is typically more financial aid at the graduate level.

Also, you should still consider attending architecture school directly from high school even if you have to go out-of-state as are not considered for financial aid (merit or need) unless you apply. I worked for IIT (Chicago); we had one full-tuition scholarship for the full five year BArch. One year, I was able to convince a student who would have never considered IIT because of the scholarship. She applied, was admitted and won the scholarship. Where do you think she attended. Remember, more than 50% of college students receive financial aid.

Dr. Architecture

Change major / Transfer

I am currently a sophomore at a liberal arts college in NY with an intended Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts (concentration in Architecture). The architecture classes offered here are mainly design-based with VectorWorks CAD. I feel unprepared compared to other students in colleges that offer the 5-year BArch program. I feel they would be chosen as interns over me because they learn more about architecture. This makes me doubt my future if I were to have a career in Architecture. Should I change my major? Transfer to another college? I really don't know what to do...
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Given that you are NOT in an architecture program, it seems reasonable that students in a BArch would be selected over you for intern positions. However, do not fret.

If your desire is to become an architect, you can transfer, but you may move backwards if you transfer to a BArch. You may consider transferring to a preprofessional BS degree within an architecture program. Another option that I strongly encourage is to complete your degree in Visual Arts and pursue the 3-4 year Master of Architecture degree.

You have to decide which is the best route for you.

Also, visit www.naab.org and www.archschools.org to learn more about accredited degree programs.

Dr. Architecture