Summer Programs in Architecture - Summer 2017

Summer Programs in Architecture - Summer 2017

updated June 2017

* New since last posting

NORTHEAST

ACE Mentor Program – Allentown, PA – Let’s Build Construction Camp for Girls

http://www.greaterlehighvalleycsi.com/lets-build-camp.html

June 19 – 23, 2017 (1 week)

Barnard College – New York, NY – Summer in the City

http://barnard.edu/summer

June 25 – July 21, 2017 (4 weeks)

Boston Architectural College - Boston, MA – Summer Academy

http://www.the-bac.edu/education-programs/summer-academy

June 26 – July 28, 2017 (5 weeks)

Carnegie Mellon University - Pittsburgh, PA – Pre-College Architecture

http://admission.enrollment.cmu.edu/pages/pre-college-architecture

July 1 – July 22, 2017 (3 weeks); July 1 – August 11, 2017 (6 weeks)

*Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History – Pittsburgh, PA – Architecture Camps

http://camps.artandnaturalhistory.org/calendar/?week=-1&event_category=2&event_audience=0

Contact Programs for Dates (various grades)

Catholic University of America – Washington, DC – Experiences in Architecture

http://architecture.cua.edu/other-programs/experiences-in-architecture.cfm

July 10 – 28, 2017 (3 weeks)

Center for Architecture - New York, NY – Architecture Camps
http://www.cfafoundation.org/summer
June 19 – August 25, 2017 (week long Architecture Camps Grades 3-12)

City College of New York – New York, NY – Summer Architecture Career Lab

https://ssa.ccny.cuny.edu/programs-centers/other-programs/summer-arch-career-lab/

July 5 – August 2, 2017 (4 weeks)

Columbia University - New York, NY - Introduction to Architecture          

https://www.arch.columbia.edu/programs/2-intro-to-architecture

Contact School for Dates

Cooper Union – New York, NY – Summer Program in Architecture

http://cooper.edu/architecture/school-architecture-summer-programs

July 10 – August 4, 2017 (4 weeks)

Cornell University - Ithaca, NY – Introduction to Architecture

http://www.sce.cornell.edu/sc/programs/index.php?v=arch&s=Overview                

June 24 – August 5, 2017 (6 weeks)

Design Science Lab - Chestnut Hill College - Philadelphia, PA

http://www.designsciencelab.com

June 18–26, 2017 (1 week)

Drexel University - Philadelphia, PA - Discovering Architecture

http://www.drexel.edu/westphal/about/summerHighschoolProgram/Summer_Programs_ARCH/

July 9 – 21, 2017 (2 weeks)

Harvard University - Cambridge, MA – Career Discovery

http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/careerdiscovery/                                      

June 19 – July 28, 2017 (6 weeks)

Fallingwater – Mill Run, PA – High School Residency

http://www.fallingwater.org/142

June 24 – July 1; July 22 – 29, 2017

Maryland Institute College of Art – Summer PreCollege

http://www.mica.edu/precollege

June 24 – July 22, 2017 (4 weeks)

Maryland, University of - College Park, MD – Terp Young Scholars

http://oes.umd.edu/young-scholars

July 9 – 28, 2017 (3 weeks)

Marywood University – Scanton, PA – Design Your Future: PreCollege Summer Workshop

http://www.marywood.edu/architecture/design-your-future/index.html

July 17 – 28, 2017 (2 weeks)

Massachusetts Amherst, University of – Amherst, MA

Summer Design Academy

http://www.umass.edu/summer/precollege.html

July 9 – 29, 2017 (3 weeks)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Boston, MA – Urban Frames

http://www.urbanframe.org/ - !2015-three-public-squares/c11cd

July 10 – 21, 2017 (2 weeks)

National Building Museum - Washington, DC – Summer Camp Programs for 1^st – 6^th graders

http://www.nbm.org/families-kids/summer-camp.html

July 5 – 7; July 10 – 14, July 17 – 21, July 24 – 28, July 31 – August 4, 2017

New Jersey Institute of Technology - Newark, NJ – Summer Architecture + Design

http://design.njit.edu/coadprograms/summer.php       

July 9 – 14, July 16 – 21, July 23 – 28, 2017 (1 week)

New York Institute of Technology - Old Westbury, NY – Exploring Architecture in Manhattan

http://www.nyit.edu/nyit_academy/exploring_architecture_in_manhattan

July 10 – August 3, 2017 (4 weeks)

Parsons The New School For Design – New York, NY – Summer Studies in Constructed Environments

http://www.newschool.edu/parsons/summer-studies-in-constructed-environments/

June 26 – July 28, 2017 (5 weeks)

Pennsylvania State Univ. - State College, PA – Architecture & Landscape Architecture Summer Camp

http://architecture-camps.outreach.psu.edu/

July 16-20, 2017 (1 week)

Pennsylvania, University of – Philadelphia, PA – Architecture: Summer at Penn

http://jkcp.com/architecture

July 2 – 29, 2017 Residential (4 weeks); July 3 – 28, 2017 Day (4 weeks)

*Phillips Exeter Academy – Exeter, NH – Exeter Summer

http://www.exeter.edu/exeter-summer

Contact Program for Dates.

Pratt Institute - Brooklyn, NY – Pre-College Summer Program

http://ww.pratt.edu/precollege 

July 5 – 28, 2017 (4 weeks)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Troy, NY - Architecture Career Discovery Program

http://summer.rpi.edu/programs

July 9 – 21, 2017 (2 weeks)

Rhode Island School of Design – Providence, RI

Pre-College: Architecture

http://precollege.risd.edu/wp/

June 24 – August 5, 2017

Roger Williams University - Bristol, RI – Summer Academy: Experience Architecture

http://rwu.edu/academics/schools-colleges/saahp/special-programs/summer-programs/summer-academy

July 9 – August 5, 2017 (4 weeks)

Syracuse University - Syracuse, NY – Summer College

http://summercollege.syr.edu/program/architecture/

July 3 – August 11, 2017 (6 weeks)

Temple University – Philadelphia, PA – Architecture Institute

http://tyler.temple.edu/continuing-education-program/architecture-institute

July 10 – 21, 2017 (2 weeks)

Yale University – New Haven, CT – EXPLO 360

http://www.explo.org/360/yale

June 25 – July 15; July 16 – August 5, 2017 (3 weeks)

SOUTHEAST

Auburn University – Auburn, AL (Architecture Camp/Design Workshop) and Birmingham, AL (Design)

http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/summerexperience/

June 18 – 23; July 9 – 14, 2017 (1 week) (Auburn)

July 17 – 21; July 24 – 28, 2017 (1 week) (Birmingham)

Clemson University - Clemson, SC – Designing the Built Environment

http://www.clemson.edu/summer-scholars

June 25 – July 1, 2017 (1 week)

Florida Atlantic University – Boca Raton, FL – Architecture Summer Program

http://www.idac.fau.edu/design/HSSI.html

July 10-21; July 24 – August 4, 2017 (2 weeks)

Florida, University of - Gainesville, FL – Summer Design Exploration

https://dcp.ufl.edu/architecture/summer-design-exploration/

June 18 – July 7, 2017 (3 weeks)

Georgia Institute of Technology - Atlanta, GA – Pre-College Summer Program

https://design.gatech.edu/precollege

June 19 – 30; July 10 - 21, 2017 (2 weeks)

*Hip Hop Architecture Camp – Atlanta, GA

http://hiphoparchitecture.com/

July 17-21, 2017 (1 week)

Kennesaw State University – Marietta, GA – Summer Design Workshop

http://cacm.kennesaw.edu/architecture/programs/summer-design-workshop.php

July 10 – 28, 2017 (3 weeks)

Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge, LA – Architecture Camp

http://www.outreach.lsu.edu/Pre-K-12/Architecture-Design-Workshop

June 11 – 16, 2017 (1 week)

Louisiana at Lafayette, University of – Lafayette, LA

https://architecture.louisiana.edu/prospective-students/schedule-your-visit-today/design-discovery-summer-camp

June 12 – 17, 2017 (1 weeks)

*Memphis, University of – Memphis, TN – Discovering Architecture + Design Days

http://www.memphis.edu/architecture/communityengagement/summerprogram.php

May 13, 2017 (1 day)

Miami, University of - Miami, FL – Summer Scholars Program

http://miami.edu/dcie/index.php/ssp

July 1 – 21, 2017 (3 weeks, full-time in-residence)

Mississippi State University - Starkville, MS – Design Discovery

http://www.sarc.msstate.edu/caad_web/sarc/designdiscovery.php

June 9 – 16, 2017 (1 week)

North Carolina at Charlotte, University of - Charlotte, NC – Architecture Summer Program

http://coaa.uncc.edu/academics/school-of-architecture/summer-camp-0

June 11 - June 17, 2017 (1 week)

North Carolina State University - Raleigh, NC – Summer Studios

design.ncsu.edu/designcamp

June 12 – 16 (7^th &  8^th Grade); July 10 –14, 2017 (10^th, 11^th & 12^th Grade); (day)

June 25 – July 1; July 23 – 29, 2017 (11^th & 12^th Grade) (overnight) (1 week)

Savannah College of Arts & Design – Atlanta and Savannah, GA – Rising Star

http://www.scad.edu/admission/admission-information/pre-college/rising-star

June 18 – July 21, 2017 (5 weeks)

Savannah College of Arts & Design – Savannah, GA - SCAD Summer Seminars
http://www.scad.edu/academics/pre-college-summer-programs/scad-summer-seminars
June 25 – 30, July 9 – 14, July 16 – 21, July 23 – 28, July 30 – Aug. 4, 2017 (1 week)

Tennessee, University of - Knoxville, TN – Design Matters Camp

http://archdesign.utk.edu/news-events/design-matters-camp/

July 9 – 14, 2017 (1 week)

Tulane University - New Orleans, LA – Career Explorations in Architecture

http://architecture.tulane.edu/programs/summer-high-school-program

July 9 – 29, 2016 (3 weeks)

Tuskegee University – Tuskegee, AL - PACT

http://www.tuskegee.edu/academics/colleges/school_of_architecture_and_construction_science/pact_summer_program.aspx

June 18 – July 1, 2017 (2 weeks)

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University - Blacksburg, VA – Inside Architecture + Design

https://sites.google.com/site/insidearchitectureanddesign/

June 25 – 30, 2017 (1 week)

EAST CENTRAL

Andrews University – Berrien Springs, MI – Renaissance Kids 2017

https://www.andrews.edu/said/renaissance-kids                       

June 10 – 14; June 12 – 16; June 19 – 23; June 26 – 30, 2017 (1 week)

July 4 – 8; July 10 – 14, July 17 – 21, July 24 – 28, 2017 (1 week)

Ball State University - Muncie, IN – DesignWorks Summer Academy         

http://bsu.edu/cap/designworks

July 9 – 21, 2017 (2 weeks)

*Center for Architecture and Design – Columbus, OH – Camp Architecture

http://www.columbuscfad.org/camp-architecture/

Contact Program for Dates (ages 8-18)

Cincinnati, University of – Cincinnati, OH – DAAP Camp Summer Experiences

http://daap.uc.edu/daapcamps.html

June 5 – 9, 2017 (Day); June 18 – 24, 2017 (Residential)

July 10 – 14, 2017 Cincinnati Architecture Mentoring Program (CAMP)

*Chicago Architecture Foundation – Chicago, IL – Architecture Camp

https://www.architecture.org/experience-caf/programs-events/?format=127#programs

July 17 – 21, 2017 (Ages 7-10)

Cranbrook Summer Art Institute – Bloomfield Hills, MI – Summer Art Institute

http://www.cranbrookart.edu/Pages/SummerInstitute.html    

June 26 – July 14, 2017 (3 weeks)

Detroit Mercy, University of – Detroit, MI – Architecture Design Camp – email

arch.udmercy.edu/camp                    

June 26 – 30, 2017 (1 week)

*Hip Hop Architecture Camp – Detroit, MI

http://hiphoparchitecture.com/

August 7-11, 2017 (1 week)

Lawrence Technological University – Detroit, MI – Summer Camp

http://www.ltu.edu/community_k12/summer_camps.asp

June 26 – 30; July 10 - 14; July 17 – 21; July 24 – 28, 2017 (all 1 week)

Miami University - Oxford, OH – Summer Scholars Program

miamioh.edu/summerscholars

July 2 – 14, 2017 (2 weeks)

Michigan, University of - Ann Arbor, MI – ArcStart

http://taubmancollege.umich.edu/architecture/high-school-programs

July 10 – July 31, 2017 (3 weeks)

Notre Dame, University of – Notre Dame, IN – Career Discovery

http://architecture.nd.edu/academics/professional-development/career-discovery/

June 18 – 30, 2017 (2 weeks)

WEST CENTRAL

Frank Lloyd Trust – Oak Park, IL – Design Camps

http://flwright.org/programs/designcamps/individualsessions

June 24, July 22, August 12 (1 day)

July 10 – 14, 2017 (Grades 3-5); July 31 – August 4, 2017 (Grades 6-8) (1 week)

Hip Hop Architecture Camp – Madison, WI

http://hiphoparchitecture.com/the-hhac

Contact Program for Dates and Locations

Institute of Technology – Chicago, IL – Experiment in Architecture / IntroARCH

http://arch.iit.edu/study/special

June 18 – July 1; July 9 – 22, 2017 (2 weeks)

http://arch.iit.edu/admissions/introarch

July 31 - August 14, 2017 (2 weeks)

Illinois at Chicago, University of - Chicago, IL

http://arch.uic.edu/YArch (college students/working professionals)

July 5 – 28, 2017 (4 weeks)

http://arch.uic.edu/HiArch (high school students)

July 11 – 15, 2016 (1 week)

Illinois at Urbana Champaign, University of - Champaign, IL – Discover Architecture          

go.illinois.edu/discover

June 18 – July 1; July 9 – 22, 2017 (2 weeks)

Iowa State University – Ames, IA – Design Dimensions Camp

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/camping                        

July 9 - 14, 2017 (1 week)

Judson University - Elgin, IL – Architecture Discovery Workshop

http://arch.judsonu.edu/architecture-discovery-workshop/

July 9 – 14, 2017 (1 week)

Missouri at Kansas City, University – Kansas City, MO – Design Discovery

http://info.umkc.edu/aupd/design-discovery-program/

June 5 – 7, 2017

Nebraska-Lincoln, University of - Lincoln, NE – Career Explorations

http://architecture.unl.edu/prospective-student/high-school-workshops

June 4 - June 10, 2017 (1 week)

*Oak Park Education Foundation – Oak Park, IL – Base Camp

http://www.opef.org/base-camp/

Contact Program for Dates (various grades)

Oklahoma, University of – Norman, OK – Architecture Summer Academy

http://www.ou.edu/content/outreach/youth/9th-12th-grade/architecture-summer-academy.html

June 11 – 17, 2017 (1 week)

Oklahoma State University – Stillwater, OK – Discover Architecture

http://arch-ceat.okstate.edu/discover-architecture

June 12 – 17, 2017 (1 week)

Project Pipeline – Chicago, IL

https://www.i-noma.org/project-pipeline-summer-camp

August 2 – 6, 2017

School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Chicago, IL – Summer Institute Residency Program

http://www.saic.edu/ecp

June 19 – July 2, 2017 (2 weeks)

Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, IL – Architecture Camp

http://kidarch.siuc.edu/

http://conferenceservices.siu.edu/camps-youth-programs/architecture-camp.php

June 19 – 23 (Grades 4-6); July 9 – 14 (Grades 7-9); July 16 – 23, 2017 (Grades 9-12)

Taliesin – Spring Green, WI – Summer Immersion Program

http://taliesin.edu/news/immersion/

January 9 – March 3 (Taliesin West); June 12 – August 4, 2017 (8 weeks)

*Taliesin – Spring Green, WI – Architecture Camp

http://www.taliesinpreservation.org/engage/camps

Contract Program for Dates (various grades)

Washington University in St. Louis - St. Louis, MO - Architecture Discovery Program         

http://www.samfox.wustl.edu/summer/adp

July 9 – July 22, 2017 (2 weeks)

Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Univ. of - Milwaukee, WI - Architecture Summer Camp

http://www4.uwm.edu/sarup/admissions/outreach/summercamp/summercamp.cfm

July 30 - August 5, 2017 (1 week)

Weisman Art Museum - Minneapolis, MN – Teen Architecture Workshop

http://weisman.umn.edu/learning#community-families

July 31 – August 4, 2017 (1 week)

SOUTHWEST

Arkansas, University of – Fayetteville, AR - Design Camp

http://fayjones.uark.edu/news-and-events/design-camp.php

June 12 – 16; June 19 – 23; June 26 – 30, 2017 (1 week)

*Hip Hop Architecture Camp – Austin, TX

http://hiphoparchitecture.com/

July 10-14, 2017 (1 week)

Houston, University of - Houston, TX – Summer Discovery Program

http://www.wonderworkshouston.org/

June 12 – July 14, 2017 (5 weeks)

Prairie View A&M University – Prairie View, TX  - Architecture Enrichment Concepts

http://www.pvamu.edu/sa/career-services/pre-college-enrichment/

Contact School for Dates

Texas A&M University - College Station, TX - Camp ARCH

http://www.youthadventureprogram.com/

July 2 – 7, 2017 (1 week)

Texas at Austin, University of - Austin, TX – Summer Academy

http://soa.utexas.edu/apply/summer-academy-architecture

June 19 – July 21, 2017 (5 weeks)

Texas at San Antonio, University of – San Antonio, TX – Summer Academy in Architecture

http://cacp.utsa.edu/academic-programs/department-of-architecture/summer-academy-in-architecture-interior-design/

June 5 – 16, 2017 (2 weeks)

WEST

*Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara – Santa Barbara, CA – Summer Camp

http://www.kidzengineering101.com/summer-camps-santa-barbara-and-buellton-ca

July 10 – 14, 2017

Architectural Foundation of San Francisco – San Francisco, CA – Summer Design Institute

http://www.afsf.org/programs/build-san-francisco-summer-design-institute/

June 12 – 30; July 10 – 28, 2017 (3 weeks)

Architecture + Design Museum – Los Angeles, CA

http://aplusd.org/familyprograms/

Contact A + D Museum for dates of workshops held throughout the year

Arcosanti – Mayer, AZ - Workshops

http://arcosanti.org/workshops

Contact Arcosanti for Dates

Arizona State University – Phoenix, AZ – Summer Design Primer

https://design.asu.edu/resources/design-primer                           

June 26 – 30, 2017 (1 week)

Arizona, University of – Tucson, AZ – Camp Architecture

http://capla.arizona.edu/events/camp-architecture-summer-2015

June 5 – 9; June 19 – 23, 2017 (6^th-8^th) (1 week)

June 12 – 16; June 26 – 30, 2017 (9^th-12^th) (1 week)

*Art Center College of Design – Pasadena, CA – Architecture: Inside Out

https://www.artcenter.edu/kids/

July 24-28, 2017 (4^th-8^th) (1 week)

California Baptist University – Riverside, CA – Summer Day Camp

http://cavad.calbaptist.edu/summer17                       

June 26 – 30, 2017 (1 week)

  

California at Berkeley, University of - Berkeley, CA – Summer Institute in Environmental Design

http://ced.berkeley.edu/academics/summer-programs/summer-institute/

July 3 - August 11, 2017 (6 weeks) – College Graduates

http://ced.berkeley.edu/academics/summer-programs/embarc-design-academy/

July 3 – 28, 2017 (4 weeks) – High School

http://ced.berkeley.edu/academics/summer-programs/discovery/

June 3 – August 5, 2017 (5 weeks) - College

California at Los Angeles, University of - Los Angeles, CA – Jumpstart Summer Institute

http://www.summer.ucla.edu/institutes/Architecture/overview.htm

July 9 – August 4, 2017 (4 weeks)

http://www.summer.ucla.edu/institutes/TeenArchStudio

July 9 – 21; July 9 – 28, 2016 (2 or 3 weeks)

California College of The Arts - San Francisco, CA – Pre-College

cca.edu/precollege                                                                       

June 26 – July 21, 2017 (4 weeks)

California College of The Arts - San Francisco, CA – Making Architecture

http://makingarchitecture.cca.edu/

July 10 – August 4, 2017 (4 weeks)

California Poly State Univ. – SLO - San Luis Obispo, CA – Summer Career Workshop

http://www.architecture.calpoly.edu/about/summer-career

June 25 - July 21, 2017 (4 weeks)

*Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation – Scottsdale, AZ – Summer Architecture Camp

http://franklloydwright.org/for-kids-families/

Contact Program for dates (various grades)

*Girls Garage – Berkeley, CA – Summer Camp

http://girlsgarage.org/programs/summer-camp/

June / July 2017 (1 week) (various grades including adults)

*Hip Hop Architecture Camp – Los Angeles, CA

http://hiphoparchitecture.com/

June 12-16, 2017 (1 week)

Idaho, University of – Moscow, ID – Summer Design Week

http://www.uidaho.edu/caa/news/annual-events/summer-design-week

June 25 – July 1, 2017 (1 week)

*Institute for Educational Advancement - Explore

http://educationaladvancement.org/programs/iea-explore/

Contact Program for Dates

La Jolla Historical Society - Young Architects Summer Camps

https://lajollahistory.org/education/

Not be held in 2017, but will return in Summer 2018

Los Angeles Institute of Architecture and Design

http://www.laiad.com/

Newschool of Architecture and Design - San Diego, CA – High School Design Experience

http://newschoolarch.edu/academics/summer-courses/                               

August 14 – 24, 2017 (2 weeks)

Oregon, University of - Eugene, OR – Summer Architecture Academy

http://architecture.uoregon.edu/summeracademy

July 10 – August 4, 2017 (4 weeks)

Oregon, University of – Portland, OR – Design Camp

https://aaa.uoregon.edu/uo-design-camp

July 10 – 14, 2017

Project Pipeline NOMA Chapters – Various Cities

http://www.noma.net/article/198/happenings/news/project-pipeline-camp-registration-underway Contact for Dates

Southern California Institute of Architecture – Los Angeles, CA

https://sciarc.edu/academics/summer-programs/making-and-meaning/

July 20 – August 4, 2017 (college students) – Making and Meaning

https://sciarc.edu/academics/summer-programs/design-immersion-days/

June 19 – July 15, 2017 (4 weeks) (high school students) – Design Immersion Days

Southern California, University of - Los Angeles, CA – Exploration of Architecture

http://arch.usc.edu/Programs/SummerPrograms/ExplorationofArchitecture

June 18 – July 15, 2017 (4 weeks); June 18 – July 2, 2017 (2 weeks)

Taliesin Preservation – Spring Green, WI – Architecture Camp

http://www.taliesinpreservation.org/education/youth-programs

June 12 – 16; June 19 – 23; June 26 – 30; July 10 – 14;

July 17 – 21; July 24 – 28; July 31 – August 4 (1 week)

Washington, University of - Seattle, WA – Introduction to Architecture

http://arch.be.washington.edu/programs-and-courses/other-programs/arch-100-summer-program/

June 19 – August 18, 2017 (9 weeks)

http://www.summer-camp.uw.edu/  – Summer Youth Program

July 17 – 28, 2017 (2 weeks)

Woodbury University – Los Angeles, CA – High School Summer Academy / Art of Architecture

https://woodbury.edu/academics/summer-programs/hs-summer-academy/

June 26 – July 28, 2017 (5 weeks) – Monday, Wednesday and Friday only (11^th – 12 grade)

https://woodbury.edu/summer-architecture-camp/

June 26 – July 14, 2017 (3 weeks) – Monday-Friday only (4^th – 8^th grade)

INTERNATIONAL

Architectural Association – London, ENGLAND – Summer School

http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/STUDY/VISITING/summerschool

July 3 – 21, 2017 (3 weeks)

CIAO!  Center for Introduction to Architecture Overseas – Pontano, ITALY

http://www.ciao-cfsu.org

July 1-22, 2017 (3 weeks)

International Summer School – Tamil Nadu, INDIA

http://www.agpworkshops.com/

Contact for dates!

Les Tapies Arts and Architecture Summer Program - France

http://summer.tasis.com/page.cfm?p=397

June 24 – July 15, 2017 (4 weeks)

Design Quest / Design Day / Skill Up Workshops (RIBA) – London, England

http://www.architecture.com/Explore/ExhibitionsandEvents/Workshops/Workshops.aspx

Workshops 2017: Contact RIBA for more details!

Paying for an Architectural Education

First I want to say that I own your book and it has been very helpful! I have always known that I want to be an architect but I made the bold choice of majoring in Art History & Visual Culture (Studio Art minor) as an undergrad at an expensive college because it is something I am also passionate about and I didn't think I was ready for architecture school right after high school. I now know that I want to pursue architecture but my question for you concerns money...

I am currently in my third year of undergrad and I already have a tremendous amount of student loan. Do you recommend that I pay this debt off before applying to grad school for architecture? OR do you recommend that I just pursue my dream now, and aim for grad school right after i graduate (and possibly accumulate more debt)? 

I am currently working 30 hours a week (with school full time), but I will still have a lot of debt when I graduate. My undergrad GPA is also kind of low because of personal problems during my first year, which concerns me in terms of getting scholarships. I have read that it isn't really possible to work and attend architecture school. Is this true? Is there a way I can attend and pay for architecture school even though I'm already in a ton of student debt?

__________

With due respect, decisions where finances are involved are best left for experts on money, of which I am not one.  However, I will provide some insights.

First, there is actually more financial aid in the way of merit-based scholarships, research or teaching assistantships, etc available at the graduate level than at the undergraduate level.  When contacting graduate architecture programs be sure to inquire about what they have available and how you apply.  For example, with your Art History degree, you may be a perfect candidate to be a TA for the Architectural History courses that a program offers.  During my graduate studies, I was an out-of-state student, but out-of-state tuition was waived because of my academics and the assistantship I received almost covered my full tuition; all I paid was living expenses and books.  I had almost little debt from my graduate studies.

Also, inquire about continuing scholarships and award programs that a program may have; where I work now, we provide almost 500K to new and continuing students.

As for working and attending school at the same time -- it is possible, but it depends on the program, where it is located and if positions are available; plus, what impact with working have on your academics.  I once had a former student who worked about 30-40 hours as a shift manager at a fast-food restaurant because he could work nights and attend school during he day, but his time towards work meant less time for studies.  Almost needless to say, his academics suffered.

In addition to merit-based financial aid, be sure to be in touch with the Office of Financial Aid at each school about need based aid.  This may increase your debt, but you must decide how much you can take on and whether it is worth it.

Finally, be honest about your academics from your first year.  Many programs only truly look at your last 60 credit hours.  Any aid you receive may be more based on your portfolio and letters along with your transcript that a course during your freshmen year.

Best to you and feel free to contact with more questions if you wish.

CAREER DAYS IN ARCHITECTURE

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Fall has just begun, but you have already started researching your college choice; but how do you best learn about an institution and its architecture program?  Yes, you can visit websites, but they are impersonal and sometimes difficult to find what you want to know.  You can request information from the program directly, but the materials you receive may be more “sales” oriented.  And, while a website like http://studyarchitecture.com is extremely helpful, it still lacks the personal connection.  Often overlooked, the best method may be to visit one of the career day/college fairs in architecture held throughout the country.

CAREER DAYS IN ARCHITECTURE

While many high schools host annual college fairs, these events do not focus specifically on the discipline of architecture; even if an attending institution has a program in architecture, the representative may not have any direct knowledge on the program. However, there are a few annual events (see list below) that are the answer.

Typically held in the fall, the Career Days/College Fairs focused on architecture is a great opportunity for you to learn more about pursuing a degree in architecture.  You can interact with representatives of the program and ask specific questions (see examples below); you will connect with faculty, program administrators, and possibly alumni and students of the program.  You can obtain a much better insight to a program through this connection by having a personal conversation.

During these architecture specific events, you can visit with between 35-50 programs in architecture allowing you to connect with more schools in a single day.  Granted, these events may not be near where you live, but the investment in time and travel may be worth the cost.

Aside from connecting with the programs, these events will often provide workshops on selecting a school, career options, and financing your education.  Some may have a keynote speaker who is an architect that provides you some insight on the discipline of architecture.

 Thus, while there are many different ways to learn about architecture programs, one of the best ways is attending one of the Career Days in Architecture this fall.  If you wish to become an architect, start you research by attending Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, or Dallas.

Questions to Ask School Representatives

About the School

What is the setting? Rural, Urban, Suburban?

What financial aid/scholarships are available?

What support services are available for students with special needs?

What degree(s)/major(s) do you offer?

How does your school assist students with post-graduation plans?

About the Academic Unit

What is special or unique about your program?

Does the program offer hands-on and/or workplace experience as part of the curriculum?

Do you have a graduate program?

What kind of professional experience does your faculty have?

Are there opportunities for foreign study?

CAREER DAYS IN ARCHITECTURE – FALL 2016

Boston Career Day – Boston Society of Architects

Boston, MA - Saturday, September 24, 2016 – 10:00am – 2:00pm

BSA Space, 290 Congress St., Suite 200, Boston, MA

http://www.architects.org/programs-and-events/architecturedesign-college-fair

Chicago Architecture + Design College Day – Harold Washington College

Chicago, IL - Saturday, October 15, 2016 – 10:00am – 1:00pm

http://chicagocareerday.org/

New York Architecture & Design College Fair – Center for Architecture

New York, NY – Friday, November 4, 2016 – 4:00 – 7:00pm

http://cfafoundation.org/index.php?section=college-fair

Philadelphia Design College Day – Temple University

Philadelphia, PA - Saturday, November 12, 2016 – 11:00am – 2:00pm

http://tyler.temple.edu/events/philadelphia-architecture-design-fair

AIA Dallas – 2B an Architect 2017 – Latino Cultural Center

Dallas, TX – Saturday, February 18, 2017 – 1:00 – 4:00pm

https://www.aiadallas.org/v/registration/2B-An-Architect-2017-STUDENT-REGISTRATION/gk/

AXP Architectural Experience Program

AXP More alphabet soup?
As of June 29, IDP Intern Development Program is no more; in its place is AXP Architectural Experience Program.  To best learn the changes of the program (aside from the name), visit the website of NCARB (see below) and download/read the AXP Guidelines.

http://www.ncarb.org/Experience-Through-Internships.aspx

Architectural Experience Program (AXP)
All of NCARB’s 54 U.S. jurisdictions require you to gain and document a certain amount of experience before becoming an architect. That’s where the Architectural Experience Program^® (AXP^®) comes in. 

Through the AXP, you will learn about the daily realities of architectural practice, acquire comprehensive experience in basic practice areas, explore specialized areas of practice, develop professional judgment, and refine your career goals. 

The AXP is developed and administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). In most jurisdictions, completion of the AXP is a requirement for initial registration. The AXP identifies the tasks that are essential for competent practice. The program is structured to prepare you to practice architecture independently upon initial registration.

This week, I will be attending the Architect Licensing Advisor Summit to learn more about the program.  I will be back later to share more details as I learn the details of the new program.

Best.

Dr. Architecture