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Mondrian
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject: What is architecture school like? |
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What is architecture school like?
I'll be graduating next year with a BS degree and plan to go to Ball State for the 3.5 year MS Architecture degree, and I am still somewhat in the dark as to what the work will be like. All that I've heard are statements like "oh, it's a lot of work, you'll be spending nights in the building, but enjoy the experience." That doesn't really say much...
I know that I'll have a heavy workload, and I'm fine with that since I deal with it at the moment. But, how about the difficulty? I guess what I've gotten out of what everyone has said, is that you have to be diligent with your time, hard working, and a creative designer. What do you personally believe? Right now I don't really know what to believe to be honest. I've heard Architecture school can be a relatively smooth ride as long as you work hard, but I've also heard that it's very difficult.
On a side note, I've heard Architecture school is hard to get into. I'm doing great in school at the moment. I have a high cumulative GPA, I'm on the Dean's List, and I would be able to have many letters of recommendation to get admitted. Should I have a good chance of getting in? Ok, I'm done ranting. Thanks in advance for any advice, it's greatly appreciated. |
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teamjdc
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 310
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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Your questions are difficult to answer.
The best way to see what it's like is to visit a school. Talk to the students.
It's always tough. It's tougher if you don't have an aptitude for it.
Since you mention a longer MArch, that means you'll be taking many undegrad courses. Things like structures, architectural history, etc. Those are not easy courses even though they are typically 300 level.
Many can't handle the design critique process. Architecture school does not worry about your feelings so you need a thick skin.
They are very difficult to get into and the process varies by school. You will likely need a portfolio. If you don't have one, next fall might not work out for you since most schools will require application by the end of the year, if not sooner. |
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feimotion339
Joined: 27 Sep 2008
Posts: 10
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Married To The Job
Joined: 23 Jul 2008
Posts: 36
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| Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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Teamjdc had the best advice -- go visit an architecture school and talk to the students and professors.
After that, I can suggest the book "Architect: A Candid Guide to the Profession" by Roger K. Lewis, which also (candidly) describes the school experience as well. It was written about 10 or so years ago, but I think it is right on the money. Both my copies have been loaned out and lost -- they tend to be quite popular.
As for your specific situation, as a continuing student, not a beginning student, I would think you would be seen in a fairly good light because you are choosing the degree with a good deal of education behind you. Give some thought as to how your undergraduate degree can complement and support your interest in architecture. As to what is required to get in, that's specific to the university program. But you should give some thought to how well you can communicate in a graphic form. |
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innova+e
Joined: 21 Dec 2007
Posts: 41
Location: lisbon
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| Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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This is always a good question for students to ask, it's as simple as they come, yet you won't get any one-liner responses from this site. Im surprised there are not more responses to be honest.
First of all, in simple terms, Yes, it's a lot of work, and if you think it's important to do more than what's required (using creativity and innovation and discipline above the more casual students) you will be staying up late. I've been out of school five years and I'm still pulling all nighters at times, along with our engineers to meet deadlines.
Here's the counter argument to whoever told you architecture school would be a breeze if you work hard. The harder you work, the more you'll give yourself to do. You'll see what I mean. I found that the weaker students were usually in by 10am and out by 5pm, probably had to go watch their sitcoms. Be prepared for a dedication on your part, just like many other programs, yet, in architecture I would say there is far more in front of you in terms of workload that is far less explained in clear format, hence, the more you struggle to do well and rise above the others, the more you'll discover really needs being done. My very wise and favorite professor and mentor said to me once, "I find the work (project) is never really done, even when it goes to construction, sometimes that's just the beginning of the design, maybe that's why we call it practicing rather than doing architecture."
That said, the things you will be doing in school may seem futile as they are best for honing your skills in design, organization, planning etc, and their purpose might not seem so apparent in an immediate sense of the word. Keep at it.
Finally, you don't need to be the most creative person in the world. You are or you are not. Architecture school might be too late in the game to get strokes of creativity if you don't already possess such characteristics. Don't dispair however if you don't feel you are the most creative, or that others might be moreso. Architecture is so much more than fancy sketches on whiskey stained napkins. The best architecture comes from a team of good architects, all skilled in different ways. Drawing does help, but Im not certain how much hand drafting you'll be doing. I personally went through rolls of bumwad on a regular basis however with my sketches and diagramatic notations. Don't worry so much about cad you'll learn eventually and you want to hone other skills first.
Read a lot about those who came before you to understand the why's of what they did, not necessarily to use as precedent to develop a 'style'.
Good luck. |
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mr_minimal
Joined: 26 Oct 2008
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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If you truly love design, its heaven with a little bit of hell thrown in.
If design really isnt your thing, its just hell.
Good luck. |
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teamjdc
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 310
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| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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| I completely forgot to mention that there's a disportionate number of cocky SOB's among both the students and faculty. |
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ssok08
Joined: 27 Oct 2008
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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Architecture school is an experience, so I wouldn't go into if you have the idea that it will be "a breeze". I can tell it requires a lot of time every night, including weekends to be successful. You will have to present your designs very often, so you should be comfortable speaking in front of groups of people. Usually it is your class, professor, and guest critics (architects). After you present your design you will get comments. They should be constructive, but sometimes I have seen some very nasty comments. You can't take it personal, even though you spent countless hours and nights on a design you thought was good. I don't know about other schools but I had studio 3x a week, 5 hrs each, M-W-Fri. You will discover studio life, beyond class hours.
Oh yeah I hope you know that after you graduate with your MArch, you will have to do the IDP program which is an internship for at least 3 years. Then you can take ARE and become a registered architect. So before all that you will be poorly paid considering the amount of work you do. |
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Mondrian
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you everyone for all of your responses! 
Keep 'em coming! |
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