Becoming an Architect?

[Guest nec]

Hello Everyone,

 

Just wanted to ask, I am currently 27 and interested in going back to school for architecture. This will be my second degree, and the school I found in my area will only offer a Bacherlor's only. Therefore, it will take me about 3 years to finish.

 

In high school, I was interested in architecture while living in Las Vegas. I was discouraged by many and decided to go to another field. Now, moving to orange county, ca I do see some sort of positivity about this career. It began to daunt me.

 

My question is it worth doing? any advice would be appreciated.........

[ronll]

Depends on what you want out of life. If you want "a life well-lived", then yes, it is definitely worth it. If you want to earn a lot of money, then no, there must be easier ways.

[epelj1]

Becoming an architect now requires a Masters degree in many states. (not sure about CA, and not sure if you knew this, but it's definitely worth repeating).

 

I'm 26 and going back to finished my BS and continue to get my masters, so I've went though this decision already. A decision that was supported by many architects in the office I work in.

 

Since you already have a degree (bachelor's?) look into a school that offers a 3-year Masters in Architecture to non-architecture related undergraduate degrees.

[1eo]

Hello Everyone,

 

Just wanted to ask, I am currently 27 and interested in going back to school for architecture. This will be my second degree, and the school I found in my area will only offer a Bacherlor's only. Therefore, it will take me about 3 years to finish.

 

In high school, I was interested in architecture while living in Las Vegas. I was discouraged by many and decided to go to another field. Now, moving to orange county, ca I do see some sort of positivity about this career. It began to daunt me.

 

My question is it worth doing? any advice would be appreciated.........

 

 

WAIT A SECOND>..........

 

If you want to become an architect, you need an insane amount dedication.

You will need at least 9 to 15 years of hard work and study to become a register architect in US.

 

First, don't be fooled by that school, if you want to become an architect you need to go to a school that is NCARB certified (National Council of Architectural Registration Board). Which means either a 5 year bachelors (4 years + thesis or bachelors +masters). I had to commute 70 miles every day for those five years because my State (DE) didn't have a NCARB certified school . Out 130 people that started school with me less than 40 finished. Arch. Students don’t have life outside of studying… You’ll see why if you decide to go for it.

 

Once you're done with school, you'll need to do a 3 years ( 5,600 hours) of IDP. Internship Developing Program. During that time, you won’t be able to call yourself an architect. In some states you can't even use the word “architectural” to define your title as it would be deceiving (like the 3 year program that your school has). You'll start working at the same level than people with a 2 year degree from ITTech (what we call CAD monkey )

 

During IDP, you need to fill in requirements and report them to NCARB. In some firms it's easy, in other firms it will cost you ( so prepare to bend over).

 

Just to give you an idea of what are the IDP requirements

Construction Documents: 1080 hours

Programming: 80 hours

Site and Environmental Analysis: 80 hours

Design Development: 320 hours

Project Management: 120

and my favorite

Pro. and Community service: 80 hours

 

After you finish your 5,600 hours of force labor, you'll be ready to experience NCARB at its finest. Because you'll have to take the 9 (nine) A.R.E. (aka: Architectural Registration Exams) if you want to become an architect.

 

You'll think than anybody that went through those 5-6 years of school to get a B.Arch or M.Arch will sure go for the license, but be careful, many give up during the internship (don't ask me why... because I don't get how some people can be that stupid).

 

Anyway, most people take somewhere between 2 to 4 years to take all the exams, but be careful, there is a 5 year rule. If you don't finish by the 5th year, you'll need to retake all the exams

 

Now, if you're as lucky as me, you might not have to worry about the 5 year rule, because NCARB will decide to change the exams. If that is the case, you could end up with as little as one year to do all your exams.

 

Did I mention that if you fail an exam you're not allowed to retake it for 6 months?

Did I mention that between the NCRAP and the FL board they took 4 months just to process my application so I could take the exams (BTW all the information needed was already in their records).

Did I mention that I have been waiting for my exam results since Oct.??? they are computer exams, they are already graded automatically!!!! (I got them today… all 4 exams that I have taken are a pass)

 

I just spent +$2,500 in books for these exams, I need to take one every month and fail none if I want to finish in time. That is 40 of study time plus 40 of work per week +/-.

 

 

Just to give you an idea, for my next exam this is what some people recommend:

 

 

Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings (MEEB), 9th ed., Stein & Reynolds:

As many have pointed out, if you can only have one source, this is it. If you have the stamina to read AND absorb the entire thing, not only will it address 95% of the questions you will encounter on the test, but you are a remarkable specimen of human intellect, and should perhaps consider a more high-paying career. But seriously, this should become a desk reference for every architect. It’s 1800 pages of good info.

Very thorough, very detailed (sometimes too detailed at times), and pretty easy to read. Problem: there is just SO MUCH of it. The problem I found is that, after taking the test and reviewing the information I was able to find most of the answers within this book, though it was not always information that would be obvious to a casual reader. You really had to delve deep into the subject matter for some things. While studying, I read this after the other sources – i.e., I came prepared.

 

 

and you better believe, that I have that MF book in my night table.

 

Last but not least, Architecture is a very bad paying carrier for the amount of work and dedication that you have to put on.

 

I remember reading a study that claimed that architecture was 1 of the 3 worst paying carriers.

3. Chef.

2. Architect

1. Research scientist

 

Now, the money part doesn't discourage me because it's all about how you handle your business.

I'm getting my license, because I'm going to open my own firm. I'm also going to get a General Contractor license and I’m planning develop my own projects.

 

SO BOTTOM LINE:

..... If you see yourself doing all this, because there is nothing in this world that you'll rather do.

 

THEN GO FOR IT!!!

 

leo

 

 

EDIT: Ohh!!! you're in California, you'll need to take an extra exam... erthquakes or something

[AJLynn]

You need to take a good look at the process of becoming an architect - each state is a bit different but they all require several years and I don't think California is one of the easier ones. Essentially there are 3 requirements:

 

-Education. Most states require this to be a "professional" degree - a 5-year B.Arch. or a 3- or 3.5-year M.Arch. New York allows you to use a 4-year BS in architecture but with an increased experience requirement.

 

-Experience. I think all states are on the same system now. It's called IDP, it can be started after you've completed a year or two of the education requirement, and it takes at least 3.5 years.

 

-Testing. This can now be done while you are still working on IDP. (Before you had to finish IDP first, or pretend you're from Texas.) Most people spend a year at this because there are several tests and most people need a lot of studying. California adds a seismic test to the general ones.

[Sawyer]

Well you are asking a group of strangers to help you decide your future so I hope we are not the only source you are relying on for information.

 

I think you should take some drafting courses and then work for a few months in a firm before you decide. I think a lot of people think that being an architect is not what they assumed it was. Take your time researching it and play with it for a bit. Some of the people I have talked with were pretty shocked to see that they weren't designing the great buildings they wanted and the liabilities are HUGE.

[1eo]

-Testing. This can now be done while you are still working on IDP. (Before you had to finish IDP first, or pretend you're from Texas.) Most people spend a year at this because there are several tests and most people need a lot of studying. California adds a seismic test to the general ones.

 

Only three states allows it... and I don't think CA is one of them

[cdos00]

NEC,

I am in CA and working on getting registered to begin the testing and IDP portion of the licensing process. My advise to you is to go online and RESEARCH!!!! Everyone here has given the process a terrible "light", although I do agree with some of the points, I take issue with a lot of what has been said.

 

1. Don't go into Architecture if you want to get rich. There are other ways to do such a thing.

 

2. YOU DO NOT have to have a 5-year NAAB accredited diploma in your hand to be an architect. (visit this website: http://www.cab.ca.gov). California is one of the only states left that allows an "experience only" path to license.

 

3. I do agree, that you can get a lot out of finding a job at a firm and learning whether or not this is actually what you want to do... for me, I couldn't be happy doing anything else in life. but that is just me.

 

 

So keep researching, if you find something that you need clarification on, I will monitor this and answer the best I can.

 

Good luck to you!

[denham]

I've done around half of my bachelor architecture degree, (the only degree for architecture besides arch studies that the University of Arkansas offers).

Prepare to not sleep much, & to be overwhelmed with a very diverse ciriculum. But imo it's worth it. Who cares about the money.

 

Some of my friends have graduated with an architectural studies degree, & are now going to a graduate program in order to get a masters degree.

There are other routes you can take such as: graduate a 4 year art degree, then get into graduate architecture school for masters degree.

[AJLynn]

Only three states allows it... and I don't think CA is one of them

 

They voted to change that at the recent meeting.

[EddieLeon]

Nathan,

Architecture is a rewarding career and it's worth getting into it if you love design and want to make a physical impact on society. But, before you make the commitment consider the fact that 25% of firms are starting to think of laying off staff. Also, 50% of everyone that studies architecture does not practice it.

[1eo]

 

2. YOU DO NOT have to have a 5-year NAAB accredited diploma in your hand to be an architect. (visit this website: http://www.cab.ca.gov). California is one of the only states left that allows an "experience only" path to license.

 

yes, but for how long??? I wouldn't recommend anyone to base all their hopes on rules/variants that can change over anytime.

 

I heard in the Virgin Islands you don't need to do the IDP

[1eo]

I've done around half of my bachelor architecture degree, (the only degree for architecture besides arch studies that the University of Arkansas offers).

Prepare to not sleep much, & to be overwhelmed with a very diverse ciriculum. But imo it's worth it. Who cares about the money.

 

Oh... those where the good times , in the beginning people bragged about not sleeping for two days straight to get the work done. By your 4th and 5th year you'll bragging that you got to sleep a couple of hours before jury

[AJLynn]

Sorry, I didn't realize that as Chris said CA allows you to get a license without an accredited degree. Still, I've seen enough people in New York who took that path that if you've got the option of getting the professional degree, I'd advise you to strongly consider it.

 

I'm seeing so much negativity where I had been trying to be neutral but cautionary about the issues that I think some discussion of the other side is in order. Architecture can be very rewarding - there's a certain satisfaction in seeing something you designed and drew get built. It's also possible to make money. Doing both of those things at the same time - designing and making money - is tricky and requires business and personal skills.

[cdos00]

Bravo AJ, I completely agree with your statement. I do love Architecture, it is the only path for me....but I also understand it isn't the only path for everyone.

 

I was also in the same position that Nathan was in about two years ago, I was considering taking out a bunch of student loans and getting a NAAB accredited degree...but the Architect I was working for at the time said "you already have 5 years experience, at this point the things you are missing from design school are the 'theory' parts and the tough skin of getting 'torn apart' by jury" He advised me to take a couple of art classes and architecture history classes and then start designing stuff and getting it in front of my peers...

 

I am working on that second part. but I will get there.