help deciding which grad program to accept!!!

[schmoron13]

Hi everyone,

 

As some of you know, I've been applying to graduate architecture programs for the past year (specializing in schools that allow "outsiders"-i was a music major in undergrad.). I'm finally deciding which graduate program to attend and I'm down to 3 schools: University of Florida, Syracuse and SUNY-Buffalo. I'm going to visit the later two next weekend, but I won't have a chance to visit Florida, and even if I would have, they're graduating this week, so I doubt I'd see much. In any case, since so many architects come here, I'd love to here anyone's comments, praise, or criticism of any of these programs. If I recall, a couple of you attended Florida (mbr, right?). Any advice I can get would be GREATLY appreciated. I've got a 1 week stay-of-execution for Florida to decide if I want to go, but information is hard to come by, and the other two are awaiting a response as well, so I probably need to decide within a week.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Doron

[mbr]

Congratulations!! Those are some great choices!!

 

 

University of Florida is one of the best undergrad programs in the country. I can't state for a fact that it's as good as it was when I graduated (class of '97), but I am sure it's still very good.

 

They really care about the students there, unlike some other better known schools. The fundamentals they teach are an integral part to being a good designer - skills far too overlooked by over schools. They have a long history of graduating talented students. Of my graduating class, all (with the exception of one), were accepted to at least a few top ten schools, and (myself included) ivy leagues (most of us turned them down, and opted for UCLA). They have a reputation and most of the top schools have much respect for any incoming UF grad - really, it's pretty cool.

 

I loved it and found it to the most valuable decision of my life. I, too, looked at Syracuse for undergrad, but it's just too cold!

 

I can email more specifics this evening, if you'd like. I can't recommend it enough.

 

I should warn you, though, that it's pretty tough. Don't plan on having much of a life outside of the studio (you will live there, for the most part, and bring microwaves, frigs, food, coffee, beer, couches, etc.). You will work your butt off. I'd guess that about 20-30% of those that entered the program graduated.

That said, I had some of the best times of my life in Gainesville. There is NO better town to go to college in. Good night life, sports, good mountain biking, and it's really, really, really cheap!

 

Send me an email if you have any questions.

 

Try a search on here for UF or University of Florida. Xavier and I had a nice discussion about it and posted a bunch of work and links.

 

Also try http://www.archinect.com. There's been more than one discussion about the undergrad program.

[schmoron13]

MBR, thanks for the reply. I knew that I'd get great feedback from you. But just to clarify, I'll be attending the MASTERS of architecture program (the core track at UF). I already have an undergraduate degree in music, so I wanted to get a graduate degree.

[mbr]

Gotcha. Almost the same thing, at least to start.

 

At UF it was called the CORE program. You started out at the same level as undergrad, but worked more quickly on the architectural aspects of the curriculum. It will be a similar education as undergrad - you should have exposure to the same professors. This is probably how it is at most schools. At UCLA, we had others that had little to none experience and we all worked together just fine.

 

You'll learn a ton from just walking around the studios there. That's one HUGE benefit to goint to a school with an undergrad program - you'll have exposure to so many designs! There is no better teacher than your classmates, as just about every professor will tell you. UCLA had no undergrad, so it was just us.

 

UF also loves their gallery and they archive everything. They always have different students/years on display and do a really fine job of it. It's crucial that you walk through there at least once a week.

 

The UF building is great for arch, too. Lots of outdoor spaces, stairs, balconies, etc. Just really nice. Most schools put you in a generic box and forget that you need ventilation to use spray mount!!

 

I strongly believe that most of us that graduated did not need to go to grad school (not that we wouldn't have, though). It was simply because we needed a professional degree and UF is only 4 years (5 year undergrad is a 1st pro degree).

 

Again, I can't recommend it enough. I know nothing of Syracuse's grad program, though, but if it's not that well known, I'd think twice (rankings mean NOTHING though, esp. for grad schools).

 

If you can't tell, I miss it.

 

Oh, and if you do go, you absolutely MUST do their Vicenza, Italy program. Doesn't matter how much you have to borrow, just do it!! That was one of the most memorable experiences of my life, to say the least.

 

Look over archinect, though, there have been discussions about the UF grad program.

[schmoron13]

MBR, you're a godsend. I'm reading through the archinect threads at the moment....informative once you get through the "mac vs pc"esque ERRR "my shcool rocks your's sucks" garbage. Where ever I end up, I'm definitely doing at least one abroad studies. I think they're key to learning. and having family in europe doesn't hurt either.

[anatomical gift]

I find it interesting how much people from UF talk up their school. And every time I hear it, they mention how so many turned down ivy league graduate schools as though they look down upon them. Why is that? Why do they feel they need to qualify themselves like that? I'm interested becuase it seems to be a trend.

[kid]

archinect=informative ??? ha ha. it must have changed a lot since my last visit.

 

mbr, your studio life sounds just like ours.

 

like now, it's 4:15am and i'm just checking my mail while my cuppa-soup heats up, then i'll roll up my jumper for a pillow and grap a few hours sleep on the floor.

 

good night. heh heh

[mbr]

Kid - yup, we used card board boxes sometimes, but would try to snag the discarded couches at random apartments - they looked bad, but after a few nights in the studio, they look warm and cozy!

 

Stewart - it's not at matter of qualifying ourselves, but simply a measure of gained skill. It's a state school, and one known mostly for football, so I think it's important that people have some way of quantifying the skills gained there. Where you get accepted to grad school is a direct reflection of the school you went to for undergrad.

That, and I think it's an accomplishment, and one that could not be done without the support of faculty and fellow students.

 

Does that make sense? Most of us came in there with fairly low and naive expectations. We worked hard and learned. I think those that go to an undergrad program like Cornell assume that they will continue to Ivy for grad school, too.

 

It's important to try to get an idea of what you'll gain by going to a particular school.

[schmoron13]

quick question:

 

would you say that where you graduate from influences/hinders where you'll do your work. For example, my sister just graduated from a prestigious institution for her master's in International Affiars in DC because she wwants to deal in the atlantic sector and thus the good schools are over there. Conversely, my twin is at the Univ of San Franicso because he wants to stay in northern california (the bay area) and though USF doesn't rank very high nationally, locally it's looked upon much higher. Thus, I'n short, I'm wondering if a degree's location will limit where I can find immidiate work upon graduation? does that make sense?

 

also, mbr, was UF mainly geared towards wood based designs or where they pro-computers? sounds silly, but I know a professor at Cal, and he's hinted repeatedly how absurd it is that Cal frowns upon technology. I even went to a seminar which turned into a bunch of academics whining about how technology (in their eyes, acad) has turned architecture in to nothing more than assembly lines.

[anatomical gift]

Agreed. I just feel that it sounds more like insecure boasting than obejective description.

[mbr]

Well, when I graduated, we were just starting Form-Z and autocad, but the year after me was required to have computers. I doubt they will be on par with Columbia and UCLA, but I am sure it's good. Could be wrong, though. Many of the professors are Columbia grads (or they were, but I know for sure some are still there), so they computers may be used more than other places. It's something to ask. Ask where they profs came from, that'll tell a lot.

 

They are known for the models, though, and I think that's a skill that every architect should learn. It teaches you about materiality, construction (if it's hard to build in basswood, you can bet it will be tricky to build in reality!), and most importantly, about space. You simply can't get that from computers (although they are essentail).

Will it pigeon hole you into something you don't want? I don't think so, UF teaches more of the core fundamentals, the real foundation to design. UCLA and the more well known schools teach more trendy things with the celebrity faculty. I wanted that exposure, but only after I knew what I wanted. Without the fundamentals, the trendy stuff (like decon, blobs, etc.) will wear thin after a short while.

[schmoron13]

I wanted to thank everyone for all the input they've provided. I just sent my acceptance to...(drumroll)...: SUNY-BUFFALO.

 

At the end of the day, I loved the program, was friendly with some of the professors (family friend used to teach there), and overall, just had a good sense about the place.

 

So this fall, I'll be a Bull.

[Josh1587140445]

I do not know if you plan on becoming a registered architect or not. But if you are, make sure the program is accredited by NCARB. Because typically a school does not have an accredited Bachlors and Masters program.

 

Also, I do not know if you want to go to the University of Buffalo unless you plan on living in Buffalo. From what I have heard, it is hard to find a job outside of Buffalo with a degree from there.