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Could someone please give me some advice for my college major decision?
If I want to go into sustainable architecture, would it be better to get a B.S. in Arch now and then pursue a M. arch in the future with a focus on environmental design or the other way around (get a B.S. with a double major in environmental studies and studio arts & theory - a liberal arts major- now, then apply for graduate school to get a M. Arch) ? Also, my university, UM- Ann Arbor, does not offer a professional B. Arch Degree. It only offers a pre-professional B.S. arch degree...after which I would need to go to grad school for 2.5-3 yrs. to get a M Arch professional degree...so both ways would probably take about the same amount of time. If anyone out there is in the field of "green" architecture, do you have any advice as to how I could best build up a solid knowledge base to go into this field? Also, is it a bad idea to have two interdisciplinary majors?? I see some people here say that these majors are for people who are lazy or unfocused and that they have many "easy" classes...but I see different subjects to be interlinked and not strictly specialized, and I am definitely not a lazy person. I am a honors sophomore with a 4.0 even after taking all the most failed courses at UM in math, physics, and economics. I have also worked hard for my sustainability/ beautification student forum to put environmental solutions in action and have designed several murals for UM buildings...I chose my majors and put a lot of work into my extracurriculars, because I love what I do, not because I am some unfocused student going to college just for the sake of going to college...But I am afraid that just because I have this label as someone with an arty interdisciplinary major, employers will see me as a lazy, unfocused person...and maybe it would be better to just go for the very specialized course in architecture now instead of leaving that for grad school? Kitten UM has an undergrad Architecture school that is ranked 6th in the nation by US News and Report and a grad Arch program that is ranked in the top 10.I do not consider it a waste of money. My concern is not primarily the time, because even if I get a professional B Arch now, I am still going to get an M.S. in environmental design...I'm trying to decide whether majoring in something else now will give me a better, more diverse knowledge base for architecture rather than learning technical skills right away. I want to make a real impact on the world. I considered transferring to Cornell, but I believe UM gives a better preparation for arch as a form of engineering. Cornell is a bit more arty, which is VERY appealing to me, but I feel I should learn more engineering too. Finally, I plan on applying to grad programs at Harvard, Yale, Columbia, UM, etc. I did research and a lot of the programs I liked are tough to get into so I want to make sure that Interdisciplinary is a good choice.
Public Comments
- Okay, firstly, in my opinion it is a waste of money to go to a college without an accredited professional Architecture program. Ann Arbor's program is going to have you in school for a min of 6/7yrs before you will be able to be considered as an AIA Assoc even, meanwhile your counterparts who attended an accredited program will have graduated from a 5yr MArch program as AIA Assoc and able to sit for thier AIA registration exam in 2 years. You will only be elgible for the exam and considered a bonafide Architect 3/5yrs after them due to having to have completed your masters program first and then gain the work experience so it is not the same amount of time. You will be paying to go to school longer if you attend an unaccredited program. Also, there is the job situation. You will be competing for a job from graduates from accredited programs. And trust me when it comes to salary... you want to negotiate having gone to a program that's respected and accredited or your salary will suffer. Also, the longer you must languish without your AIA registration your salary will not increase significantly at all. Another reason an accredited program is important is being able to pass the AIA exam. It is a seven part test with questions on mechanical systems to design; its hard to pass even for those from accredited programs those from unaccred programs not only can't take the test w/out add'l classes, but also have to amass the work experience, by the time you do take the exam.... you'll probably have to take some refresher classes just to remember the material. Now, if you want to practice sustainable Arc I suggest you get that M Arc from an accredited university in 5 years, and get LEEDs certified for sustainable construction and design. Now, I just noticed that you are already enrolled in Ann Arbor so your best scenario would be to transfer to an accredited program. Trust me it will save you a ton of time and money. Your grades are great so it shouldn't be a problem... if this is truly what you want to do invest in a decent program. Just my 2 cents! In response: These schools are ranked high for pre-professional programs. You may not think its a waste of money now, but you will when you actually enter the professional world. You are still young, hon. Life is long to you... I'm older. I know that life is actually quite short; when you make the wrong decisions. I know you have lofty dreams, but you need the proper credentials to make the impact you seek. Get it at an accredited program. If you are deep in sustainabliity transfer to Harvard. They have the best environmental programs in Arch. Also, nothing will give you a better foundation in Architecture than an accredited degree in ..... Architecture. Good luck.
