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mikeyos
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Posted: Tue Nov 11th, 2008 10:58 pm |
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i want to be an architect and i want to know how is the grooooling 7 years of eduction at uni and is it worth the years. another thing does it matter to get into a top uni or is it okay to go into an alright uni and get a good paid job in a firm????
give me your experienceses try to give positive feedback since i started reading the comments on this forum they were all negitive come on people tell me what you love about architecture.
thank u
Last edited on Tue Nov 11th, 2008 11:14 pm by mikeyos
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dottie
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 01:22 am |
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This seems like an honest question, so therefore deserves an honest answer. Despite all the grumbling and groaning and griping, I love my career choice. I can't imagine doing anything else. I truly have a passion for design and buildings. If you can get through the hard work and dedication of the first 2 years of Architect School, then you know you are where you belong.
I knew I would be an Architect when I was 14 yrs. old. Took one of those aptitude tests and said I should be an Architect. Upon graduating HS, I worked construction and bar-tended. Had a blast, but I knew, deep inside that I needed to get my butt to school. Started college in a State university majoring in Engineering when I was 24. Lord, what was I thinking. Almost flunked out, then the last quarter I got a C, a D, another C and an A! Yes, the A was in my first intro class to Architecture. Started the next year majoring in Architecture, after talking the admission folks to let me stay, I got straight A's my entire freshman year. I was exactly where I belonged. I graduated at the age of 31.
The first year we had 250 students, the professors said, "look to the guy on your right, look to the guy on your left, you will not be graduating with those people". Gulp, what did I get into?! Late nights, no social life, pushing at deadlines all the time. They only accepted 60 students into second year, we had to submit transcripts and portfolios to apply for second year. Only the best make it even into 2nd year. Dedication and hard work. I have seen high school kids work in our office in the summers as gophers and they want to be architects. You can always tell who will even make it through the first year of architect school. There is something about us architect types, we have it tattooed on our souls.
This profession can be so frustrating, brain frying, challenging, sleepless, pain in the butt, stressful, and yet at the end of the day, so rewarding. Passion is the most descriptive word that I can think of for those of us who succeed in this profession.
Be sure to look for an accredited school. I went to Montana State University, great college.
Good luck with all of your endeavors and aspirations!
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slhill
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 03:06 am |
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Like Dottie, I too have wanted to be an architect since I was young. But as the years have passed, my reasons for wanting to be and stay in this profession have changed. Yet it is a perfect fit for me. I am not very design oriented and struggled through the architecture program (took me 3 years to earn an 'A' in studio). I am more technically oriented and flourish on the detail and computer manipulation side of the field. The amazing thing is there is room in this field for both sides.
As for schools - yes, find one that's accredited (i.e. 5 year program). I ended up in a 4-year program (BA in Arch vs 5-year BArch). I initially figured I would do my master's, so was thinking 4+2 vs 5+1 was irrelevant. But I didn't realize the 5-year programs were "professional" degrees vs the 4+2 requiring the 2-year master's for a "professional" degree. After 4 years, I was done - if I'd been in a 5-year program, I would've pushed on, but I didn't have the energy to apply for master's programs through my senior year in addition to trying to finish one degree.
Luckily I live in a state where I could work more to make up the difference in degrees, so I am able to get licensed in CO, but unless I get my master's and NCARB certification, I am limited in the other states I could get licensed. That's not a problem now, but you never know what the future holds.
One last note: I will second that it has to be a passion - if you are looking into architecture for money, go somewhere else because it's not here. But if you want to help others and design buildings (they are not always glamorous or beautiful), then go for it!
Good luck and may we see you checking out the AREForum in a few years as you take your exams!
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mfquevedok
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 12:00 pm |
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| To get license doesn't mean you'll become an architect because you already are. I know a lot of great architects without it, and vice-versa. In my concern, I pretend it just for business, in order to earn more money. Good luck
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RK
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 04:21 pm |
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Well, that was an interesting post. 
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error404
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 04:42 pm |
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There is a lot of negativity in this forum... But don't let it scare you from the profession.
However, I do believe that you must want it, because the journey is long and hard.
dottie wrote:
The first year we had 250 students, the professors said, "look to the guy on your right, look to the guy on your left, you will not be graduating with those people". Gulp, what did I get into?! Late nights, no social life, pushing at deadlines all the time. They only accepted 60 students into second year, we had to submit transcripts and portfolios to apply for second year. Only the best make it even into 2nd year.
I had the same exact "speech" how original.... and if I should add, nobody explained us about the 2 year mark. They only said that we needed to submit a portfolio to be admitted to the 5 year program.
What they forgot to tell us until the end of our second year was that there were only "50 chairs" in the 5 year program and that we were +200  . They also forgot to say that you must have all your classes in order and a good GPA
I was so scare!!! but it turned out that I was one of the lucky 25 that got accepted (25 others got accepted "with conditions")
Don't let your guard down, many people dropped a class or two because the schedule was very hard... those never made it.
I'm not gonna lie to you, if you want to party at college... Architecture won't work.
dottie wrote: Late nights, no social life, pushing at deadlines all the time.
x2
The only time I ever had time to party, was the semester that I studied abroad... I intentionally took classes the summer before so I could free up my schedule... I end up taking abroad only: photography, sketching, and studio.
I went out almost every night until 3-5am and then I would sleep during class.... best time of my life!! I pretty much condensate what I though college should be in one crazy semester 
Finally make sure your program is NCARB accredited
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slhill
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 04:46 pm |
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error404 wrote: Finally make sure your program is NCARB accredited
Minor correction - NCARB doesn't accredit. It's NAAB (National Architecture Accrediting Board).
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Coach
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 05:35 pm |
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error404 wrote: There is a lot of negativity in this forum... But don't let it scare you from the profession.
Don't confuse the expression of reality with negativity.
Honestly, most architecture students should be scared off.
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Alright
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 06:16 pm |
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Mikeyos,
Ask yourself if you want to work in a profession with zero reward.
That should give you your answer.
- Alright
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Vladdy
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 07:10 pm |
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Mikeyos,
To answer this question, it could take a short book but I am going to answer it as simple as possible:
It is a very hard profession BUT most professions are
The amount of education is well worth it. I enjoyed school very much
You do not have to get into a top notch school. You only need to work hard.
It depends on what you define as good paying job. I live comfortable, get paid well and enjoy being an architect. Could I make more money someplace else. Definitely. But do I want to go to work everyday to just crunch numbers so someone else makes money. Or do I want to go to work and try and trade stocks to make money. Is that something I can touch? Or what about, I could of gotten a marketing degree and came up with idea of how to sell a product. OR I could of gotten an MBA and learned how to run a business. The problem is, maybe the business is I run is a plant that makes plastic cups. How boring is that?
I get to go to work and when my project it done, it changed the skyline of a major city. THAT seams exciting to me. That is something I can see. That is something that I can show my children on what I did. Everyday a problem needs to be solved. How does a corner terminate into an existing wall? Should we add a "Chamfer" to create drama. etc... I like to be challenged. I like solving problems, creatively and also systematically.
If you really enjoy architecture, then you will succeed, make good money and have an interesting job. If you do not like architecture that much, then it will not enjoy architecture and you will only see the negative side to the job. But I promise you this, every job has a negative side.
Good luck with you decision. For me, I am very glad I chose this profession. Now I am going to have lunch with Howard Roak.
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the prisoner
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 07:34 pm |
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i was hooked the 1st day of studio, and now after school, framing houses and 5+ years of working in a firm, i actually love what i do, despite the occasional ungrateful, slow paying client, the lengthy specs for public jobs, or the near sighted forces of the inspections dept that keep us from doing what we feel is best.
i love 3 main things about arch. the 1st is being able to earn a living designing stuff, no matter what it is. the 2nd is actually seeing something under construction that used to be in my head. the 3rd is going thru the process w/ mom-n-pop clients, seeing their faces light up when things turn out well (sappy, but true). i wish my pleasures and goals were more globally altruistic, but they're not. i love designing and i like getting christmas cards from clients we haven't pissed off.
i agree w/ vladdy that the $ is a relative thing. i have a decent life, my office environment is cool, and i have some flexibility to do family stuff. how much $ is it worth to have beer, xm radio and a guitar at your disposal during the day? granted, that's not arch per say, but it's an example of someone being happy in an otherwise demanding, frustrating, under appreciated and sissifusian profession.
definitely go talk to students, professors, and practicing archs at sm-med-lg firms to get a feel for the profession. i think you'll find that many of the miserable ones are simply out of place, the same way you'd feel working at a bank, unless it's a really cool bank w/ beer and guitars.
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RK
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 07:35 pm |
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Alright wrote: Mikeyos,
Ask yourself if you want to work in a profession with zero reward.
That should give you your answer.
- Alright
Man, you need to find another career. ZERO??? Financially it pays well if that is what you are eluding to. The national household (2 person) average in America is about $42,000. Most individuals in architecture make more than this.
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the prisoner
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 07:37 pm |
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Coach wrote:Honestly, most architecture students should be scared off.
despite my recent glowing post, i also agree w/ coach.
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skyhook
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 08:42 pm |
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RK wrote: Alright wrote: Mikeyos,
Ask yourself if you want to work in a profession with zero reward.
That should give you your answer.
- Alright
Man, you need to find another career. ZERO??? Financially it pays well if that is what you are eluding to. The national household (2 person) average in America is about $42,000. Most individuals in architecture make more than this.
Architecture is not immune to the same pitfalls of other careers, where someone scales the walls of education and experience only to be left wanting more. This is a human circumstance that is no respecter of any particular profession.
When you find your passion, you would do it for free. My opinion.
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gleearch
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Posted: Wed Nov 12th, 2008 08:51 pm |
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You already have a lot of good answers here.
Pick a good school. I'm not saying Ivy League etc, unless you have the grades and the money for it. then why not?
Make sure it's accredited.
Take a trip to the school and check it out. Sometimes you might like the environment and vice versa. You are going to spend a lot of years there, so you may as well go somewhere you want to. Always have a back up college.
I think all colleges do the "look left and right" spiel. It's meant to scare off the slackers. If you don't like working hard, this will be the wrong major/ profession for you.
Remember to take the course," Moaning, groaning and general complaining 101". It's required for all architects.
You are not going to make a lot of money in this profession. Now when people say that, it usually based on comparison with other professions. You might end up in a firm that pays you the equivalent of a grade school teacher's starting salary or you might end up in one that compensates fairly well.
You may starve or you may live comfortably. If you are talented, have good business acumen and great connections, you may even be fairly well off. There are some fairly rich or well off architects out there. I'm not one of them but I see them parking their nice shiny cars next to mine on occasion. 
Like some others here, I wanted to be an architect from an early age. I have enjoyed every single minute of the journey and I hope I am fortunate enough to enjoy the journey moving forward.
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Alright
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Posted: Thu Nov 13th, 2008 03:54 am |
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RK wrote: Alright wrote: Mikeyos,
Ask yourself if you want to work in a profession with zero reward.
That should give you your answer.
- Alright
Man, you need to find another career. ZERO??? Financially it pays well if that is what you are eluding to. The national household (2 person) average in America is about $42,000. Most individuals in architecture make more than this.
Primarilly, I wasn't alluding to the money. But lol (AT) you for citing money as a 'positive'.
I don't mind that we don't make wads of cash. I'm pretty low maintenance, and we do make "more than the average idiot". But for the amount we earn, we work way too hard, too inefficiently, and too stupidly.
I could go teach Math, make only slightly less, have ridiculous job-security, get summers off, and actually feel some sort of non-monetary reward, which would be really nice for a change.
My little sister made mention a few years back about possibly going into architecture and I almost beat her up.*
*We actually did fight, but I didn't win...I almost beat her up.
- Alright
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Gdrinkh2o
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Posted: Thu Nov 13th, 2008 02:09 pm |
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I think what it boils down to is this...if you loved to draw, build, and design as a young kid, then architecture is probably for you.
Personally I was always playing with tinker toys, legos, etc. and I had a binder full of misc. drawings. I had my own tool set when I was 10 years old. That desire should be able to bring you through any challenging moments.
If you haven't been sure what you wanted to do and think that architecture is something that you could be into.....its probably not for you.
Many people on here make things sound scarier than they are. I can only speak from personal experience but the ARE was not nearly as hard as people made it out. You just need to dedicate yourself to studying hard. The salary can be good, you just have to work to put yourself in the right position. All nighters in college? I had one or two in five years of design. I planned ahead and saved the all nighters for the bars.
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swedishduck
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Posted: Thu Nov 13th, 2008 02:39 pm |
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Alright wroteBut for the amount we earn, we work way too hard, too inefficiently, and too stupidly.
- Alright
That sounds like a personal problem.
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the prisoner
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Posted: Thu Nov 13th, 2008 02:46 pm |
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mikeyos wrote: i want to be an architect and i want to know how is the grooooling 7 years of eduction at uni and is it worth the years.
if you're worried about the 7 years, it doesn't have to be all arch. i had the same drawing/painting/building stuff childhood as many on the forum, but i didn't decide on arch until my senior year of college. so i finished out my physics degree and then went to grad school for 3 years. i'm glad it worked out that way b/c i was able to do more things and didn't get so burned out in the long run. schedule-wise, there was more time for other art studios like photography, ceramics, or whatever. it's not for everyone, but it's an option if you're a dork w/ multiple interests.
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RK
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Posted: Thu Nov 13th, 2008 04:28 pm |
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the prisoner wrote: mikeyos wrote: i want to be an architect and i want to know how is the grooooling 7 years of eduction at uni and is it worth the years.
if you're worried about the 7 years, it doesn't have to be all arch. i had the same drawing/painting/building stuff childhood as many on the forum, but i didn't decide on arch until my senior year of college. so i finished out my physics degree and then went to grad school for 3 years. i'm glad it worked out that way b/c i was able to do more things and didn't get so burned out in the long run. schedule-wise, there was more time for other art studios like photography, ceramics, or whatever. it's not for everyone, but it's an option if you're a dork w/ multiple interests.
There is also a 4+2 program out there. 4 year pre-prof degree in architecture and a 2 year graduate program. Thus eliminating the extra year. You can also, in several states, just opt for the 4 year pre-prof degree and intern twice as long to be licensed. Of course only about 15 states will let you practice architecture with this degree.
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slhill
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Posted: Thu Nov 13th, 2008 05:16 pm |
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RK wrote: There is also a 4+2 program out there. 4 year pre-prof degree in architecture and a 2 year graduate program. Thus eliminating the extra year. You can also, in several states, just opt for the 4 year pre-prof degree and intern twice as long to be licensed. Of course only about 15 states will let you practice architecture with this degree.
If I had realized the difference between the 5+1 (prof. degree + masters) vs 4+2 (pre-prof. degree + prof. masters), I would've done the 5 years and said "heck with the masters" - which is pretty much what I have done except that I am limited in where I get licensed. I would not recommend that path to anyone.
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RK
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Posted: Thu Nov 13th, 2008 05:30 pm |
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slhill wrote: RK wrote: There is also a 4+2 program out there. 4 year pre-prof degree in architecture and a 2 year graduate program. Thus eliminating the extra year. You can also, in several states, just opt for the 4 year pre-prof degree and intern twice as long to be licensed. Of course only about 15 states will let you practice architecture with this degree.
If I had realized the difference between the 5+1 (prof. degree + masters) vs 4+2 (pre-prof. degree + prof. masters), I would've done the 5 years and said "heck with the masters" - which is pretty much what I have done except that I am limited in where I get licensed. I would not recommend that path to anyone.
Life is all about options and understanding limitations. Unfortunatly, I ended up with more limitations as well. In hindsight I would also have taken a much harder road to find a 5 year degree program but when life hands you lemons, make lemon juice and get over it. NCARB has assured me that with this 4 year pre-prof degree and the broadly experianced architect program that with their certification I can be licensed in about 20 states, roughly. It is going to cost upwards of $2,000 and over a year to get it but one more option.
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Vladdy
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Posted: Thu Nov 13th, 2008 05:51 pm |
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RK wrote: slhill wrote: RK wrote: There is also a 4+2 program out there. 4 year pre-prof degree in architecture and a 2 year graduate program. Thus eliminating the extra year. You can also, in several states, just opt for the 4 year pre-prof degree and intern twice as long to be licensed. Of course only about 15 states will let you practice architecture with this degree.
If I had realized the difference between the 5+1 (prof. degree + masters) vs 4+2 (pre-prof. degree + prof. masters), I would've done the 5 years and said "heck with the masters" - which is pretty much what I have done except that I am limited in where I get licensed. I would not recommend that path to anyone.
Life is all about options and understanding limitations. Unfortunatly, I ended up with more limitations as well. In hindsight I would also have taken a much harder road to find a 5 year degree program but when life hands you lemons, make lemon juice and get over it. NCARB has assured me that with this 4 year pre-prof degree and the broadly experianced architect program that with their certification I can be licensed in about 20 states, roughly. It is going to cost upwards of $2,000 and over a year to get it but one more option.
Another way to look at the options is that the 4+2 is perfect for a person who is not sure if she/he wants to go into architecture. Your Pre-Prof of 4 years, you are able to take many arch. classes AND take other classes that might interest you. IF, after graduating undergrad, you still like architecture, you can apply to a Master's program. OR you can go to work for a few years, get your feet wet in the real world and then go back to get your Master's degree. If by chance, you do not like architecture, you still can change your major in undergrad and get out of school in a reasonable time since you were also taking core classes.
Personally, I did the 4+2 and recommend it to everyone. I went to a major univ. and took architectural classes along with other classes that interests me. I worked for 3 years, saved some money, have fun, saw what the real world was about. After that, I decided that I still wanted to be an architect and went and got my Master's degree. The work I did before my master's went toward IDP so I finished school and was able to start taking the ARE in about a year.
And lastly, I am pretty sure most schools are moving toward a 4+2 degree. So if you do decide to do a 5 year professional degree, the amount of schools that are available are a lot less.
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NewSchool
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| Joined: | Thu Jul 21st, 2005 |
| Location: | Architect, Nebraska USA |
| Posts: | 320 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Thu Nov 13th, 2008 06:37 pm |
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Take a deep breath and enjoy the journey. It's a very long road.
I started out with 300 students, 4 + 2 years later, one of 21 graduates.
Architecture is not for those who want to get rich but if that is your goal, then I suggest the 4 + 2 with NCARB certification so that you can easily work in all 50 states (reciprocity). I believe the architects making big money are those who have found a niche, (designing assisted-living units for example) wrote a book about it, got some good publicity, etc. Otherwise, the national average is $73,560.
If you can function with only six hours of sleep every night, you might be an architect.
I would never encourage my daughter to marry an architect unless she enjoys being home alone most of the time while her husband is redesigning a project for the 5th or 6th or 7th time. Designing requires a lot of patience... dealing with an indecisive client.
Keep in mind that the old grey-bearded architects will tell you that you are too young and inexperienced to start working independently. Just smile and remind yourself that they will continue to say things like that until rigormortise settles into their bodies.
Last edited on Thu Nov 13th, 2008 08:18 pm by NewSchool
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mikeyos
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| Joined: | Tue Nov 11th, 2008 |
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Posted: Thu Nov 13th, 2008 11:47 pm |
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newschool wrote
I started out with 300 students, 4 + 2 years later, one of 21 graduates.
i cant believe this all these students laid of, i cant image what they are doing now. anyways thanx for the comments i just want to say i was a creative person since i was young and over time work i always did in my art class and graphics. and i would imagin uni to be even harder i love to have the experiece of designing a build to benfit everyone but i hate to see some one who has donne 7 years of studing to get average pay. i sure hope i dont get that kind of luck well you can only make ur own luck i guess.
Last edited on Thu Nov 13th, 2008 11:49 pm by mikeyos
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RK
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| Joined: | Mon Apr 19th, 2004 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 339 |
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Posted: Fri Nov 14th, 2008 03:46 pm |
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mikeyos wrote:
newschool wrote
I started out with 300 students, 4 + 2 years later, one of 21 graduates.
i cant believe this all these students laid of, i cant image what they are doing now. anyways thanx for the comments i just want to say i was a creative person since i was young and over time work i always did in my art class and graphics. and i would imagin uni to be even harder i love to have the experiece of designing a build to benfit everyone but i hate to see some one who has donne 7 years of studing to get average pay. i sure hope i dont get that kind of luck well you can only make ur own luck i guess.
They aren't. The 4 year program allows people to go into many other fields upon graduation as well as other graduate programs. They may have decided to get a masters in biology or something unrelated to architecture. So he may have started out with 300 in the undergrad program and graduated with 250. Then started his 2 year program with 30 and graduated with 21. He misled you into believing something untrue.
I started with about 90 and ended up with 68 graduating class for the 4 year program. I think the graduate shcool only accepted about 40 or 50 students but not everybody went that direction.
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mikeyos
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Posted: Fri Nov 14th, 2008 04:57 pm |
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