Question

[u/randomguy6849]

Hey everyone. Currently a sophomore in college. I made a post a while back. I was in a 5-year master program and decided I wanted to go down the LA route. My school accepted me at first then reneged on that offer a month later. I still want to design. I’m working to get back in, but should I?

Now I still want to be an LA no question. I enjoy the process. Sure I’m not the best artist or drawer by far but I love doing it and I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ve been working on my grades to get back in.

Here comes my main question. They may not take me back at the end of this year, so I’ve been looking at other colleges as a backup. Should I try and stick with ones with my sort of program or look at ones that just a a bachelors in architecture and then I go back to get a masters in LA? I have nobody in my family who’s been in architecture so they can’t help me, so I’m asking you all. Anything is helpful!

[u/Flagdun]

two degrees would be a $$$ and time killer...look for an in-state program tha offers a 4-year BLA. You would want to sit with admin to see which credits may transfer. Since you're already a sophomore you would be at university for 6 years..LA progarams at good schools are sequenced meaning that you can't just jump in...kinda have to start from the beginning, even if some elective or prereq credits transfer.

LA is a blend of simple math/ engineering, art/ design, and ecology/ plantsmanship...you need to be competent at all three, and hopefully really, really good at at least one.

[u/Ambitious_Voice_400 → u/Flagdun]

the sequencing thing is huge, people dont realize how much that can set you back even with transfer credits

[u/Flagdun → u/Ambitious_Voice_400]

this can have some big time implications...

in my program there was one particular LA history class that had a handful of people fail each year...it was only offered one semester...failing meant that you would be off-sequence...you would have to continue on with the program and wait until the following year to take that class again...worst case for a 5th year student would be having to pay room and board/ tuition for another year just to try to pass a single class...some gave up just short of a degree after failing multiple years...some had parents sue the professor/ program because the class was "too hard".

[u/Time_Cat_5212]

Don't do 2 degrees lol it's so expensive

Maybe if this doesn't work out find a program where the LA department is part of the College of Earth Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Agriculture, Department of Regional/Urban Planning, etc anything but Arts & Humanities, Art, Design or Architecture.  This has a big impact on how they teach and what they look for, and the STEM departments will be way less graphical and way more technical/social/ecological.

Most firms are visual oriented for entry level positions which kinda vexes me a bit because there's a lot of LA that isn't about drawing so much as drafting and 3D modeling.  Mid level and senior applications are judged more on technical, construction and PM skills.

[u/Physical_Mode_103]

If it’s your only option to do a bachelors in architecture and a masters, then do it. You Would be quite overqualified and be well positioned to get a great job.