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I just received a last minute acceptance to USC for Architecture. The letter from the Department claims it was one of the most competitive schools this year which gives it high ranks among the "unranked" architecture undergrad programs - Both the 4 + 2 and the 5+ 1 if you follow ARCH degrees. I'm not much of an academic scholar compared to some of the other applicants that wrote in, but full of good ideas and pre-college experience in the field. From D.C. (Parents aren’t worried about the cost) Dad is president of one of the top architecture firms on the east coast. Just wondering if anyone knew whether it was worth going to over Cornell, University of Cincinnati, UVA, or Georgia Tech. I like the idea of living in warmth. Help me make a decision please! May 1st is quickly approaching!

By Thedad (Thedad) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 09:46 am: Edit

As much as I dislike USC, their school of architecture is pretty good. As much as (for me) Cornell is in the boonies, it's school of architecture is pretty good. UVA...Georgia Tech...man, you have some great choices.

One thought: if you've lived all your life on the East Coast, this might be the opportunity to see what the Other Coast is like.

(I can't believe I'm nudging an innocent student towards sc. I'll probably have to clean my keyboard and do pennance.)

By Thedad (Thedad) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 09:47 am: Edit

One caution. You do realize that a high proportion of architecture students tend to develop an..........................................edifice complex.

By Cornellian07 (Cornellian07) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 10:44 am: Edit

Go to Cornell. Their architecture program is ranked top in the nation for undergrad. And also, Cornell just happens to be the coolest place ever.

By Rosarosaef (Rosarosaef) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 11:33 am: Edit

edifice complex. lol

By Scenicroute (Scenicroute) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 02:41 pm: Edit

what's wrong with USC? that's where I'm going. but hopefully for film.

By Thedad (Thedad) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 02:57 pm: Edit

Film is a good department at USC.

Part of my objections are nothing but rivalry smack...this is a firmly UCLA household, for a number of reasons, not the least being that that's where OKH (Oberkommando der Haushold) has worked for almost 25 years. But beyond that I find many of sc's undergrad academic programs to be suspect...I'd have to think of an East Coast example. But music and film are two of the good ones.

By Lovewriting (Lovewriting) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 02:57 pm: Edit

Cornell is in the Ivy League, USC is in the true ghetto.

Nuff said.

By Troy (Troy) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 08:46 pm: Edit

whoa...thedad telling someone to go to usc?...someone pinch me...also, is there a false ghetto?

By Thedad (Thedad) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 09:52 pm: Edit

Troy, I may be partisan but I also strive for fairness. Forgive me if *I* don't pinch you.

Btw, while sc's neighborhood is bad, there are worse in L.A. I guess I'm saying it's not *that* bad...though I wouldn't want to take a lot of after-dark strolls off campus or leave my car unlocked.

By Futurearchitect (Futurearchitect) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 09:05 pm: Edit

Thanks for the advice... once again there are no "undergraduate architecture school rankings" Cornell & Harvard are ranked top for their GRADUATE Design Schools. I heard Cornell and Syracuse - lost their key faculty in the programs, thats why I didn't bother applying to Syracuse, and I only applied to Cornell because it was an "IVY". I'll just have to wait till I vist USC next week, and get a better feel. Thanks again for your input

By Crackcorn (Crackcorn) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 10:01 pm: Edit

I know for a fact that the major architectural firms recruit aggressively from Cal Poly SLO - and hold Cal Poly SLO school of Architecture in just as high esteem as USC or Cornell! They like the fact that Cal Poly SLO students graduate ready for the workplace. When you interview for a job they want to see your portfolio and SLO students' portfolios are the best. You could have saved yourself a whole lot of money by applying to SLO and had just as good a job when you graduate.

By Rosarosaef (Rosarosaef) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 10:28 pm: Edit

i don't want to sound flippant, but haven't you considered asking the architects at your father's firm? i can understand your not wanting to ask dear-old-dad, but you must be acquainted with some of his business associates. surely, they know or know where to find out.

By Crackcorn (Crackcorn) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 11:57 pm: Edit

And while you're at it, ask your dad's opinion of Cal Poly SLO.

By Erin (Erin) on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 12:37 am: Edit

Cal Poly definitely does have an excellent reputation for turning out great architects, as does Arizona State University.

But that's not what your question was...I would say, go to USC.

By Futurearchitect (Futurearchitect) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 03:37 am: Edit

thanks, I just got back from USC, its a hard choice... I think i'm going to send in my deposit but I'm going to call Cornell & USC for last minute questions this week. My dad said he's got several architects that have come from San Luis Obisbo (sp) that work in the DC office as well as in his Santa Barbra branch... I missed the deadline on the application for SLO, but i'll find my niche at either Cornell of USC