Architectural School

[CollegePanther]

I've had a hard time deciding on a major but architecture is something I've always wanted to go into. I'm deciding between UNCC and NC State's programs; both are good but I'm leaning towards Charlotte. My friends think I'm absolutely crazy because apparently architectural students get no free time and are always tied up. Has anyone on here been through architectural school? I don't have any friends or family who have so I'm just trying to get some opinions on if it's a career I'd really want to pursue. Preciate it!

[Brooklyn Bully]

I was not an architecture student, but worked for two years at UNCC's ARC (Architectural Resource Center) as a librarian. And you heard right, those kids got zero free time and worked day and night on projects. But hey, if it can get you a job in the end it may be worth it.

[davos]

I did the 5-year program at Virginia Tech and am going to grad school in Denver this fall for it.  Did the fraternity thing and had plenty of free time so it just depends.  It's totally worth it if you're committed.  You can't bs your way through it and honestly, a lot of people with degrees don't stay in the discipline after graduating.    

 

And UNCC's program has become a good one over the years.  That'd be a good choice.  

[Kettle]

I started community college in architecture and only finished a semester. It just wasnt me. I ended up as an engineer. Speaking of...there's a saying. Those who can't engineer, architectect. If you are good at math and science I would say choose civil engineering. I knew several of those at UNCC and they all ended up with good jobs.

[Jase]

They talk a big game about spending so much time in studio, but that's at least 40% sleeping and/or playing frisbee

[CollegePanther]

I did the 5-year program at Virginia Tech and am going to grad school in Denver this fall for it.  Did the fraternity thing and had plenty of free time so it just depends.  It's totally worth it if you're committed.  You can't bs your way through it and honestly, a lot of people with degrees don't stay in the discipline after graduating.    

 

And UNCC's program has become a good one over the years.  That'd be a good choice.  

Alright, good to hear. What do you mean stay in the discipline after graduating? And so you'll have 8 years total of school?

[Joscott]

I graduated from Virginia Tech in the 5 year Bachelor of Architecture program. Make sure you know going in what type of degree you are looking at, a 4 year degree means you'll never be more than a drafter unless you go to grad school. After graduation, you are looking anywhere from 3-5 years before you get your license after logging about 5,000+ hours and a series of 7 test. Don't let that scare you, just be aware.

 

Virginia Tech has a very strict program and the undergraduate program has been ranked in the top 5 for awhile and was even #1 when I went in. The time you spend in studio depends greatly on the type of person you are. If you are a procrastinator or think things over too much, you'll of course be in there longer. I can tell you, those with the best work didn't only stay in studio during class hours, but some of the bad ones didn't either. Probably about a 1/4 of the class I started with switched majors.

 

I graduated pretty high in my class and never had a traditional all-nighter. There were some nights where I didn't leave until 3 in the morning, but I never had a sleepless night. I also got plenty of drinking in so don't worry about that. Really coming in for a couple of hours on the weekend or staying a couple of hours after studio time will not ruin your social life. When other kids were cramming in their dorms for exams, I was in studio making buildings...it kind of evens out. You'll probably also meet some of your best friends in studio, we had plenty of great times staying late and working on projects, some great memories.

 

So I guess in short, don't worry too much about the time. If it's something you are really interested in, you should definitely do it. This is something you are going to be doing the rest of your life, so you'd better like doing it.

 

If you have anymore specific questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them. You can look at my website here for an idea of some of the work I did.

[CollegePanther]

They talk a big game about spending so much time in studio, but that's at least 40% sleeping and/or playing frisbee

Haha that's what I told my friend... isn't half the studio time just sleeping? lol

[davos]

Alright, good to hear. What do you mean stay in the discipline after graduating? And so you'll have 8 years total of school?

 

Yeah I will.  I'm going the TA route and have a connection with a firm so it should be a smooth transition.  

 

But as a whole a lot of kids that go to school for it simply don't end up sticking with it as a career.  

[CollegePanther]

I graduated from Virginia Tech in the 5 year Bachelor of Architecture program. Make sure you know going in what type of degree you are looking at, a 4 year degree means you'll never be more than a drafter unless you go to grad school. After graduation, you are looking anywhere from 3-5 years before you get your license after logging about 5,000+ hours and a series of 7 test. Don't let that scare you, just be aware.

 

Virginia Tech has a very strict program and the undergraduate program has been ranked in the top 5 for awhile and was even #1 when I went in. The time you spend in studio depends greatly on the type of person you are. If you are a procrastinator or think things over too much, you'll of course be in there longer. I can tell you, those with the best work didn't only stay in studio during class hours, but some of the bad ones didn't either. Probably about a 1/4 of the class I started with switched majors.

 

I graduated pretty high in my class and never had a traditional all-nighter. There were some nights where I didn't leave until 3 in the morning, but I never had a sleepless night. I also got plenty of drinking in so don't worry about that. Really coming in for a couple of hours on the weekend or staying a couple of hours after studio time will not ruin your social life. When other kids were cramming in their dorms for exams, I was in studio making buildings...it kind of evens out. You'll probably also meet some of your best friends in studio, we had plenty of great times staying late and working on projects, some great memories.

 

So I guess in short, don't worry too much about the time. If it's something you are really interested in, you should definitely do it. This is something you are going to be doing the rest of your life, so you'd better like doing it.

 

If you have anymore specific questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them. You can look at my website here for an idea of some of the work I did.

Awesome dude, I really appreciate all that. I guess my main concern is I just wanna have that normal college experience... drinking with friends and enjoying myself. But this is definitely the career I have the most interest in so I think I'll be happier in the long run. Are you glad you chose to pursue it?

[CollegePanther]

Yeah I will.  I'm going the TA route and have a connection with a firm so it should be a smooth transition.  

 

But as a whole a lot of kids that go to school for it simply don't end up sticking with it as a career.  

Oh alright I see, and that's kind of surprising considering the hell they had to go through to get there haha

[CollegePanther]

Also, what's the demand like in the Charlotte area right now... or down the road? Anyone know?

[Joscott]

Awesome dude, I really appreciate all that. I guess my main concern is I just wanna have that normal college experience... drinking with friends and enjoying myself. But this is definitely the career I have the most interest in so I think I'll be happier in the long run. Are you glad you chose to pursue it?

 

I had plenty of social time really. Studio was in 4 hour time blocks in the afternoon, usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday until 4th/5th year when it was every day. Other classes worked in around those. I actually went to community college first and knocked out a lot of my English/Science/Math classes then. I also worked part time my entire time there. So it's a balancing act but I still had plenty of time for friends. Like I said, my best friends were in studio and after we finished, we would just walk downtown and have a good time.

 

A lot of people don't go into architecture right away, but an architecture degree doesn't mean you have to go right to a architecture firm. There are a lot of alternate paths you can take with it. Chances are you'll take some really cool electives and be pretty handy in graphic design as well. Not sugar coating it, Architecture was the hardest industry hit when the economy crashed. Several months before I graduated (2012), architects had the highest unemployment rate in the country. No money, no buildings...at least not ones architects design. It took me from May to November to find a job even with a high skill level in the most widely used computer program. It took a lot of kids a lot longer, but most of them have jobs now.

 

Working in a firm and starting out is another learning experience. You have to put work in after you graduate to get your license and work towards better pay. Chances are you start out detailing and work your way up to designing, but thats how you learn. School wont teach you everything, and I learn something new every day.

 

I enjoy design and seeing a building go up that you had a part/design in is a pretty cool feeling. Chances are you'll end up designing something that will be around a long time after you are gone. I am currently testing and working towards my license, after that I may look around at other firms and eventually get into renovating/flipping houses as thats something I'm interested in. Like I said, you dont have to be stuck just at a architecture firm with that degree.

 

Plus everyone is always impressed when you say you are an architect.

[Joscott]

Also, what's the demand like in the Charlotte area right now... or down the road? Anyone know?

 

That's where I focused a lot in job searching. It was just a bad time and business has been picking back up. There are a lot of firms in the area and will be even more by the time you graduate. Raleigh is the same way. I ended up in Wilmington where there are only like 5 frims, but thats where the job was at.

 

The most important thing in the architecture industry is to make contacts early and often. It really is all about who you know. Those who had an inside connection had a lot better chance of landing a job even in a bad economy.

 

Also hunt down internships, they are vital. Companies like the experience and it gives you a chance to see what its like.

 

If you don't like it, there is no shame in switching majors, college is about finding out what you like to do.