Are you the type of person who marvels at new buildings? Do you consider yourself artistic, and someone who works well in environments that allow you the freedom of self-expression? Are you curious, investigative and thrive when you have free time to be alone in your thoughts? Have you found yourself absorbed in museums or cities as you travel? Do you excel in STEM courses and have an eye for design and new trends? If your answer is yes, you may be destined for a career in architecture. But, how do you become an architect? Let’s talk about the undergraduate admissions process for this incredibly creative, yet very technical major!
Undergraduate architecture programs are among some of the most competitive to apply to. It is also one of the most difficult majors at universities, and the average student studies approximately 22 hours a week! Architecture degrees typically take five years to complete, and while the most popular degree is general architecture, there are a number of specializations or more focused architecture degrees to choose from, including landscape, residential, commercial, interior design, environmental/ green design, urban and industrial.
Over the past decade, there has been a 7% growth forecast in architecture careers, but it is expected to shift to 3% growth through 2031. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are approximately 9,100 job opportunities each year for licensed architects, and there is a particularly high demand for green and sustainable architects.
There are three requirements for becoming a licensed architect:
- University degree- recommend those accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), and qualify for state licensure. Four-year degrees are often viewed as pre-professional degrees in this field. If you choose this path, you will also need a Masters in Architecture. If you choose a 5 year bachelors program, it should be sufficient for licensure.
- Complete Internships
- Pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE)
Admission to these programs are competitive, but there are steps you can take to ensure that you prepare yourself to be a top applicant. In terms of courses, take advanced courses whether they be honors, AP or IB courses. You should have a solid STEM background, with particular attention to physics, trigonometry and calculus. Focus on developing strong writing skills, take foreign language classes, and most importantly, be sure to take studio art courses (including drawing and 3D design). Recommended extracurricular clubs and activities include speech and debate, art clubs, robotics club and any activities that get you connected to spaces that people inhabit. Work with museums, get a summer job in construction or with an architecture firm, find a mentor, and ask questions. Seek out student resources from professional organizations such as the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Portfolios also play a significant part in many admissions pools. Admissions officers are looking for students who demonstrate potential for dynamic, projective and conceptual thinking. Architects are able to imagine things that do not already exist in the world we live in. Through developing a unique portfolio, you can show your abilities in this capacity. To build a portfolio, there are a number of things you can do: draw often, plan projects, build things. If this feels overwhelming, start small: build a lamp, a table, or build a storage solution. Once you do, photograph them, photograph the progress, the final product, and catalog all relevant details.
While all of this may seem overwhelming, know that if this is the career you want, there is a path to get there!
Now that you have the basics of applying, it’s time to think about where you’re going to apply. Notable architecture programs can be found at schools such as Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Princeton University, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, University of Southern California, North Carolina State University, Drexel University, Texas A & M, Cal Poly SLO, University of California Berkeley, Syracuse University, Virginia Tech University, Notre Dame, Northeastern University, Rice University, MIT, Cooper Union, University of California Los Angeles, Carnegie Mellon University , University of Texas Austin, Washington University in St. Louis, and Tulane University.
There are also 33 National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)-accredited programs at 28 schools who participate in the NCARB’s Integrated Pathway to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) initiative. This pathway allows motivated students to complete the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) concurrently.
We are here to support your journey, and are ready to assist you in achieving your goal of becoming an architecture major. This is not a major you start to prepare for in senior year, rather, it is best to begin your portfolio, academic and extracurricular planning early in high school so that you have enough time to develop a strong body of work.
