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Architectural School


CollegePanther

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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.

Yeah, hopefully by the time I graduate the economy won't be an issue. But even if it is, graphic design has been my second choice... and like you said I could always go into that until I find something. And yeah I want to be successful in life and be proud of what I do... as an architect I would definitely feel accomplished. Studio actually looks like it'd be pretty fun from what I've seen, and as long as I have other people around me, I don't think I'd ever have any problem falling behind.  Also, why do you have to work toward a license  when you already have a degree, what can you do licensed that you couldn't do unlicensed? Sorry, I'm just still new to all this haha

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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!

 

I went to Clemson for a year while taking around 18 hours each semester. I was trying out the freshman architecture labs along with freshman/sophomore construction science.

 

I have a friend who is brilliant. He's doing his grad work at Yale. Clemson's program left him exhausted from the studio ALL the time. 

 

The good thing is that you will know very quickly whether you truly love it or not. Design programs at any 4 year school will put a ton of work on you. 

 

My major/career is web development. When we have joint classes with the designers the designers kick ass because their work ethic is so much better. 

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Also, why do you have to work toward a license  when you already have a degree, what can you do licensed that you couldn't do unlicensed?

 

Only licensed architects can sign drawings, making them official documents of construction. After you get your license, you could theoretically go to work for yourself and produce a signed set of drawings. Know someone who needs some plans for a new house or addition? No problem, you can do that on the side for good money. Of course once your name is on it, you are liable, so it helps working in a firm that has a level of quality control and a good lawyer/written contracts.

 

This is of course valuable for an architecture firm, as you can be assigned to take a project from beginning to end, netting you a nice bump in pay. You can still get the chance to design without a license, but working your way up the pay grade will be a little harder.

 

I work under a project architect. He manages the project and signs off on the drawings at the end. I do the drafting (plans, sections, elevations, etc.) that goes into the set. He's there to answer my questions and guide me through the process of the project. He makes a lot more than I do.

 

Many schools offer 4-year degree programs in architecture but it's usually a bachelor of design, or something worded like that. A 5 year program gets you a Bachelor of Architecture and is the minimum to get licensed. Many 5 year programs have a 4 year undergrad + 2 Year graduate to get a masters, however you dont need it at that point to get licensed. Many still go to grad school to continue their education and the more people you can learn from the more you get out of design. A Masters just wasnt right for me, unless my company wants to pay for it.

 

After you get a degree from a NCARB (testing agency for architecture registration) approved school, you register with them to begin testing.

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