Architecture Right for Me?

Edwards Finance > Architectural Engineering

Q. I am a freshman at Ohio State University and I was majoring in architecture but now I am in civil engineering. I've always wanted to design buildings but the architecture program here seems very art involved with a lot of freehand drawings. I would much rather work with CAD programs which isn't even taught here. I don't want to be a drafter because I want to come up with my own ideas. Is architecture right for me, or should I do civil or architectural engineering?

A. > I am a freshman at Ohio State University and I was majoring in architecture > but now I am in civil engineering. I've always wanted to design buildings > but the architecture program here seems very art involved with a lot of > freehand drawings. I would much rather work with CAD programs which isn't > even taught here. I don't want to be a drafter because I want to come up > with my own ideas. I'm a self employed drafter and I come up with my own ideas all the time. Anyone can be a drafter. Coming up with your own ideas will put you ahead of the pack. Is architecture right for me, or should I do civil or I have a degree in Civ. E., I didn't decide to be an architect until after I'd been to school for a couple of years. I also have an M. Arch degree...so you can have both. As a warning, almost every program in the country thinks architecture is more about art than building. So, if you want to do it...jump through the hoop...tough it out...enjoy learning to draw (a good skill to have anyway). CAD programs are only a small part of architecture. Find a job with an architect and learn what the profession is really like... > I am a freshman at Ohio State University and I was majoring in architecture > but now I am in civil engineering. I've always wanted to design buildings > but the architecture program here seems very art involved with a lot of > freehand drawings. Sounds like you jumped ship too early. Every sound architecture program begins with abstract design principles and freehand work. As a freshman, you didn't even begin to see the full breadth of the program. Surely it couldn't have been a surprise. Didn't you read the catalog before you enrolled? >I would much rather work with CAD programs which isn't > even taught here. CAD is just a tool and I would be very surprised if there is no CAD available at OSU. In fact, I paid a visit to the OSU website and found no less than 4 classes. >I don't want to be a drafter because I want to come up > with my own ideas. Nobody goes to college to become a drafter. What puzzles me is that you apparently based your decision on two things, the lack of CAD and an emphasis on art. Coming up with your own ideas -- creating -- is an abstract exercise. Those initial courses in art and design are there to teach you the skills you need to be creative. >Is architecture right for me, or should I do civil or > architectural engineering? First, did you realize that OSU's BSArch is not accredited by NAAB and that you may have had to get a Masters to get licensed? Your question is impossible to answer from where I sit, but looking at the factors and reading what you have said, I'd say it's too early to tell. You need more exposure to the programs and college in general. Since the OSU BSArch is not accredited, you aren't giving up a whole lot by chosing another degree. You can always get the MArch except that you will have to take the 3 year program rather than the 2 year. That said, your indecision is OK and with that inmind, it's probably best for you to get a broader based BS. Now, keep in mind that when I say "broader based" it's for the benefit of those who don't know architecture because I happen to believe that a BArch is one of the best degrees around as far as breadth, creativity, and problem solving are concerned. But the realist in me says that many, many more employers think that CE, IE, ME is better. After beating my head against that wall for decades now, I have no reason to send a freshman down that path. So here's what I would recommend. Stick with the CE -- for now at least. If you have the ability to select a concentration and you want to do buildings, stay away from the transportation and hydro aspects. CE is a very broad discipline and it would be easy to get caught up in too many facets or get your education overly diluted by them. With the elective available to you, take some architecture courses. Pay particular attention to course that are part of the 3 year MArch program if you can. That way, if you decide to go on to architecture, you will shorten your stay. Finally, the truth about CAD. Learn it on your own or take a course at the local community college. After you have the basics and have played for a while, then take an advance 3D course if you want, but if 3D is not an interest of yours, don't bother with too much CAD schooling. I think it's safe to say that most of us are self taught. If you think about it, what computer courses have you ever taken and if you did, in retrospect, did you need them? You probably use Word and Excel. Did you need a class? With the tens of millions of MS Office users out there, there would be no way for the education community to train us all. Well, CAD isn't much different... Neither is Texas A&M's BS Arch. But lots of people get the degree and use it in the office I work in. The good news is that with a BS Arch as opposed to a BA outside the field (which is what I got as an undergrad) you'll be able to take only 2 years of grad school to get the M Arch - not 3 like I did. > Your question is impossible to answer from where I sit, but looking at the > factors and reading what you have said, I'd say it's too early to tell. You > need more exposure to the programs and college in general. > Since the OSU BSArch is not accredited, you aren't giving up a whole lot by > chosing another degree. You can always get the MArch except that you will > have to take the 3 year program rather than the 2 year.

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