News and Information

Questions to Ask Schools of Architecture


Note: These are basic questions and do not fully address the quality of the education offered at any institution. After reviewing all the available material your should formulate your own questions based on your personal aspirations and requirements.

Accreditation

• Is the program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board?
• If not, what is the school's accreditation status (candidate status, not seeking accreditation, etc.)?
• Can you be reasonably assured that the school will be accredited during the time you are in school?
• If the school is accredited, what is the current term of accreditation?
  
  

Degrees Options

• Is the first degree that you will receive an accredited professional degree that will fulfill the educational requirement to be eligible for registration exam (ARE)?
• Is the pre-professional degree one that will allow you to apply to a professional architectural degree program?
• Is the pre-professional degree one that will allow you to proceed to professional or graduate design programs in other disciplines such as landscape architecture, urban design, historic preservation, etc.?
• How many years will this pre-professional degree normally require?
• If you decide not to go on with the professional program or the graduate professional degree program, what are the career alternatives with the pre-professional degree?

Curriculum

• Are there special offerings at this school that allow you to focus on a particular interest such as design, computers, energy, sustainability, preservation, etc.?
• Are there special offerings at the school that will allow you to take advantage of its geographic location?
• Are there enrichment opportunities such as foreign or off-campus study?
• Are there special lab facilities or an outstanding library that would help with your special interests?
• What are the notable accomplishments (and specific interests) of the faculty?
• What is the average number of students in the design studios and lecture classes?
• Who will teach your classes? Full-time faculty? Part-time? Graduate students?
• What are the advantages of the school's teaching system?
  
  

General

• Are scholarships available? Are they solely academic or need-based?

Questions You Should Ask Yourself

• How far from home do you want to be?
• How much are you able or willing to pay for your education?
• Do you thrive best in a small school environment or large? Rural or urban?
• Are you certain that you want to be an architect or would like a program that is broad-based in the first two years, allowing you to experience various options?
• Are you more liberal arts or technically oriented?
• Will your other interests (e.g., sports, arts, nightlife, social networks) be met by the school?