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M.Arch I: UPenn, Cornell, Columbia.


Ceruleaan

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I'm beginning my postgraduate studies in architecture this fall and I now have decision to make. I have been accepted to the first professional Master of Architecture Programmes at UPenn, Cornell, and Columbia, and I am unsure which one is the best fit - professionally or culturally. I am hoping that some of you out there have either attended these schools or can provided input that will help me make the best decision possible.

 

Some background first. I recently finished my undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto where I completed a double major in architecture and psychology. Psychology has proven hugely beneficial to my design work and I think was a major reason I was admitted to the programmes mentioned earlier. In the future I want to be able to continue to engage in interdisciplinary studies that can contribute to my work. This is also one of the issues which is making my choice between which program to attend more difficult.

 

Pros and Cons:

 

UPenn:

+ PennPraxis - a dedicated interdisciplinary research hub for students in the design school which matches my interests the best.

+ Located in a major urban hub which has a history of excellence in architectural design and is proximal to New York City and the research resources it offers.

+ Lower cost of living relative to Columbia in NYC.

- Poor ranking relative to Columbia and Cornell (Very poor).

- Relatively limited access to top tier firms after graduation.

- I am ineligible for funding until the second year of the program.

 

Cornell:

+ Highly ranked and excellent heritage as one of the top global design schools.

+ Thesis work undertaken in NYC campus provides exposure to major design firms and potential employers.

+ Lower cost of living relative to Philadelphia or NYC.

+ Major funding provided with admission.

- Located in a small town with limited access to cultural or architectural resources for research (beyond the university).

- Not ranked as highly as Columbia.

 

Columbia:

+ Highest ranked (out of my options) and regarded as one of the best design schools in the world.

+ Located in NYC and nearby cultural, architectural, and academic resources.

+ Excellent job prospects with major international design and architecture firms.

- Extremely high cost of living.

- Highest tuition cost.

- No internal funding for international students at any point in the program.

 

So the question is which option would you guys choose and why? For me, while UPenn is the lowest ranked, it offers a setting that is a bit more in line with my research interests and there is the prospect of funding later in the program. Regarding Cornell, it is very well regarded as an architecture school, and has provided a very good funding package, but it is located in a less that ideal location. This may seem like a trivial concern, but in the field of architecture living and studying in an urban area and being close to other major design schools can be a major contributor to the quality of your training and networking options after graduating. Columbia, I must admit, is my dream school and is the best ranked option I have. It also has a very good rapport with major design firms in NYC. Unfortunately, it is also by far the most expensive place to continue my studies, and there is no prospect of scholarship money during the program (funding will have to be a patchwork of money from external sources). Thoughts?

 

Cheers,

 

James

 

I really hope you guys can help, because I've been weighing the options for some time now and made little progress. Thanks in advance.

 

Cheers,

 

James.

Edited by Ceruleaan
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  • 3 weeks later...

I think Conell offers the best happy medium here, if you don't mind living in Ithaca. It is also very well known and when it comes to the top programs you can't really nit-pick a few spots difference. I would say Cornell.

Note that this is with a little bit of bias although not much: I took architecture undergrad classes at Cornell during a summer when I was in high school.

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