[M.ArchI] Need help for decision : Yale vs MIT

[tjrdla519]

Hi everybody!! I'm an international student who have applied for Master of Architecture 1 since it's my first time to challenge studying architecture.

I got admissions from Yale, MIT, Columbia, Cornell, U.Penn, UC Berkeley and Michigan and rejection from Princeton and Harvard.

 

I'm so happy and I really appreciate the result!

 

I'm considering Yale and MIT. Yale provides about 20thousand dollars of scholarship and MIT also provides half-tuition scholoarship + 10thousand stipend in the first year. So financial aid is quite similar.

Also, they both have small numbers of student. Yale has about 50 and MIT has 30 first-year students.

 

Since I haven't studied architecture before, it's hard for me to decide.... They are both incredible schools but I heard that they have different styles. I've been to MIT campus and I really loved it. But in case of Yale, I've never been there which makes me impossible to compare them. I heard that New Heaven(Yale) is little bit unsafe... is that true?

 

I don't know my style or goal in the field of architecture yet. What should I do to decide the school? What should I consider? 

 

Unfortunately, the date of the open house of two schools is same, so I have no choice but to visit one place. Moreover, I might not be able to participate the open house at all.

 

Please give me any information about the school and advice for decision. Thank YOU

Edited March 19, 2013 by tjrdla519

[kabelo]

Since you have visited MIT before I'd say go to Yale's open house and check it out. Having lived in new haven before, I can tell you that the safety issues are way overhyped (IMHO). To be sure, Boston is a more interesting city but I enjoyed my time at Yale and there is enough in town to keep you busy.

[Muzungu]

It's important to consider the philosophy and focus of each program and what kinds of opportunities they will give you. For example, is one school heavily interested in parametric design and the power of computers, while the other still encourages hand drafting and model making? Are they interested in community outreach and sustainable design, or is it more about studies in form and theory? It is important to figure out what type of education and training you are looking for, and you will get a feel for which school is a good match for you. Look at the work of students online - most architecture schools have a Gallery page where you can view student work.

[ThousandsHardships]

I think it would really depend on your style. If you're one to be content delving exclusively and deeply into your discipline, then MIT would be good for you. But for those Renaissance men/women who would like to take advantage of diverse resources and academic excellence not only in your own field but in others, then Yale might be a better fit. If it were me, I'd choose Yale for that exact reason.