ADMISSION TO THE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM IN ARCHITECTURE It is the policy of the Department of Architecture to provide prospective students with both the opportunity and responsibility for demonstrating a commitment and capability for personal growth and success in professional architectural practice or related endeavors. Students are admitted to the first year of the architectural curriculum based on criteria established by the University and by the School of Architecture. They are evaluated by grades in course work, and by grades and written evaluation each semester for performance and progress in the design studio sequence. It is the responsibility of individual studio teachers to advise all students for whom they are responsible on their potential for success in the professional program and beyond. These evaluations are subjective and speculative, however, and students will be responsible for the decision to proceed or not, except in circumstances where department design review policy applies. At the completion of the third year of the Department of Architecture curriculum, students may apply for admission to the Professional Degree Program in Architecture (B. Arch.). Students will be evaluated for admission on the basis of academic performance in studio work and the core of the architecture curriculum, demonstrated commitment to serious work, a sense of responsibility to the opportunities offered by the School of Architecture, contributions to the school community and the experience of their peers. Students will be required to submit a portfolio of design and academic work, and letters of recommendation from School of Architecture faculty who are willing to serve as advocates for the individual student's admission to the professional program. The application documents are due in the Architecture Program office by March 1. The entire Department of Architecture faculty will serve as an admissions committee, and admission requires a majority vote of the faculty after review of the portfolio and letter of application. It is assumed that the students admitted to the professional program are continuing in the established studio curriculum sequence. At the time of admission, however, the faculty may approve or recommend an alternative to the studio sequence that may allow students a primary focus other than design studio, in accordance with the letter and spirit of the curriculum. Multi-disciplinary alternatives may be developed using electives and coursework from business, engineering and other areas applicable to the practice of architecture. Students who fail to gain admission to the Bachelor of Architecture degree program will be referred to the School's academic advisors for alternative opportunities and degree programs in the School and the University. 98-99 Catalog of Studies | School of Architecture Front Page