Hey, I posted some queries a while ago. I am not too sure why I cant find it on this forum anymore. But anyway, i seriously need some advice on whether to apply to the march program or not for academic year 2010.
some details about myself :

i. have an undergrad degree in Real estate
ii. working in an urban planning organisation
iii. currently based in Asia
iv. i really like design, drawing, and architecture. I seriously do. I get crazy about building structures, materials and colours. This is cliche, but it's my passion. (though I am not sure i can survive on passion alone)

my concerns :

a. i have quite a promising career in my current position, so is it worth it to give up everything that i have built to pursue my passion? I know someone's gonna say, u have one life, so live it well..or pursue you passion etc. but after reading some of the postings here, began to realise that having an MArch doesnt mean anything, except the start of a long and arduous journey to getting a licence to practice.

b. studying March at an ivy league university is no joke, especially since the costs for an international student is sky-high. Is it then "worth" it to sacrifice my career and everything to enroll in a design school? Is it also true that being a graduate from an ivy-league school doesnt necessary make you any better than those who aren't?

c. cost of living. I know that it varies from state to state. Is anyone able to share with me, which US states have a lower cost of living and yet have respectable march program?

As you can see, my concerns are pretty much focused on the real concerns of employability, income etc. This is so different from the other side of me, which says, pursue your passion for architecture come what may. Dispense some advice, if you could. I really appreciate it ! Thanks for reading my post :)

if money is an issue for you:
stay with a.
stay away from b.
c. usually universities that are not in urban areas have lower cost of living.

u can check the current issue of arch. records for top 10 arch. programs, but some of them are overrated.


if i were u, i look for a job in your field first if you can. there are arch. programs where u can work during the day and goto classes at nights or weekends....some even have work as part of the study such as http://www.the-bac.edu/x2799.xml yes it can take 7 years and exhausting, but u are making money and building experience in related field like real estate.

lastly, if your aim is to make money, architecture is not for you. very few architects on the planet are considered rich, if fact there are many famous architect that are struggling to just stay in the game.

in short, u really have to love it, have a passion for it to stick with it, school is just the beginning.

hey thanks niro. that helps. I totally agree , we really have to love it to last. Come to think of it, this principle applies to whichever field u r in, medicine, law, architecture etc.

While I wont deny that money is indeed an issue, it's important to the extent that I have enough to provide for my family and make ends meet. Other than that, i'd rather have a career that im passionate about than one that pays extremely well but stifling.

i didn't know that there are parttime architecture programs! wow, awesome stuff. i am inclined to finish my studies as soon as i can and devote full attention to it. I tried to study and work - u just cant give your best and somehow, something gotta give.

i know architecture is nowhere as lucrative as a banking/finance profession but i don't think it pays that badly....or does it?

i hv shortlisted the following march program - do u think they are overrated?

Harvard GSD
Yale SOA
Washington U at St Louis
UC Berkeley

Or should I consider other programs?

I dont intend to apply to just blast all the schools with my application. So I am just going to apply to those that I really like, with strong march programs, and make the most of out of them. The only thing is, other than relying on sch rankings, I cant determine with certitude that those programs are indeed the better ones. Like you said, some are overrated....

yeah go for the m arch man destroy your life as you know it.

haha, yeah right, thanks user09.
as it is, i don't think I am doing anything right with my life. so if march's gonna destroy my life, so be it. i m perfectly cool with it man.

"i know architecture is nowhere as lucrative as a banking/finance profession but i don't think it pays that badly....or does it? "

this is quite an understatement.
I'd say don't do it.

lol...most ppl are dissuading me fr taking the plunge!
thanks ckl. but u r prolly mistaken, i am just eking out a living as a junior exec in some urban planning firms, not in any banking or finance-related industry.

let me hear some alternative views!