How to Get Into Architecture School

Admission to one of the 100 accredited architecture schools in the United States is highly competitive. You'll need more than just good grades in high school to get accepted at architecture school. If you are interested in becoming an architect, read on! This page will walk you through what you need to know about how to get into architecture school to increase your chances of being accepted by an architecture school that meets your needs..

In order to be accepted by architecture school you'll need sound academic preparation, with evidence of interest in the field of architecture. You also need to make a decision about what type of architectural education is best for you, and develop a strong application.

Admission to architecture school is highly competitive, so you'll need to develop as strong a background as possible in high school to support your application.

1. Take a the most rigorous curriculuum your high school offers, and do well in your classes.ARCHcareers.org: College Prep University of Virginia: Advice On Becoming an Architect
2. Make sure to include courses in the physical sciences, geometry, algebra, trigonometry, English and the humanities.ARCHcareers.org: College Prep University of Virginia: Advice On Becoming an Architect
3. If your school offers them, a class in freehand drawing, one semester of drafting and an industrial arts course will be useful.ARCHcareers.org: College Prep University of Virginia: Advice On Becoming an Architect
4. Attend summer programs offered by architecture schools for high school students.ARCHcareers.org: College Prep
5. Get a summer job in building construction or in an architect's office.ARCHcareers.org: College Prep
6. Meet with a mentor from the ACE (Architecture, Construction and Engineering) Mentor Program to get advice and information.ARCHcareers.org: College Prep
7. Join the the American Institute of Architecture Students as a high school member.ARCHcareers.org: College Prep

Creative Commons [http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikemurry/26700300/ photo by MikeMurry

• There are three educational paths a prospective architect can follow to obtain the education required to meet state licensing requirements to practice as an architect.University of Virginia: Advice On Becoming an Architect

1. Attend a single school for five years to obtain a professional degree in architecture.University of Virginia: Advice On Becoming an Architect
2. Obtain a BS in Architecture and then continue on to receive a master's in architecture, which usually takes an additional two years after you receive your undergraduate degree.University of Virginia: Advice On Becoming an Architect
3. Obtain a BS or BA in a major other than architecture and then go on to earn a master's in architecture. This will take longer than if your undergraduate degree was in architecture, but can usually be achieved in three years of postgraduate study.University of Virginia: Advice On Becoming an Architect

After you've selected the path you're going to follow, you'll need to apply to an architecture program.

1. Whether you're looking for admittance at the undergraduate or graduate level, you can find information on all the accredited architecture programs in the United States and Canada at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture site of all architecture schools in the United States and Canada.ACSA: Guide to Architecture Schools
2. Each school has its own admission and application requirements, so you'll want to review the information and make sure you have satisfied them all.
3. Apply to several programs.
4. Make sure you meet all application and testing deadlines, as missing a deadline can cause your application to be automatically rejected.