What do you wish you’d asked when choosing an LA school?

[Tosh K]

I chose my program based on: student work, where alumni worked after graduating, dedicated teaching faculty, the pedagogy of the school, and the studio culture when I visited, faculty recommendation (from the architecture faculty in college.

It’s good to visit a few schools to begin to see how they differ: students and faculty personalities can create a different feel.  Looking at faculty research and student projects will also be a good indication of the type of topics covered in design studios.

A good thing to know is the financial side of the program – scholarships/fellowships/incidental costs (travel studios/printing/etc can add up).

[Daniel Martin]

This is a great question, Gaelle!

I wanted to respond to bump it in hopes of getting you more responses.

Any certain part of the country you are interested in?

[Gaelle Gourmelon]

Thank you, Tosh! This is helpful! I’ve certainly found a large difference in cultures, funding opportunities, and facilities while visiting my first few schools. Since I can’t visit them all, I’ll look into narrowing down my options using the parameters you suggested.

I appreciate your help.

[Gaelle Gourmelon]

Thanks, Daniel! I’m pretty flexible. I’m now based in DC, so I’m starting my school research in this area (UMD, VA Tech, Penn). I’m also looking into a few European programs (Edinburgh, Versailles, London, etc) since I also have EU citizenship.

Where did you study? Where would you go if you could choose again?

[Anonymous]

First thing I wished I had asked: how many students found full-time jobs after graduation; followed by, what kind of internship placement do you offer; and then closed by, what was the starting wage for your students? 

See, the reason why I’d asked that (if I were doing it again) is because they conveniently don’t tell you a few things that ultimately determine how successful you will be at the end of your program (don’t believe the BS that it depends on your skills – hogwash!): how hard it will be to find a job, how little money you will make, and how much help they will provide in getting that first job. For some reason they just don’t care – ‘academia’ I suppose.

[Andrew Garulay, RLA]

Maybe the first question should be “why are you teaching and not practicing?”.

[J. Robert (Bob) Wainner]

My first question to you is……..WHY did you go for those first 2 degrees in the first place?  

IMO, way too many college graduates are being “brainwashed” by Liberal Professors to jump into, renewable, global warming, save the Planet programs.  And, a vast majority of these Liberal Professors have no idea if their graduates can even earn a living with those degrees.

What makes you think that a Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture will serve YOU better than what you’re doing now?

Well, of course, I believe that people’s efforts in the “green energy” movement is an admirable one……but, good luck in trying to make a living in that industry.

If I were you….I’d do some “serious” research before you jumped into an LA Master’s Degree Program.  A University degree is a fantastic accomplishment, for sure, but, if it doesn’t lead to a “real job”…..what’s the point?  

[Author]

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