NCSU v UNC (v Duke v Wake Forest...etc) (Charlotte: chapel, credit)

[findingmesomeday]

We're headed south on one of those much planned and perhaps oft-dreaded college visit trips with our 17 year old son. He's interested in architecture/architectural engineering and has picked out the following schools that he would like to see:

Drexel (in Philly--no comment about the urban campus. (blech)

Virginia Tech

NC State

He's got a few others in mind (we'll drive through UVA....) but he also wants to look at UNC of course Duke (just because the campus is so amazing!) while we're in Raleigh. Unfortuantely, UNC's architecture program is housed in Charlotte which we will NOT have time to see this visit.

Anyway, some people have told me that NCSU has sort of a complex being that it resides in the same vicinity as Duke and Chapel Hill but that it is a darn good school in its own right. Sort of like BC/BU up here in MA. Both sit right across the river from Harvard and MIT. Get away from Boston and the schools have stellar reps, but here in Beantown both get sort of a "ho-hum" review.

Anyone have anything to say about the schools in the Triangle area? I'm all ears!

[Dire Wolf]

I had a good friend in Architecture at State while I was in Engineering. And my brother-in-law also graduated with a degree from the Architecture school. It is extremely competitive and has a very good rep. And unlike some schools that are tough to get in, but easy to stay in, it remains tough and time demanding once enrolled.

[MiriL]

I grew up in eastern NC and went to Duke, so I don't have first-hand experience with architecture programs. That said, my understanding is that State's architecture program is amazing and quite well-respected. I had a high-school friend who went to UVa for architecture (actually started in a different program and then was able to get in as an upperclass student), and felt that he got an excellent foundation there, too. Charlottesville is a small town, but there's lots to do. I've spent some time on the Va Tech campus, and it's quite pretty, but much more rural than State. I actually didn't even know that UNC had an architecture program, since the state generally splits programs between State and Carolina (e.g. no engineering at UNC, no med school at State).

[findingmesomeday]

Originally Posted by MiriL

I actually didn't even know that UNC had an architecture program, since the state generally splits programs between State and Carolina (e.g. no engineering at UNC, no med school at State).

Perhaps that's why the architecture program for the UNC system is in Charlotte and not Chapel Hill?

[J_Lurk]

Originally Posted by NChomesomeday

Anyway, some people have told me that NCSU has sort of a complex being that it resides in the same vicinity as Duke and Chapel Hill but that it is a darn good school in its own right. Sort of like BC/BU up here in MA. Both sit right across the river from Harvard and MIT. Get away from Boston and the schools have stellar reps, but here in Beantown both get sort of a "ho-hum" review.

Anyone have anything to say about the schools in the Triangle area? I'm all ears!

I don't think NCSU has any kind of a "complex" about UNC or Duke unless we're talking about basketball. NCSU has too much to offer that Duke and UNC don't have, including (but not limited to) the agriculture program, the design program, and the vet school.

[Dire Wolf]

Originally Posted by NChomesomeday

Perhaps that's why the architecture program for the UNC system is in Charlotte and not Chapel Hill?

While a lot of people call UNC-CH just "UNC" (because of sports), they should realize that it is just one school (in the same way that Cal is actually UC-Berkeley).

The actual UNC system makes up (among others) UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Wilmington, Appalachian State, Western Carolina, and even NC State.

So it isn't accurate to say that the architecture program for the system is in Charlotte.

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by NChomesomeday

Perhaps that's why the architecture program for the UNC system is in Charlotte and not Chapel Hill?

For clarification purposes, UNC, NC State, UNC-Charlotte and others are all part of the same UNC system. While UNC is the "Flagship" of the system, I think there's general recognition in the state that it operates more like a 2 flagship system with NC State and UNC generally having the stronger programs with a non-compete mandate between them. That is to say that the state recognized that competitive programs between its two largest institutions would hurt the state in the long run with potential funding divided. So, as the state consolidated its system back in the 60's, it designated programs to be continued/established at either UNC or NC State.
Since NC State had already established a program for architecture within the comprehensive School of Design, UNC-CH was prevented from having a program. As demand for more architecture education grew, a second program was established at UNC-Charlotte. I think it received accreditation sometime in the 80's for it's architecture education. It's different in that it is not part of a comprehensive design program like NC State. NC State also offers design majors in Landscape Architecture, Visual Design, Product Design and Textile Design. I think there's also the ability to create your own design major at NC State.
As an alum of NC State's architecture program, I can attest to the rigorous admissions process (increased academic requirements, faculty interviews and examples of your work must be presented) and the time consuming nature of the program.
The College of Design (as it is now named) is one of the most difficult undergrad programs in state for admission. The applicants are plentiful but the slots are very few. In my last two years there, I was on the admissions committee and would be happy to impart any wisdom (however outdated it is by now) to you via direct messages.

[lamishra]

My understanding is that NCSU's College of Design is fabulous, creative, rigorous and very well respected. You're lucky to have run into someone like rnc2mbfl on this board who can give you some obviously great insight into admissions! Good luck with your tours and hope your son gets in wherever he would like to go!

[Esperanza27713]

I went to Carolina (two degrees) and I have a degree from NCSU. While working in housing at NCSU, I met a lot of students, both graduate and undergraduate, and was very impressed by their intelligence and work ethic. NCSU has some really incredible, smart people working on real life problems to find solutions. The NCSU graduates I know are solid workers, researchers, and individuals. The university deserves a lot more credit that it receives in the rankings and such - it is salt of the earth education, the kind that keeps us all going. (Literally - who do you think develops all those combustible engine, moving belts, robotic arm type things?!)

[findingmesomeday]

Originally Posted by rnc2mbfl

As an alum of NC State's architecture program, I can attest to the rigorous admissions process (increased academic requirements, faculty interviews and examples of your work must be presented) and the time consuming nature of the program.
The College of Design (as it is now named) is one of the most difficult undergrad programs in state for admission. The applicants are plentiful but the slots are very few. In my last two years there, I was on the admissions committee and would be happy to impart any wisdom (however outdated it is by now) to you via direct messages.

Thank you so much! My son is just a junior so we're in the early stages. I'm going to save this message and probably DM you when we come home from our trip.