UTSOAThe University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture
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An Introduction to the Profession

June 9 - July 11, 2008

Tuition: $1200 (before April 1)

$1350 (after April 1)

Application Fee: $25

Optional Housing/Meals: $600 - $1350

Application deadline: May 15

Housing Application deadline: April 15

 

The Summer Academy in Architecture's Introduction to the Profession enables college students, people pondering a career change, and people returning to work after a hiatus to answer the question: Should I purse Architecture as a career goal or field of college or graduate level study? Some attendees of An Introduction to the Profession are students without an architecture background who have already been accepted to a graduate program at U.T. or other comparable institutions and are preparing for their first semesters.

Through a series of individual design projects to which each student develops his or her own responses, the 5-week session focuses on the development of drawing and model construction skills, issues of design theory and history, design strategies and processes, and portfolio preparation. Studio assignments culminate in a formal mid-term and final review. Introduction to the Profession students also benefit from periodic portfolio workshops that concentrate on building and improving admissions portfolios for prospective graduate students.

Academy students are provided individual studio space in which to work for the summer session. Particular attention is paid to developing skills in drawing and model construction, and students are encouraged to explore other means of representation such as photographic processes, painting, writing, and full-scale constructions. Because of the cross-disciplinary nature of architecture, studio projects also address design concerns of landscape architecture and urban design. Daily studio assignments encompass ideas that span the breadth of architectural practice and theory such as structure, materials, site, light, view, context, and experience. Individual studio work is supplemented by a series of supporting activities and events that include faculty and visiting lectures, a film series, site visits, class reviews, and periodic meetings that emphasize students' more practical concerns, i.e. application procedures, general admissions policies, and the preparation of a portfolio or resumé. Computer-assisted design, although briefly addressed, is not a focus of the Summer Academy.

Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning in January and ending May 15. Upon notification of acceptance, a non-refundable $200 deposit (applied toward tuition) is due to hold a place in the program, with the tuition balance, plus any applicable housing fees, due by Friday, June 6. On-campus housing applications are due by April 15. After posted deadlines, program and housing applications are accepted on a space-available basis only.

ACADEMIC SCHEDULE

The Summer Academy in Architecture is a very demanding experience. From day one, students are engaged in a series of challenging, deadline-sensitive assignments as part of an academically rigorous daily schedule. Throughout the course of the program, classes take place Monday through Friday from 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. daily, and students must devote significant time during their weekend and evening hours to satisfactorily complete all of the program requirements.

PROGRAM FACULTY & STAFF

Kevin Alter is the Principal Director of the Summer Academy and also Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, Academic Director of the School of Architecture, and the Sid W. Richardson Centennial Professor in Architecture. Academy Studio Instructors and Teaching and Resident Assistants are recent graduates of the School of Architecture's post-professional program or students in advanced standing. Christine Wong is the Program Coordinator and administrative liaison. On average, studios number 10 to 13 students each, with a maximum of 15 students per studio instructor.

ADVISING

An important aspect of the Summer Academy in Architecture is its emphasis on academic advising. While on campus, students have the opportunity to meet with undergraduate and graduate coordinators and advisors of The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture. The most useful advising, however, is typically offered via one-on-one contact with Summer Academy instructors and faculty.

Periodic meetings with program faculty and guest speakers emphasize students' more practical concerns such as graduate-level application procedures and admissions policies, degree program requirements, portfolio and resumé preparations, professional experience, and other aspects of the architectural profession.

TUITION & HOUSING COSTS

Tuition for the Summer Academy's Introduction to the Profession is $1200 for applications received in full (with the exception of only the physician-signed Physical Clearance Examination form) by April 1 or $1350 for applications received thereafter.

On-campus or dormitory housing is not mandatory for attendance in the Academy; however, given the long studio hours required for both programs and for students coming from out-of-town, it is often the most convenient. For An Introduction to the Profession students, a limited number of single room apartments have been reserved at the Hardin House private dormitory for a rate of $1350 (including amenities). The housing application deadline is April 15, with non-refundable room deposits due by May 1 to hold the reservation.

The Academy also provides a listing of other recommended off-campus housing options that students may investigate independently.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

SUPPLY KITS

The Summer Academy has arranged for supply kits for both programs to be made available at The University Co-op for a reduced rate of approximately $200-250. Supply kits will be available for purchase beginning May 31.

Students may also opt to provide or purchase their supplies via alternate sources, or purchase only select items from the supply kit as needed. To obtain list of items included in the program supply kit, students should contact the Summer Academy office. At the end of the program, the Academy will buy-back a limited number of gently-used kit supplies at a discounted rate from students wishing to sell them.

In addition to supply kit materials, students should plan on spending approximately $100-150 for additional model building materials that may be necessary for their individual project constructions.

OPTIONAL FEES

For additional fees, Academy students may make use of campus recreational sports and visitor parking facilities during the program duration. RecSports passes and parking permits must be purchased in person at the appropriate University offices after students' arrival to campus. Rates for the 2008 RecSports passes and U.T. Parking permits will be announced in May, but typically fall within an approximate $100-150 price range for each facility, depending on permit types and durations.

FINANCIAL AID

The Summer Academy is an entirely self-funded program; however, dependent on enrollment totals, the Academy is sometimes able to offer limited financial assistance in the form of full or partial program tuition waivers to a minimal number of applicants each year on the basis of need and scholarship. Applications for financial aid are due April 15, and assistance awards are announced May 15. Financial aid applicants will be notified by phone and standard mail of their award status.

Complete program applications must have been received in full (with the exception of only the physician-signed Physical Clearance Examination form) prior to applicants being considered for financial aid. For this reason, students needing financial aid to support their attendance should submit their program applications early. Both program and financial aid applications will be available via the Summer Academy office beginning in January.

TRANSFER CREDIT

The Summer Academy in Architecture is a non-credit program and does not appear on university transcripts. However, dependent upon the particular institution and program in which each student enrolls, credit for the Summer Academy may be granted by that institution. Participants leave the Summer Academy with a certificate of completion and receive a written evaluation of their performance from their studio instructors mailed within 60 days of their departure from the program.

Admission to the Summer Academy in Architecture does not increase the chance for admission to the U.T. Austin School of Architecture as a degree-seeking candidate.