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Architecture Admission Information

Undergraduate B.Arch. Program Information

The following sections provide details regarding undergraduate application for incoming freshmen, change of major, and transfer students. Direct any questions about the application process or the B.Arch. program in the Department of Architecture to: caaprospects@psu.edu

Incoming Freshmen/First-Year Students

Important Application Dates

Priority deadline is November 30
Spots remain available until our freshman class numbers are filled.

(Applicants who have graduated from high school and attempted no more than 0-17 semester credit hours of college coursework after high school graduation.)

Penn State Undergraduate Admission Requirements

First-year applicants must submit an online application found at www.admissions.psu.edu.

  • The Admissions Office will review and assess all applications to the B.Arch. program.
  • The Admissions Office will notify all applicants in writing on a rolling basis.
  • Students who are accepted will enter the program in the following fall semester.

The Undergraduate Admissions Office exclusively handles the application process to the Bachelor of Architecture program for first-year applicants. There is no portfolio requirement.

Note: Many Bachelor of Architecture students also qualify for the Schreyer Honors College. Please consider the requirements and benefits of the Honors College at www.shc.psu.edu Also note that many requirements in the B.Arch. program also satisfy honors requirements, such as a thesis book and semester abroad.

Change of Major/Assignment Students

Important Application Dates

Portfolio submission deadline is February 15

(Penn State students who are seeking to enter the Bachelor of Architecture program including the categories of Change of Major, Change of Assignment, Concurrent Major, and Re-enrollment.)

A candidate seeking entrance to a major or wishing to change from one college to another, or from one major to another, or from the Division of Undergraduate Studies to a college, may do so provided any enrollment ceilings of the college or major have not been reached and provided the candidate satisfies the following minimum academic requirements:

  • Demonstrates at least a C (2.00) cumulative average for all courses taken at the University subject to the conditions of Section 51-50.
  • Satisfies any additional academic requirements that have been proposed by the college or the major and approved by the dean of the college and the University Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Education. Requirements for entrance to the B.Arch. program include a portfolio described below.

In addition to the minimum requirements for application to change majors or concurrent major, the Department of Architecture requires a portfolio review. Decisions regarding entrance to the Bachelor of Architecture degree program rest with both the College of Arts and Architecture Dean’s Office and the Department of Architecture.

Portfolio Submission Requirements

Please submit a portfolio of creative and design work to the Department of Architecture via the SlideRoom online portfolio system. The portfolio should include original work that demonstrates the candidate’s potential as an architecture student. It can include examples of architectural design, drawing, construction, fine arts, and crafts. It may include drawings, sketches, paintings, photography, models, ceramics, sculpture, woodworking, crafts, video, etc. Selected examples of architectural and mechanical drafting certainly may be included in the portfolio; however, mechanical drafting alone does not constitute adequate material for evaluation.

The portfolio should include:

  1. Five to 10 creative design samples
  2. Personal statement – “How does the work in your portfolio best represent you, your talents, and your desire to study architecture?” (500 character limit)

Using SlideRoom

  1. Access SlideRoom (stuckemanpsu.slideroom.com) and create a user account.
  2. Select the “Bachelor of Architecture” category.
  3. Follow all SlideRoom instructions for uploading content. SlideRoom will prompt you to complete all necessary steps.
  4. Be sure to submit the materials detailed above.

Assistance is available from SlideRoom at support@slideroom.com.

Transfer Students

Important Transfer Eligibility Information

Fall term admission only. Only applicants who have 2 or less academic semesters of attempted college coursework (roughly 34 attempted credits) by their projected date of enrollment may apply for consideration.

Important Application Dates

Application deadline is February 15
Portfolio submission deadline is February 15

(Transfer applicants, also known as advanced standing applicants, have graduated from high school and attempted 18 or more semester credit hours of college coursework after high school graduation.)

There is a two–part process for transfer applications. The Undergraduate Admissions Office handles the first portion of application to the Bachelor of Architecture program, followed by the Department of Architecture portfolio review. The admissions decision rests with the Undergraduate Admissions Office with recommendations from the Department of Architecture.

STEP 1: Penn State Undergraduate Requirements
Transfer applicants must submit an on-line application to the Admissions Office found at www.admissions.psu.edu. Online applications are accepted from August 1 to February 15.

  • High school and college transcripts are required to complete a transfer application.
  • SAT or ACT scores are not required if you have completed more than one semester of full-time college coursework after your high school graduation.

STEP 2: Portfolio Submission Requirements
Please submit a portfolio of creative and design work to the Department of Architecture via the SlideRoom online portfolio system. The portfolio should include original work that demonstrates the candidate’s potential as an architecture student. It can include examples of architectural design, drawing, construction, fine arts and crafts. It may include drawings, sketches, paintings, photography, models, ceramics, sculpture, woodworking, crafts, video, etc. Selected examples of architectural and mechanical drafting certainly may be included in the portfolio; however, mechanical drafting alone does not constitute adequate material for evaluation.

The portfolio should include:

  1. Five to 10 creative design samples
  2. Personal statement – “How does the work in your portfolio best represent you, your talents, and your desire to study architecture?” (500 character limit)
  3. Syllabi for architecture courses previously taken

Using SlideRoom

  1. Access SlideRoom (stuckemanpsu.slideroom.com) and create a user account.
  2. Select the “Bachelor of Architecture” category.
  3. Follow all SlideRoom instructions for uploading content. SlideRoom will prompt you to complete all necessary steps.
  4. Be sure to submit the materials detailed above.

Assistance is available from SlideRoom at support@slideroom.com.

Graduate Programs Information

Important Dates

Fall admission: For consideration for admission, complete application materials should be received no later than January 15 of the preceding academic year. In special cases, applications may be considered after this date. To be considered for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, a Graham Fellowship, or a Graduate School Fellowship, complete application materials must be received no later than January 15 of the preceding academic year and even earlier applications are recommended.

Spring admission: The program is structured to build on the methods and theory core courses that are offered only in the fall. Therefore, only under extraordinary circumstances are students considered for admission at mid-year, i.e. for spring semester. Students interested in applying for acceptance in the spring semester are advised to discuss the matter with the Graduate Programs Assistant prior to submitting the application.

Important Notes

  • The Department will not evaluate your application packet until all materials have been submitted.
  • Applications for entrance in a given academic year will be reviewed beginning January 15 of that calendar year.

Graduate Academic Advising

For questions regarding graduate programs or application, please contact:

Nina Bumgarner
Graduate Programs Assistant in Architecture
814.865.0345
ndb2@psu.edu

Denise Costanzo
Director of Graduate Studies in Architecture
drc150@psu.edu

    M.Arch. Application Requirements

    1. Your application must be submitted to the Pennsylvania State University Graduate School at the following website: https://gradschool.psu.edu/adm...
    2. Copies of transcripts, degree/study certificates and diplomas in the language of instruction from all institutions of higher education attended, both undergraduate and graduate, should be uploaded online as part of the Graduate School Application. If English is not the language of instruction, copies of all transcripts/documents in the English translation also must be uploaded.
    3. Once an applicant has accepted an offer of admission, he/she will be notified by the Graduate School that official/original transcripts/documents and their official English translation must be sent from the originating institutions for review by the Graduate School, in order to finalize an admission decision. Notarized copies are not sufficient.
    4. TOEFL/IELTS scores from non-native speakers of English. Submit to Penn State University (institution code 2660). The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). The minimum acceptable composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. See the Graduate School website for more information; all test scores must be sent from ETS.
    5. Your portfolio (not to exceed 12MB) should include 5-10 creative design samples. The presented work should have been executed at the undergraduate level or under professional guidance or independently, provided the applicant can present evidence of ownership. A minimum portfolio representation of one project for each year of academic undergraduate study, or its equivalent, is required. Applicants are encouraged to include other evidence of academic excellence, such as awards, design and scholarly achievements, and other recognition.
    6. Aside from a one-page CV, a statement of purpose is required that describes your professional goals and an explanation of how your previous education, academic background, and/or professional experience provide a foundation for pursuing graduate training. Within the statement, please elaborate on the following questions:
      • Please identify a work of architecture that you find to be significant and explain the reasons.
      • What skills would you like to acquire during your studies?
      • What do you see yourself doing after completing your studies?

    M.S. in Architecture Application Requirements

    1. Your application must be submitted to the Pennsylvania State University Graduate School at the following website: https://gradschool.psu.edu/adm...
    2. Copies of transcripts, degree/study certificates and diplomas in the language of instruction from all institutions of higher education attended, both undergraduate and graduate, should be uploaded online as part of the Graduate School Application. If English is not the language of instruction, copies of all transcripts/documents in the English translation also must be uploaded.
    3. Once an applicant has accepted an offer of admission, he/she will be notified by the Graduate School that official/original transcripts/documents and their official English translation must be sent from the originating institutions for review by the Graduate School, in order to finalize an admission decision. Notarized copies are not sufficient.
    4. TOEFL/IELTS scores from non-native speakers of English. Submit to Penn State University (institution code 2660). The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). The minimum acceptable composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. See the Graduate School website for more information; all test scores must be sent from ETS.
    5. Your portfolio (not to exceed 12MB) should include 5-10 creative design samples. The presented work should have been executed at the undergraduate level or under professional guidance or independently, provided the applicant can present evidence of ownership. A minimum portfolio representation of one project for each year of academic undergraduate study, or its equivalent, is required. Applicants are encouraged to include other evidence of academic excellence, such as awards, design and scholarly achievements, and other recognition.
    6. Aside from a one-page CV, a statement of purpose is required that addresses your interest of study and how it relates to the research cluster in which you desire to work. Within the statement, please elaborate on the following questions:
      • What is the particular research topic/problem that you would like to address in your studies at Penn State?
      • What skills would you like to improve/acquire during your studies?
      • With whom at Penn State do you see yourself working during your graduate studies?
      • What do you see yourself doing after completing your studies?

    Ph.D. in Architecture Application Requirements

    1. Your application must be submitted to the Pennsylvania State University Graduate School at the following website: https://gradschool.psu.edu/adm...
    2. Copies of transcripts, degree/study certificates and diplomas in the language of instruction from all institutions of higher education attended, both undergraduate and graduate, should be uploaded online as part of the Graduate School Application. If English is not the language of instruction, copies of all transcripts/documents in the English translation also must be uploaded.
    3. Once an applicant has accepted an offer of admission, he/she will be notified by the Graduate School that official/original transcripts/documents and their official English translation must be sent from the originating institutions for review by the Graduate School, in order to finalize an admission decision. Notarized copies are not sufficient.
    4. TOEFL/IELTS scores from non-native speakers of English. Submit to Penn State University (institution code 2660). The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). The minimum acceptable composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. See the Graduate School website for more information; all test scores must be sent from ETS.
    5. The names, addresses, and e-mail addresses for three (3) people who will write letters of reference for you. Once you provide their names, addresses, and e-mail addresses, they will be contacted and prompted to file the letters.
    6. Aside from a one-page CV, a statement of purpose (Ph.D. essay) is required. The statement of purpose is approximately two pages long and provides the following information in a concise manner:
      • Your reasons for pursuing graduate training in terms of your career plans.
      • A clear research focus within your area of interest; articulate, in specific terms, the research topic on which you wish to focus and proposed methods to conduct this research.
      • An explanation of how your previous education, academic background, and/or professional experience provide a foundation for pursuing graduate training in this research field.
      • A demonstration that you have considered carefully our Ph.D. program and are aware of how your interests match faculty expertise and interests; please be sure to identify faculty with whom you are interested in working.

    Visiting Ph.D./Visiting Scholar application forthcoming.