College of Architecture

Admission Requirements

Admission to the College of Architecture is a two-stage process. First, applicants must be admitted to the University of Houston. Second, applicants must be admitted to the College of Architecture. The College of Architecture is able to admit only a limited number of students. Therefore, the College of Architecture wishes to admit those students who appear to be able to make the most of the resources of the College of Architecture and add to the mission of the college. There are three categories of applicants:

First Time in College Freshmen	See #1 Below
Transfer Students	See #2 Below
Change of Majors	See #3 Below

Procedure for Admission to the College of Architecture

1. First Time in College Freshmen

Admission to the College of Architecture is normally for study beginning in the Fall Semester. Preference is given to applicants who have completed the application process by March 1. Applications completed after March 1 will be considered on a space available basis only. Enrollment in studio courses is restricted to students admitted to the college. Applicants must first meet general university admission requirements (see Admissions section of this catalog) in order to be considered by the College of Architecture. Applicants may send supplementary information that might help influence admission into the college, including evidence of creative efforts in design, drawing, photography, painting or sculpture, letters of recommendation, letters of intent and interest, prizes and awards won, competitive recognition, etc. This information must be presented in an 8.5x11 inch format and contained in a binder clearly marked with the applicant's name and social security number. Do not send original work, only reproductions. The supplementary information should be received by March 1. Send the portfolio directly to the college at:

College of Architecture Admissions Committee
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-4431

2. Transfer Students

Applicants are considered transfer students when they have completed at least 15 credit hours of college or university work. Applicants who have completed less than 15 credit hours may either be admitted on the same basis as high school applicants, or when they complete 15 hours. Since the College of Architecture will review only those applicants who are admissible to the university, those who will have less than 15 hours at the March 1 application date should apply as high school applicants.

Transfer Students with No Previous Architecture Courses

Transfer students follow the same process as freshman students. (See "1" on previous page.) In addition to the transcripts required for admission to the university, it will also be helpful to send an additional copy of the transcript directly to the College of Architecture Admissions Committee.

Transfer Students Seeking Credit for Previous Architecture Courses

Admission to the College of Architecture is normally for the Fall Semester only and the application should be completed by March 1. Applications completed after March 1 will be considered on a space available basis only. Enrollment in studio courses is restricted to students admitted to the College of Architecture. Applicants must first meet general university admission requirements (see Admissions section in this catalog) in order to be considered by the College of Architecture. In addition to the transcripts required for admission to the university, it will also be helpful to send an additional copy of your transcript directly to the College of Architecture Admissions Committee.

Placement level in design studios is based on an evaluation of portfolios. Applicants must submit a portfolio of academic design work which should contain examples of classwork accomplished for credit and must be presented in an 8.5 X 11 inch format and contained in a binder, clearly marked with the applicant's name and social security number. Do not send original work, only reproductions. The portfolio should be received by the March 1 application date. Send the portfolio directly to the college at:

College of Architecture Admissions Committee
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-4431

Applicants not submitting portfolios will not be given advanced placement, and if accepted, must begin with the Freshman Design Studio, ARCH 1500.

3. Change of Major to Architecture

Admission to the College of Architecture is for the Fall semester only and the application should be completed by March 1. Enrollment in studio courses is restricted to students admitted to the college. Petitions received after March 1 will be considered on a space available basis only.

Students with No Prior Architecture Design Work

Students with Prior Architecture Design Work

Submit a Change of Major petition to the College of Architecture by March 1. The petition should be accompanied by transcripts of any courses taken at colleges or universities other than UH. Applicants may submit supplementary information as described below. If supplementary information is submitted, it must be received at the College of Architecture by March 1. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of academic design work which should contain examples of classwork accomplished for credit and must be presented in an 8.5 x 11 inch format and contained in a binder, clearly marked with the applicant's name and social security number. Do not submit original work, only reproductions. The portfolio must be received by the College of Architecture by the March 1 deadline.

Summer Program

The first year architecture courses (ARCH 1100, ARCH 1101, ARCH 1500, ARCH 1501) are offered as a block in the summer on a limited basis. This series of courses offers students who are transferring or changing their majors to architecture the possiblility of completing the first year in the summer and going into the second year the following fall semester. All applicants who are accepted for the fall semester are evaluated for participation in the summer program. Preference is given to those who have completed ENGL 1303-1304, Freshman Composition I, II, and MATH 1330, Elementary Functions, or their equivalent. Notification of acceptance will include an invitation to those offered participation in the Summer Program.

The Summer Program is only for students who can attend the full summer and who have no other courses or part-time employment. Those offered the Summer Program may choose to begin their first year studies in architecture in the summer or fall, but must notify the College of Architecture of their intention promptly.

Supplementary Application Information

About the Supplementary Information

Applicants are allowed, but not required, to submit supplementary information to the College of Architecture to help the College Admissions Committee better evaluate applicants. Supplementary information may include: examples of creative work, awards, work experience, recommendations, and personal letter of intent. Additionally, applicants may request an appointment to meet with an advisor in the College of Architecture by calling 713-743-2400.

Creative Work

Evidence of creative work is not limited to architectural work. Examples of creative work may include designs, drawings, photographs, paintings, sculpture, writing, etc. For information on how to submit evidence of creative performance work such as music or dance, call the college.

Format for Submitting Supplementary Information

All information must be submitted in one 8.5 x 11 inch binder (maximum thickness 1.5 inch thick), clearly marked with the applicant's name and social security number. Do not submit original work. Submit reproductions only. The college cannot guarantee the work will be returned. The college will attempt to return the work if a self-addressed, stamped envelope or mailer is included. Slides should not be submitted. Use prints of slides. A brief statement describing each of the items submitted will help the committee better evaluate the work.

Basis for Selection

The college will use all the pertinent information available concerning an applicant in making its determinations. We will be looking for reasons to select rather than reasons to reject. The goals are to select students who show promise of success in architecture; students who are academically qualified, and students who add to the diversity in the college. No specific priority is established between first-time in college students, change of major students, and transfer students without architecture design work. (Transfer students with architecture design work are selected based on the placement level in design studio and availability at that level.)

Profile of Successful Students

The Honors College: Students accepted to the university's Honors College have shown a good chance for acceptance into the architecture college and success in the college.

Students with Prior Academic Success: Academic success may be demonstrated by high school grades, university grades, SAT or ACT scores.

Students with Evidence of Creativity: Students who have demonstrated abilities and whose work shows motivation, artistic ability, and skill in presenting the work well.

Students who Have Evidence of Knowledge of the Profession: Knowledge has been demonstrated by work in the field, visiting architectural offices, and studying and writing about architecture.

Students with Demonstrated Initiative: Projects undertaken by applicant which require initiative to accomplish such as community service projects, science projects, etc.

Notification

The College of Architecture Admission Committee will review applications and will mail notification of the admission decision beginning April 15th. Those accepted will be expected to respond and to attend a one- or two-day summer orientation session to retain their place.

College Requirements

All grades of I (incomplete) that are not otherwise changed within one academic year of the date awarded will automatically convert to F. Any student who receives any grade of D+ or below in a design studio cannot advance to the next level studio. A grade of I is lower than D+. To repeat a course more than one time, a student must have written permission from the Dean.

Courses in the college are generally sequential and must be taken in the correct order. They may not be skipped, doubled up, or otherwise taken out of sequence. Most of the courses are offered only in the proper semester and are therefore unavailable, if missed, until the next year.

Students taking first-year courses and wishing to continue their studies in architecture will be evaluated at the end of the Spring semester for placement in second year. Permission to enroll in second year will be based on a review of design portfolio and overall performance in first year courses.

During the sixth semester, when students are enrolled in Architecture Design Studio VI (ARCH 3501), a general review of each student's work in design is made to evaluate progress and to determine the appropriate degree programs they should follow (the four-year Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design or five-year Bachelor of Architecture). In conjunction with the sixth semester review, students should develop a degree plan with their academic advisors. The degree plan lists courses taken and must show that students have completed the degree requirements for the first three years of the curriculum before registering for fourth-year architecture courses.

All student work may be retained permanently by the college. Students are encouraged to photograph their work before submitting in order to have it for their portfolio.

Files Archived: October, 2001

For applications and admissions information: admissions@uh.edu

Undergraduate Catalog Online Disclaimer
Undergraduate Catalog Online at University of Houston
Comments to: academics@uh.edu