Hurrah, begin dilemma

[Gulcrapek]

I got a letter today telling me I've been accepted to the Muehler Honors College at CCNY. That's nice. But I was also accepted to Pratt a while ago. If anyone goes/went to CCNY (incl. phx), tell me how your experience was, please.

Decisions...

[Schadenfrau]

What would you like to study, again?

[Stern]

First off, Congrats man. If you're going for Architecture at CCNY its my understanding that you'll go to school in Morningside Heights and through the Honors College dorms in midtown will be provided. Pratt on the other-hand is expensive. For me what CCNY Honors has to offer is just to good to pass up.

[Gulcrapek]

Thanks

Ya I'm going for architecture. I'd live in Harlem/Hamilton Heights.

I got a $15K scholarship from Pratt, so it's not super expensive anymore... it seems like the entire curriculum is architecture though, practically nothing else, whereas at CCNY, it doesn't seem like there's enough of it.

[Stern]

Thanks

Ya I'm going for architecture. I'd live in Harlem/Hamilton Heights.

I got a $15K scholarship from Pratt, so it's not super expensive anymore... it seems like the entire curriculum is architecture though, practically nothing else, whereas at CCNY, it doesn't seem like there's enough of it.

Through the Honors College you'll be afforded an architecture only cirriculm, where regular admittance takes a year of other classes before being admitted to the architecture program. The deciding difference between Pratt and City College is the philosophy, I believe CCNY is more of a philanthropic college where they teach to prepare students to contribute to the city at large. While you'll find good teachers at both, CCNY offers teachers from the field focusing more on expanding thought on the creative and abstract where Pratt is more on the technical. Further both bring in architects, but because of CCNY philosophy, they often get the bigger name architects to do lectures.

Food for thought. Plus, again you're in Manhattan.

[NewYorkYankee]

Congrats Gul! Although I dont know anything about either one of those colleges, congrats anyway! :)

[Schadenfrau]

I'm not very familiar with CCNY, but I know quite a few people who have had good experiences with Pratt.

Is there any way you could speak with students at both colleges to get a better idea of what you'd be in for? When I applied to college, I asked the admissions offices to refer me to alums in the area. It was quite helpful.

[NYatKNIGHT]

Good for you Gul, congrats. Tough decision - any others you're still waiting to hear from?

[NewYorkYankee]

Schad, which college did you go to?

[BrooklynRider]

Congrats Gul!

[Schadenfrau]

I went to Sarah Lawrence, in Bronxville.

[Gulcrapek]

NYK: I got WashU in STL today - wait list, and I'm waiting on Columbia.



There are at least 2 Pratt undergrads who post here, so that's one side... I'll probably email firms to see who they hire from. I know Scarano likes Pratt, and KPF takes some from CCNY.

[Derek2k3]

While you'll find good teachers at both, CCNY offers teachers from the field focusing more on expanding thought on the creative and abstract where Pratt is more on the technical. Further both bring in architects, but because of CCNY philosophy, they often get the bigger name architects to do lectures.


Are you sure it's not the other way around? Nearly nothing at Pratt is technical and everything is conceptual and abstract. Also big name architects usually don't equal very imaginative work, it's the smaller firms and individuals whose work for the most part only exist digitally. Those are the lecturers that Pratt taps. City College is nowhere as renowned and demanding as Pratt's. Though Pratt is like 10 times more expensive your probably getting an exponentially better education-->better portfolio-->better job. However, if you are very determined and can push your projects far you can do just as well at City I believe.

[Archit_K]

Pratt Institute all the way.

Some distingusihed Pratt Architecture graduates:

Madeline Burke
Senior Associate, Gensler and Associates Architects

Peter Capone
Partner, Edward Durell Stone Associates P.C.

Robert Cioppa
Partner, Kohn Pederson fox Associates P.C.

Malcolm Holzman
Partner, Hardy Holzman and Pfeiffer Associates

Denis Kuhn
Principal, Ehrenkrantz, and Eckstut Architects P.C.

Theodore Liebman
Partner, The Liebman Melting Partnership

Lenore Lucey
Executive Vice President National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

Raquel Ramati
President, Raquel Ramati Associates, Inc.

George Ranalli
George Ranalli, Architects

Alan Schwartzman
Partner, Davis, Brody and Associates

Paul Silver
Partner, Silver and Ziskind

Harry Simmons, Jr.
Owner, Simmons Architects

Annabelle Selldorf
Selldorf Architect

Robert Siegel
Partner, Gwathmey, Siegal and Associates Architects

John Walker
Partner, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill

Carlos Zapata
Partner, Zapata + Wood

Peter Zumthor
Peter Zumthor, Architect

[Gulcrapek]

It's looking more to CCNY Honors now... I feel like I'll be studio-worked to death at Pratt. Also the facilities don't even compare, with CCNY opening a fully reconstructed architecture building (Y-Building). And it will be less expensive, even with high Manhattan rents, than Pratt even with a $15K scholarship. Though I've been told by my family money shouldn't be an issue.

So I still don't know but I'm leaning more to one side. My first CUNY Honors reception is tomorrow night.

[Gulcrapek]

In the middle again. I've been to both receptions and I remain confused. Pratt's atmosphere seemed more comfortable and smaller is always good. But the models I saw in the studios are absolutely insane and most have nothing to do with actual buildings. I understand that's gonna be true at City also but not to that extent. Also the fellow architecture kids at the reception seemed homogenous. If I want a sea of white yuppie-types, I'd go to Park Slope.

I talked to an architecture student at CCNY tonight (referred by phx) and she had good stuff to say. But I still can't figure it out. I need to send out an acceptance by Friday morning.

[ube]

I don't go to CCNY, nor am I a major in Arch. But I do go to Baruch which is part of CUNY, and have met quite a few honors college students. Most of them seem very happy with the program, and the free stuff they get. :)

I know since you are going to CCNY, it will be a bit different, but I do believe you get most of the same benifits. (I.e. a stipend, an ibook, easy access to other cuny college courses, etc..).

Also I do know that most CUNY colleges have excellent internship opportunities through connections with powerful alumni, local corporations, and offocurse the city government.

Good Luck !

[Gulcrapek]

Hmm.. more food for thought.

Stern, I thought you were older than me? BTW I know someone going to NYIT Manhattan next year, he'll be commuting though.

[NewYorkYankee]

WOW, Stern, I am shocked! I wouldve thought you were around 35? You have such a mature, educated vocabulary and way and speaking. Kudos to you! :-D

[Gulcrapek]

*slams pipe on Derek's head*

Read my PM, boy... aren't I more important than your finals? No? Is there somebody else? YOU'LL NEVER GET ANYONE AS GOOD AS ME.


(keep studying, but I kinda need a reponse by tomorrow night)

[krulltime]

Gulcrapek congratulations!

It is going to be a lot of fun and a cool learning experience for you I bet! No matter what choice of school you make... make yourself proud... and hurry up I want to see a building that will go up to have ELI all over!

[Gulcrapek]

Hehehe, thanks!


I've checked the acceptance to the Honors College at the City College of New York... sending it out tomorrow.

[NewYorkYankee]

CONGRATTTSSS!!!!! Gul, the BEST part of our lives is here!!! :) :)

[NYatKNIGHT]

Yes, congratulations!

[Gulcrapek]

Moo.

I haven't been here mostly because I haven't had time to, and haven't had time to have a life at all. Architecture + Honors College = ridiculous amounts of work and unhealthy hours. I might be around more often now that the break is here.

[ZippyTheChimp]

You have a life; it's just a tough one right now.

[Ninjahedge]

Architectural Studio is sometimes more a study in adaptive lifestyle than actual design.

I have heard and seen and experienced myself the late-night balsa/foam core sessions with a knife that is not quite sharp enough to cut smooth 100% of the time.

One word of warning, get one of those metal rulers with a guared bar. Your fingers will thank you for it!!!!

[Gulcrapek]

My fingers already paid for my un-guarded ruler... 4 times. Thrice in one spot.