What's so good about Pomona anyways?

[SuperMegStar]

I am working on getting me a job in campus planning: designing college campuses. I will let you know how that goes. I started working on my Masters degree in Landscape Arch... tough stuff.

Talk to Cynthia Brown about the changing major process. I dont know her contact info off the top of my head, but I think it's CDBrown@csupomona.ed u (best way to reach her is email). Her # is 909-869-2670. It's been awhile since I graduated, and I am not sure if the process is changed. This lady's job is answering questions just like yours. If she cant help you, let me know, okay?

The diff between Landscape Arch and Arch is what you are designing. Landscape arch takes care of everything OUTSIDE the building. Arch is just the building. URP's (Urban and Regional Planners) are the people who put it all together. All three majors are good for people who like moving around, being active, and NOT sitting at a desk all day (well, after you get past your entry-level drafting job).

Another way to look at it is your patience level. If you like immediate gratification, arch is for you. A building is built in around 2 years. Landscape takes about 10 years to come to fruition (trees gorwing, ground cover actually covering, etc). Urban Planning is a long term design process that doesnt really take the shape a designer wants until about 20 years later... after the landscape archs and the archs do their work. Let me know if that doesnt make sense...

Architecture field is very cut-throat. There are more job opportunites for Landscape architects and urban planners, and you will probably get paid more as a Lanscape Arch or URPlanner too. Thats a long term thing for you to think about.

Oh, and your first year of classes are going to be WITH all design majors: Arch, landscape arch, and Urban planning. This is a GREAT opportunity to see what the difference is, and which fits you better.

GOOOOOD luck!

[vyan]

holy shat, that's the info im looking for. that's awesome supermegstar, thank you so much.

1. i already contacted cynthia brown email and phone, but no response from her for like weeks now. the first ever response was the time i asked her about the self-report sheet, and that was it. I think she might have blocked me.

2. that's what im trying to go for and that's why i like arch. I havent done much designing OUTSIDE the building. So far im only designing buildings and im enjoying it. I guess i have to give it a try first, right? For jobwise, i don't care about being paid more. But don't you think that if there are more job opportunities for landscape architects, the pay would be less? If architect is such a scarcity(is that what you mean by cut-throat?)the pay would more, correct?

3. hhm....so that means i DO HAVE A POSSIBILITY of switching majors. From what i heard(forum members) THERE IS ZERO CHANCE I CAN SWITCH IN TO AN IMPACTED MAJOR and that i should just go to city, two years, and then transfer into the architect program?

4. From your experience, did you think that CPP was a good university to learn arch.?
did you have any regrets for not going to a UC and learn arch. there?


these are the question i have for now. Much appreciated.


p.s. im still contacting cynthia brown, but no luck.

[SuperMegStar]

Originally Posted by vyan

holy shat, that's the info im looking for. that's awesome supermegstar, thank you so much.

1. i already contacted cynthia brown email and phone, but no response from her for like weeks now. the first ever response was the time i asked her about the self-report sheet, and that was it. I think she might have blocked me.

2. that's what im trying to go for and that's why i like arch. I havent done much designing OUTSIDE the building. So far im only designing buildings and im enjoying it. I guess i have to give it a try first, right? For jobwise, i don't care about being paid more. But don't you think that if there are more job opportunities for landscape architects, the pay would be less? If architect is such a scarcity(is that what you mean by cut-throat?)the pay would more, correct?

3. hhm....so that means i DO HAVE A POSSIBILITY of switching majors. From what i heard(forum members) THERE IS ZERO CHANCE I CAN SWITCH IN TO AN IMPACTED MAJOR and that i should just go to city, two years, and then transfer into the architect program?

4. From your experience, did you think that CPP was a good university to learn arch.?
did you have any regrets for not going to a UC and learn arch. there?


these are the question i have for now. Much appreciated.


p.s. im still contacting cynthia brown, but no luck.

1. Cynthia is not so good at replying to people. Its actually quite frustrating. Check out the ENV Design website and see if you cant contact someone in the main office. There should be some phone numbers and email there. If not, I will look it up next time I am on campus.

2. There are not many jobs for archs, so when there is an opening, so many people are applying for one spot, they can make the pay low and people will STILL want the job. Sounds odd, but thats how it is. If pay is not important for you (and thats how it should be, GOOD FOR YOU!) then I say go all out and try for arch! Just realize please, please, please, that it is tough. What you could do is suck it up, go through Landscape, and then get YOUR masters in Arch. It seems like a Masters is necessary anyway these days. And with both of those degrees, you will be QUITE marketable in the job hunt.
Another thing to think about: What you learn in undergrad is SO basic, it would apply to either field. You are going to refine your drawing/drafting skills and discover what it means to "design." That's it. That is your undergraduate degree. If you can master those two things, you are set for any ENV Design career!

3. There is ALWAYS a possibility, its just the chances are, well, SLIM! This is where working your BUTT off your first year will pay off. I have seen it done, it has happened. But I am warning you, it is TOUGH! C'mon y'all, repeat after me: Changing majors to Arch it TOUGH! Just work hard, talk to the profs your first year, pay attention, use common sense, and work your butt off.

4. As xioaxue's poll asks, which majors is CPP known for, Arch is DEFINITELY one of its strongest. I used to work in the Visitor Center, and EVERYONE would ask us about CPP arch. I would HIGHLY recommend CPP. I have absolutely no regrets, and I truly believe my education was worth every penny I spent, AND MORE. CPP graduates something like one in five archs in the state. Maybe more, I forgot. But yeah, we have an awesome reputation in the field. No need for UC, CPP is probably ranked higher anyway!

I will see if I cant find Cynthia's secret hotline number for you. She is NEVER in her office. I dont know where she is since I never see her on campus... I bet she doesnt really exist. With all these budget cuts, maybe she was laid-off and now its just an answering machine left in her office...

TALK TO YOU SOON!

[vyan]

yea, i left a message for her couple weeks ago. Nada from her.


Is switching majors hard for me because architect is an impacted program?
why is it impacted? is it because of the transfer students? I don't get it, don't the students have any priorities? SO you're telling me that to gurantee myself in the arch. program is by working my butt off?

can you tell me why architect is so tough? what is tough exactly?

amazing.....that just scares me.

So my options are to either: suck it up in landscape arch.(and get a arch. later?)
or work my butt off or EVEN 2 years City>Arch?

man, decisions, decisions.


again, thank you for so much. you're just the person i needed to consult with. Im still debating whether i should attend or not. The factors(well, actually one factor) is a 100% gurantee switch back to arch. I can't 100% gurantee that i'll work my butt off the first year.

[jayandbutton]

the reason majors are impacted has nothing to do with transfers but rather demand. the more people who want a major the higher the demand. when demand outpaces the supply of space you get impacted. we have several majors impacted at pomona and even a few more at our SLO sister campus. but if you don't get in you never will get to arch. yes, you can go to some crap school and then not get a good education. i would work hard and impress somebody. my sister did that and impressed a dean who granted an exception. give it your best shot. otherwise you will only wish and hope about the mightabeens.

Originally Posted by vyan

yea, i left a message for her couple weeks ago. Nada from her.


Is switching majors hard for me because architect is an impacted program?
why is it impacted? is it because of the transfer students? I don't get it, don't the students have any priorities? SO you're telling me that to gurantee myself in the arch. program is by working my butt off?

can you tell me why architect is so tough? what is tough exactly?

amazing.....that just scares me.

So my options are to either: suck it up in landscape arch.(and get a arch. later?)
or work my butt off or EVEN 2 years City>Arch?

man, decisions, decisions.


again, thank you for so much. you're just the person i needed to consult with. Im still debating whether i should attend or not. The factors(well, actually one factor) is a 100% gurantee switch back to arch. I can't 100% gurantee that i'll work my butt off the first year.

[vyan]

so i should just go and work my butt off?


im thinking about it.


thanks for all the help. i have no further questions. not that i can think of any.

[jayandbutton]

...requires effort.

THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH.

Originally Posted by vyan

so i should just go and work my butt off?


im thinking about it.


thanks for all the help. i have no further questions. not that i can think of any.

[SuperMegStar]

Originally Posted by jayandbutton

...requires effort.

THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH.

You'd be surprised what "working your butt off" can do. I think that would be your best option.

Jay, well-said.

[vyan]

oh, actually this is a good question now.

not sure if asked this before

BUT IS CALPOLY POMONA THE BETTER PICK FOR L.A/ARCH OVER UCS AND OTHER SCHOOLS IN CALIFORNIA?

IS IT A GOOD SCHOOL FOR THIS MAJOR?

[JPWRana]

we already told you YES! Do you want to hear it from the governator himself?

[vyan]

oh, serious?

lol my bad i was too lazy to look back. hopefully i wont be this lazy when i attend

[SuperMegStar]

You wont have time to be lazy! First year is where it happens!

[JPWRana]

vyan... i was lazy my first 2.5 yrs in school.... and everything is cool. I'm still gonna grad. on time AND have a decent gpa. but for arch... i dont know.