Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Admission Requirements - College of Architecture and Design


Colleges  > Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture  > Admission Requirements


Admission to the College of Architecture and Design 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 and Design.The College of Architecture and Design is able to admit only a limited number of students. Therefore, the College of Architecture and Design wishes to admit those students who appear to be able to make the most of the resources of the College of Architecture and Design and add to the mission of the college.

There are three categories of applicants:


Procedure for Admission to the College of Architecture and Design 

1. First Time In College Freshmen

Admission to the College of Architecture and Design is normally for study beginning in the fall semester. Preference is given to applicants who have completed the application process by January 1. Applications completed after February 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 the Office of Admissions website) in order to be considered by the College of Architecture and Design.  

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 8.5 x 11 inch format and contained in a binder clearly marked with the applicant’s name and contact information. Do not send original work, only reproductions. The supplementary information should be received by February 1. Send the portfolio directly to the college at:

College of Architecture and Design Undergraduate Admissions
University of Houston
4200 Elgin
Houston, TX 77204-4000

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 and Design will review only those applicants who are admissible to the university, those who will have completed less than 15 hours at the February 1 application date should apply as high school applicants.

Transfer Students with No Previous Design Studio Courses
Transfer students follow the same process as freshman students. (See “1.”) 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 and Design Admissions Committee.

Transfer Students Seeking Credit for Previous Design Studio Courses
Admission to the College of Architecture and Design is normally for the fall semester only and the application should be completed by February 1. Applications completed after February 1 will be considered on a space available basis only. Enrollment in studio courses is restricted to students admitted to the College of Architecture and Design. Applicants must first meet general university admission requirements (see the Office of Admissions website) in order to be considered by the College of Architecture and Design. 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 and Design Undergraduate Admissions.

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 contact information. Do not send original work, only reproductions. The portfolio should be received by the February 1 application date. Send the portfolio directly to the college at:

University of Houston
College of Architecture and Design Admissions
4200 Elgin
Houston, TX 77204-4000

Applicants not submitting portfolios will not be given advanced placement, and if accepted, must begin with the Freshman Design Studio, ARCH 1500 . In rare cases when a student’s placement is in studio which is taught in Spring Semesters, the College of Architecture and Design will work with the applicant to gain admission in the spring, provided there is sufficient time to complete the process after the evaluation of the portfolio.

3. Change Of Major To Architecture, Industrial Design Or Interior Architecture

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

Students with No Prior Design Work
Submit a change of major petition to the College of Architecture and Design  by February 1. Applicants may submit supplementary information as described below. If supplementary information is submitted, it should be received at the College of Architecture and Design by February 1.

Students with Prior Design Work
Submit a change of major petition to the College of Architecture and Design by February 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 and Design by February 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 contact information. Do not submit original work, only reproductions. The portfolio should be received by the College of Architecture and Design by the February 1 application date. If the evaluation of the portfolio results in placement in a studio taught in Spring Semesters, the College will allow the change of major beginning spring, provided there is time to complete the process and there are spaces available.

Summer Program

The first year courses (ARCH 1200 , 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 major to architecture, or interior architecture the possibility 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 :ENGL 1304 : Freshman Composition I, II, and MATH 1330 : Precalculus 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 first year studies in the summer or fall, but must notify the College of Architecture and Design 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 and Design 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 and Design  by calling 713-743-3463.

Creative Work
Evidence of creative work is not limited to architectural work or product design. 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 contact information. 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, industrial design or interior architecture, students who are academically qualified, and students who add to the diversity of the college. No specific priority is established between first-time in college students, change of major students, and transfer students without previous design work. (Transfer students with previous 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 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 work well.

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

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 and Design  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.