Overview

The Architecture Department does not encourage changing majors as a means of gaining admission to the Architecture program; however, it does recognize that students may legitimately alter their educational goals after entering a chosen major. The Architecture Department will consider requests for change and double major to Architecture on a ranking basis.

Because Architecture is a highly impacted major, petitioning to change or double major does not automatically lead to acceptance into the major. A student may have completed all requirements specified in these guidelines and not be accepted into the program.

Before acceptance into the Architecture program, admission into any architecture course will be on a space availability basis with the consent of the Department Head and teacher. In addition, students are not allowed to take Architecture courses beyond Arch 251/241 at Cal Poly until admitted into the Architecture program.

Students currently on academic probation are automatically disqualified from consideration.

Students are reminded that they are required to make progress toward completion of their current degree objective while pursuing their change of major. Failure to do so could subject the student to Administrative-Academic Probation or Disqualification.

Questions regarding change of major should be directed to the CAED Advising Center, 05-221 or to the Architecture Department in 05-212A.

Submission Dates

The Architecture Department will accept change or double major applications Spring and Fall quarters. Required Application Materials must be submitted to Ellen Notermann in the CAED Advising Center (05-221) before 5:00 PM on Friday of the 5th week of either Spring or Fall quarters.

Students will be notified of departmental decisions regarding their petition before the end of the quarter in which they apply.

Required Application Materials

  1. Completed Major Change Request form available from the Office of Academic Records.
  2. A Statement of Intent explaining your career/educational goals and reasons for selecting Architecture.
  3. An official or unofficial transcript or proof of enrollment indicating that you have completed or are currently enrolled in the following required courses or their equivalent. All required courses must be successfully completed or currently in progress.
    Required Support Courses for All Applications
    Math 141 & 142 or 182
    Physics 121 & 122; or 131/141 & 132
    Edes 101
    Required Architecture Courses for All Applications
    Arch 121/131, 122/132 & 123/133 Design & Drawing/Visual Communication
    Arch 105 Architectural Practice 1
    Arch 160 Digital Tools for Architecture
    Required Architecture Courses for Fall Applications Only
    Arch 251 Architectural Design 2.1
    Arch 241 Architectural Practice 2.1
  4. Official Cal Poly evaluation of transfer and AP exam credit statement, if appropriate.
  5. A letter size (8.5" x 11" or smaller) portfolio containing the final presentations of a minimum of three of your design projects and a minimum of three of your freehand drawings.
    • Do not include group projects.
    • Work must be reproduced as part of a portfolio that is created with a page layout program (InDesign is preferred). No original work will be accepted.
    • You must submit both a printed version of the portfolio and a digital version in PDF format on a CD.
    Examples from portfolios by Makoto Yagishita (top) and Fernando Gonzales (bottom)
    are shown below.

    Makoto Yagishita Portfolio page 1

    Makoto Yagishita Portfolio page 2

    Fernando Gonzales Portfolio page

  6. A letter of recommendation from a design faculty member.

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Ranking Criteria

Acceptance into the architecture program as a change of major or double major is based on the following criteria in addition to rules established by the University (see Cal Poly Catalog, Change of Major).

Students currently on academic probation will be disqualified from consideration.

Students that do not complete all Required Courses may be disqualified from consideration.

Criteria

  1. Cal Poly Cumulative GPA
  2. GPA for Required Support Courses
  3. GPA for Required Architecture Courses
  4. Design capabilities exhibited in the design of the portfolio
  5. Design capabilities exhibited in the design projects
  6. Drawing capabilities exhibited in the freehand drawings
  7. Thoughtfulness, clarity, grammar and spelling exhibited in the Statement of Intent
  8. Completion of all Required Courses

 

Revised: 6/16/06