Curriculum
The broad goal of the School's curriculum is to develop each student's ability to think critically and give each individual
the tools to express ideas through drawing, modeling , and writing. The necessary technical and aesthetic skills are
learned through a carefully structured curriculum that stresses creativity, research, and problem solving. Student work
and personal point of view are enriched through rigorous and frequent dialogue between faculty and fellow students.
The highly integrated curriculum also includes opportunities to explore individual interests. The five-year program
consists of 162 credits (most courses are 3 or 6 credits). Of these, 120 credits are in professional architecture courses,
30 in arts and sciences, and 12 in other free electives that can be taken in any other college on campus. Click the link
below to see a chart of the curriculum
During the first four years of study, the concentration is on developing professional skills. Work includes visual and
architectural design training, plus required courses in technical and structural design, history, and theory. In the fifth
year, opportunities for critical and self-initiated work encourage research and the incorporation of ideas and skills
acquired in the first four years.
Portfolio
A portfolio of creative work is required for admission to the School of Architecture. This is a personal statement about
you, your visual training, interest, and aspirations. Each portfolio is reviewed by an architecture admissions
representative and is an important part of the way the school can learn more about you and your talents.
You may submit your portfolio in-person or by mail.
Important deadlines
Early Decision
Application November 15
Portfolio postmark November 15
Regular Decision
Application January 1
In-person review: December 1
Mail-in submission: January 5
IN-PERSON PORTFOLIO REVIEWS
All in-person reviews are FINAL.
On-campus Fall Reception reviews:
To register call 315.443.3611 or visit admissions.syr.edu
On-campus reviews at Syracuse Architecture - Mon - Fri until Dec 1
Contact 315.443.8242 or email
apangbor@syr.eduOff-campus information sessions
Email
apangbor@syr.eduAttend a one-day Portfolio Workshop this fall on- or off-campus. More info HERE.
Preparing and Submitting a Portfolio for Admission to the Syracuse University B.Arch Program
PORTFOLIO CONTENT
Opening Statement
Your art portfolio should include a cover page that speaks about you, your interest in architecture, and your
aspirations. Transfer students only should also include a letter of intent and unofficial copy(ies) of transcript(s).
Art
Your portfolio should contain 12-24 high-quality reproductions (details below) of your best and most recent art work.
Artwork will be evaluated for originality and creativity. Works copied from photos, magazines, and masterworks are not
considered strong portfolio material.
Drawings
We especially encourage you to submit works from real-life observation such as still life, figure drawing, portraits / selfportraits,
and landscapes.
? Any cartoon work must be your original ideas, characters, etc, and not be derivative of another's work.
? Art should demonstrate consideration of the background and composition. Avoid 'floating'figures or objects.
Other media
In addition to observational drawing, works in other media such as painting, 2-D and 3-D designs, photography,
woodworking, sculpture, or any other visual media that demonstrate your interest and aptitude in creative and graphic
Syracuse SOA / Portfolio Page 1 of 2
http://soa.syr.edu/print/index.php?id=223 2014-7-25
work are encouraged.
? Mechanical and architectural drawings are not necessary and, if included, should exemplify design and creativity,
not only technological skills. They will be evaluated on their artistic merit and not on the manipulation of software.
? Keep in mind that good design incorporates presentation and proper editing.
? Work must be original, not clip art.
PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION
Binder requirements (For in-person or mail submission options)
Material must be placed in a black or white binder, no larger than 10w x 13h x 1/2d to be considered. Transfer
students, please use a red or blue binder. Material not placed in a binder will fail consideration. Professionally bound
portfolios are not required, but are accepted.
Size and Format
Do not include original work. Reproductions should be high-quality photographs (minimum 5 x 7'). Slides and CDs are
not acceptable and will not be reviewed.
Label each portfolio item with:
? Information about the medium used
? Whether project was done on your own or in class
? Original size
? A 1-2 sentence comment about the piece (If submitting two-dimensional computer-generated work - using
Photoshop, Illustrator, etc - please include explanation of how you created the image and the software used.)
PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION AND REVIEW
In-person portfolio review
All in-person reviews are FINAL and a copy of your portfolio presentation is required at the time of your
presentation. If also showing your sketchbook, please flag the best pages for viewing. This will not count as one of
your 12-24 original art works.
On-campus reviews
Reviews are done, by appointment (315-443-8242), Monday -Friday until December 1, with a member of the
architecture admissions committee, or during a Fall Reception program sponsored by the Office of Admissions.
Off-campus reviews
Portfolio reviews are also offered in various cities. Go HERE to receive current info about specific dates and locations
for off-campus reviews.
Mail submission
Please, clearly indicate your name, address, and e-mail on the outside of the portfolio. Send your portfolio to:
Syracuse University School of Architecture
Re: Undergraduate Portfolio
201 Slocum Hall
Syracuse, NY 13244-1250
QUESTIONS
Please contact Vittoria Buccina, Director of Undergraduate Recruitment at the School of Architecture.
E-mail:
vabuccin@syr.edu
