Tugging at Askastudent’s heartstring.

I’m going into first year next year and I was really looking forward to doing a double major in architecture and something else unrelated. After looking at the website I got really discouraged. (http://www.daniels.utoronto.ca/programs/ba_architectural_studies)

91 applied for history and 8 got invited. 176 applied for design and 42 got invited. Then at the bottom it says please note: For both Design and History Theory Criticism NO double majors were accepted.

Wow so much for my dreams, lol. Haven’t double majors been accepted before? I don’t even know if I should bother next year if that’s the case. Please shed some light on this matter askastudent. (: And have a fantastic summer.

?

First, a point of clarification: “no double majors were accepted” refers to student who wanted to simultaneously take both a double Major in Architectural Studies (Design) AND Architectural Studies (History/Theory/Criticism). You CAN pair a Major in Architectural Studies with any other Major imaginable in the Faculty of Arts & Science. In fact, you have to (see this post).

As for your discouragement about getting into an ARC Major, I graduated with a BA in Architectural Studies (Major with a concentration in Design). So, I’m really gonna try here…

I could give you a pep talk about turning that defeatist attitude around, buuut that’s not really my style. Plus, I’m not sure what good it’ll really do. Instead, I will give you a play-by-play of my affair with an ARC Major, which I think should shed some anecdotal light on your prospects.

1. at the end of my first year > in the first round of POSt enrollment > requested both ARC Majors > ?didn’t get invited into either > tears > anger > Hello Art Histoy!

2. summer after first year > second round of POSt enrollment > requested both ARC Majors > got invited to History/Theory/Criticism > foot in the door!

3. end of second year > first round of POSt enrollment > requested ARC Major in Design > didn’t get the invite > denial > rage

4. summer after second year > second round of POSt enrollment > request ARC Major in Design > got invited > celebration > buy an entirely black wardrobe and thick-framed glasses

Despite getting a (baker’s) dozen rejections by the ARC Program, I was not behind on any courses when I eventually got into Design in third year. This is because the second year ARC courses are the same for either Major. So, entering Design at the 300-level was as if I was always there. I think that they finally let me in for a couple reasons. One, that I was persistent and/or obnoxious – thus demonstrating genuine commitment to ARC. Two, that enough time had elapsed for me to resurrect my dismal CGPA from the first-year massacre. Three, that I was able to demonstrate competency in the 200-level ARC courses.

As you can see, my relationship with ARC began on a tumultuous path. It teased me for a bit, played hard-to-get, then finally realized that we were meant for each other.

But the honeymoon phase was short-lived. My tenure in Architecture was a cyclical abusive relationship characterized by: lack of sleep, shattered confidence, and gradually losing my fingertips in desperate attempts to cut plexiglass (all of this interspersed with the awesome realization that you get to draw and build things for credit!).

I’m gonna go a step beyond your question now, and talk a bit about Art History, which – should you get into an ARC Major – you will quickly develop a deep affection for. This relationship will begin in the lusting phase, on account of FAH being pretty cool (you get to look at pictures all class). Then, the inevitable transition from courtship to a committed relationship will happen just after marks are posted on ROSI. This is when ARC studio courses are trying to demolish your GPA, while FAH courses are blissfully counterbalancing them.

Let’s be clear that only in the realm of Arts & Science would I condone such infidelity. While Art History is a sexy part-time lover, when you’re going steady with Architecture, it is not the only good option. I also did Environmental Studies (the way of the future, my friend). Urban studies and visual studies are popular, but I encourage you to consolidate ANYTHING with Architecture. All good design is interdisciplinary.

To all of you monogamistic purists out there, whose jaws are in perma-drop from my sexually-liberated metaphor, go take a Specialist. Of course you can’t in Architecture – they are far too corrupt.

Ooo! Let’s push this metaphor too far… Taking a double ARC-ARC Major is an incestuous love triangle. And why on earth would you want that!?!

…

Fine… okay… I’ll say it: DON’T WORRY SO MUCH!!! You’ll be fine!!! Even if you don’t get into an ARC Major – you can still apply for a Master of Architecture… and then you can go on and make ultra-plastic buildings that are purely derived from computer software and have zero relationship to context… and then they fall apart… and then you get sued. The end.