Southern California Institute Of Architecture
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Southern California Institute Of Architecture

California, United States

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Private University

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Established in 1972

About

Southern California Institute of Architecture, located in Los Angeles, California, was founded in 1975. The school was formed as an alternative educational model (avante garde) that approached architecture education from a more experimental standpoint than what institutions were offering at the time. It remains committed to discovering radically innovative responses to modern needs and aspirations. The University has a 67.3% acceptance rate. Approximately the college sees 500 student enrollments each year.

 Along with M.Arch and B.Arch Southern California Institute of Architecture Courses, the University provides post-graduate programmes in Architectural Technologies, Fiction & Entertainment, Design of Cities, Design Theory & Pedagogy, and Synthetic Landscapes.  Southern California Institute of Architecture international students from over 50 countries all across the globe come to the Southern California Institute of Architecture with a shared passion for architecture. 

Top Reasons to Study in the Southern California Institute Of Architecture

  • SCI-Arc has maintained an unrivalled reputation for risk and excellence for nearly five decades. Every year, DesignIntelligence publishes the findings of a survey of architecture students, teachers, graduates, and field practitioners. SCI-Arc has been ranked among the top 20 in many categories for the past ten years.
  • The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) has recognised SCI-B. Arch Arc's programme allows graduates to pursue architectural licensing for professional practice.
  • SCI-Arc collaborates with several global university partners, including the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, and the Bartlett School of Architecture.
  • Southern California Institute of Architecture scholarship provisions like COLFUTURO and SCI-Arc Scholarship, LAUSD Full-Tuition Scholarship, Equity and Inclusion Scholarships and Summer Programmes Scholarships for international students to encourage diversity and boost talent within the institution. 

 

Cost of Studying in Southern California Institute Of Architecture

Average tuition fee

NA

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Living expenses

Average living expenses (Bachelors)

$84,310

Average living expenses (Masters)

$84,310

Average on-campus living expenses

$33,420

Rankings

More rankings for this university

These are the Southern California Institute of Architecture World Ranking from different organizations in 2022:

Organization 

University Rank 2022

Most Hired from

#3

Most Admired Architecture Schools

#17

Admissions

Application Fee

$85

How to Apply at Southern California Institute Of Architecture

  • Register online with the Common application at the college website
  • Ensure that all the essential details are included
  • Add a brief history of your education
  • Fill in your employment history
  • Select your courses
  • Prepare a personal statement
  • Pay application fees
  • Submit your application

Note: Southern California Institute of Architecture cost for application is 85 USD (6,583 INR)

Documents Required to Apply to Southern California Institute Of Architecture

  • Statement of Purpose
  • Passport Copy ID pages and Student Visa
  • A personal statement detailing your academic history and experience.
  • Copy of your degree certificates, if you already have them, and transcripts confirming your final grades.
  • Letter of references, if they are needed for your chosen program.
  • SCI-Arc Supplement Question
  • Portfolio (optional)
  • If English is not your first language, you should show your written and spoken English proficiency.
Exams Accepted By the University

The Southern California Institute of Architecture requirements vary significantly. Hence, applicants are advised to review the course's needs carefully they intend to enrol before beginning their application.

Courses

Exams

M. Des

IELTS: 6.5 & Above

TOEFL: 90.0 & Above

B.E. / B.Tech

SAT: Accepted

IELTS: 7.0 & Above

TOEFL: 92.0 & Above

M.Arch

GRE: Accepted

IELTS: 7.0 & Above

TOEFL: 92.0 & Above

 English Proficiency Requirements

For Southern California Institute of Architecture entry requirements, applicants must score the following on English proficiency tests

Tests

Minimum Score Requirement

IELTS

7.0 minimum

DET

115 minimum

TOEFL iBT

                          92  minimum
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Students

2

Yocketers applied

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Yocketer profiles

Pooja Mahesh

Pooja Mahesh

Design of Cities

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Fall 2023

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Christina Jeyaseelan

Christina Jeyaseelan

Architectural Technologies

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Fall 2021

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J R

J R

Architectural Technologies

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Fall 2021

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Alumni

SCI-Arc maintains a global alumni network of 5000 people. Through the SCI-Arc Alumni Platform, they are invited to become active with the institution by attending events, receptions, yearly festivities, workshops, etc. There is an alumni council that works to help SCI-Arc alumni. Job boards, event boards, career networking events, and other tools benefit Southern California Institute of Architecture alumni. SCI-Arc students and graduates have access to a fabrication shop. The University also provides transcripts and degree verification services to its alumni. Hernan Diaz Alonso (Architect), Shelly Kappe (Architectural Historian), Mimi Zeiger (Architecture & Design Critic), Moses Hacmon (Artist), and Todd Fisher are among the noteworthy SCI-Arc graduates (Director)

Campus

Number of campuses the university has
1

Campus locations
California

View on Google Earth University-Brochure

Transportation in the city

Public transportation is widely accessible in Little Tokyo, Echo Park, Chinatown, Silver Lake, and Koreatown. The nearest airport to the University is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Taxis (Santa Monica Yellow Cab, Santa Monica Taxi, and so on), buses, and subways are available for interstate transportation to and from the campus for both students and staff.

Services offered by the university

  • The SCI-Arc institution is housed in a quarter-mile-long old freight terminal in Los Angeles' Arts District. Its studios are noted for their vibrant atmosphere, which provides students with a unique and inspirational environment to learn architecture and design.
  • Magic Box is a cutting-edge digital fabrication studio that complements the school's experimental design approach.
  • Fabrication Shop is a 60002-square-foot facility supplied with various metalworking and woodworking equipment and tools. Students can purchase architecture and art supplies from the Supply Store at reasonable pricing.
  • Kappe Library is Southern California's most prominent academic architecture library

Student life

  • Robot House is a conceptual and practical junction between a studio shop and the academic industry that allows architectural experimentation and conjecture.
  • SCI-Arc Galleries is the only cultural organization in Los Angeles dedicated to exhibiting experimental architectural projects by contemporary architects.

On campus accomodation

 SCI-Arc University does not provide information about on-campus housing. Students live in Little Tokyo, Boyle Heights, Echo Park, Chinatown, Silver Lake, Korea town, and the Arts District.

  • Most SCI-Arc students live in flats or lofts in downtown Los Angeles' Arts District or neighbouring areas accessible by bike or public transportation.
  • SCI-Arc students have access to a housing section on their my.sciarc.edu portal, including ads for roommates, sublets, and apartment openings. Off-campus living is often a furnished two-bedroom, a two-bathroom apartment near eateries, gas stations, grocery stores and shops. Off-campus information
  • Studio flats, three-bedroom apartments, four-bedroom apartments, and shared apartments are available.
  • The apartments are entirely furnished and provide free high-speed Wi-Fi and central air conditioning.
  • Rent includes power, water, cable, garbage, and recycling.
  • The typical monthly rent is between 850 USD (61,804 INR) and 1,050 USD (81,118 INR) 

Faculty

University Faculty Stats

The institution employs over 80 full-time faculty members with extensive professional experience and industry ties as practising architects; the student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. The faculty gender ratio is 81.20 out of 100. There are more male teachers than female teachers at this school.

Opportunities

Research opportunities at university

 SCI-Arc R*SEARCH

SCI-Arc R*Search is committed to expanding ongoing research efforts, exploring new regions for design involvement, and engaging with emerging technologies to ensure more inclusive and justice-oriented spatial practices.

Urban Pasts and Futures Lab.

The Urban Pasts and Futures Lab develop new approaches to today's pressing urban issues and then incorporate them into the curriculum. Research projects address problems like poverty and homelessness, transportation and ageing infrastructure, equity and social justice, the fading of relying industries and the arrival of promising new ones.

Platforms and Automation Lab

Platforms and Automation Lab provides the framework for advanced research in the fields of design, technology, and culture.

The lab employs cutting-edge technology and software for faculty-led funded research projects, such as an architectural scale robotics facility, advanced sensor devices, and powerful multi-GPU computer workstations. The lab also allows students to participate in and benefit from cutting-edge architectural research through research assistant positions and designated courses.

SCI-Arc Satellite Initiatives serve as testing grounds, bringing together minds from around the world for one-of-a-kind symposiums against locales other than Los Angeles. SCI-Arc now operates projects in Bogotá, Mexico City, and Shanghai.

Internship opportunities (Part time job opportunities)

Design Immersion Days(DID)

 

Design Immersion Days (DID) is a four-week summer programme that immerses high school students in the design and architecture worlds.

It is meant to pique students' interest in design, provide basic design knowledge and critical thinking abilities, and familiarise students with Los Angeles' diverse architecture and design culture. Students are exposed to examples of design and modes of production at all scales throughout the curriculum, from analogue physical building and traditional drawing to various types of digital output—augmented reality, 3D modelling, 3D printing, and more. Participants explore seeing, thinking, and making techniques that are vital for anybody interested in a career in architecture or design in the classroom and beyond.

DID includes weekly portfolio workshops that explain layout design and material formatting compilation methodologies, giving students the knowledge and tools they need to present their body of work effectively. Students graduate with a fully formed creative portfolio, essential when applying to architecture and design institutions.

Placement - Companies and average salaries offered

Making+Meaning

Making+Meaning is a four-week career exploration and portfolio building summer studio programme open to creative individuals, inspired professionals, and current college students and graduates. It introduces students to architecture, design experimentation, and transformative design techniques in a unique and lively studio setting. 

Making+Meaning introduces participants to various tools and technologies that integrate digital representation, architectural design, and fabrication methods, culminating in a public exhibition in which students present their design work and receive feedback from notable architects and design professionals.

The average salary for alumni from the Southern California Institute of Architecture is 50,000 USD (38,76,475 INR).

Contact

Links

University Website university-website International University Website International University Website

Email

admissions@sciarc.edu

Address

960 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA

Social media

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FAQs

1.  What is the acceptance rate at the Southern California Institute of Architecture?
The acceptance rate at the Southern California Institute of Architecture is 67.3%.

2. What are the application fees at the Southern California Institute of Architecture?
The Southern California Institute of Architecture application fee is 85 USD (6,583 INR). 

3. What GPA is required to be admitted to the Southern California Institute of Architecture?
Southern California Institute of Architecture requires a 3.5 GPA for admission. 

4. Is it possible for me to double major or declare a minor in the Southern California Institute of Architecture?
Yes, students can double major or minor in any degree provided by the Southern California Institute of Architecture.

5. Is the Southern California Institute of Architecture certified?
The Southern California Institute of Architecture has been accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).