Transfer students who were previously enrolled in a four-year pre-professional architecture program, a five-year professional architecture program, or a four or five-year professional landscape architecture program may petition to be considered for advanced placement in Ohio State’s program at a level higher than the pre-major.

Deadline
May 1

Petitions are submitted directly to the Knowlton School Student Services office and reviewed annually. All materials must be submitted by May 1 for review. In addition to materials submitted to Knowlton, students are responsible for applying to Ohio State as a transfer student by the appropriate university deadline.

Advanced placement is only available for autumn semester on a space-available basis. Review takes place at the close of Ohio State's spring semester and decisions will be communicated by the end of May. Decisions are final; please submit your best work.

To be eligible, students must

1. have completed one or more semester-length studios in a four-year pre-professional architecture program, a five-year professional architecture program, or a four or five-year professional landscape architecture program;
2. have a cumulative GPA in keeping with Knowlton School admission criteria. For example, students who complete Knowlton School foundation courses are expected to achieve grades of B+ or higher and a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. If your grades and cumulative GPA from your previous institution(s) are lower than this, it is unlikely that you would be competitive for advanced placement.
3. (for architecture) have completed at least one architectural history course.

The following materials are required for full consideration.

Personal Statement

Tell us about yourself. Describe why you are interested in leaving your current program and what attracted you to Ohio State's program. Discuss your interest in the field of architecture or landscape architecture. A concise, well-written document will serve you best.

Course Syllabi

Submit individual course syllabi and assignment briefs from all architecture or landscape architecture coursework including design/studio courses and supporting courses (such as history, theory, graphics/media/representation, construction, structures, systems, etc). For international coursework, certified translated materials are required.

Transcript

An unofficial copy or advising report is acceptable. The transcript should include the most recent semester/term completed, cumulative GPA, and individual course titles and grades. If you have already been admitted to Ohio State through the university's transfer application process, then we have access to your transcript and you do not need to submit a new transcript.

Portfolio

Your portfolio should include academically-based process work and finished project work that demonstrates the range of your skillset. Projects should be individual in nature (if a team project is included, be sure to clearly indicate which portion of the project you were responsible for). The portfolio should include drawings and/or sketches, renderings, and images of 3-dimensional models. Do not include AutoCAD or Revit drawings or projects completed at an internship.

Your portfolio should be a thoughtfully organized, cohesive document (submitted as a single PDF). The size should not be larger than 8.5″ × 11″; landscape or portrait orientation is accepted.

The advanced placement petition will be reviewed by faculty members from the program. Primary considerations include academic record, quality of work, and available space in our program.  If space is available at a year other than the first year, possible outcomes may include:

1. advanced placement into major sequence for the upcoming autumn semester,
2. recommendation to enroll as pre-major and take foundation courses to enhance skills, allowing for future consideration toward the major, or
3. recommendation to choose alternative program/degree.

The architecture and landscape architecture programs are limited in size due to building/resource capacity and desired student-to-faculty ratios. It is not always possible to place a transfer student in an existing, advanced group of students because of space constraints or if the cohort is already full. In such cases, the only possibility may be to enter as a pre-major, complete the foundation courses with a strong record, and be evaluated for a future term.

Due to the specific sequence of major courses in architecture and landscape architecture, students who submit a petition/portfolio will be reviewed to enter the program in the autumn semester. Mid-year (or spring semester) advanced placement is not available.

Advanced placement into the Bachelor of Science in Architecture or Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture program does not exempt students from the Ohio State's General Education (GE) requirements. Architecture requires Math for Architects (Math 1118) or a Calculus I equivalent-level Math course (Math 1131 or Math 1151). Architecture also requires an algebra-based Physics lab course (Physics 1200) prior to enrollment in Structures and Systems coursework (Arch 5710 and 5810, respectively). A range of General Education courses in writing and communication, social sciences, literature, biological science, and more are also components of the degree. While transfer credits that fulfill these requirements will be applied when at all possible, most students typically have some GE requirements left to complete during their tenure at Ohio State. International students may be required to complete ESL courses depending on placement test results. These requirements influence an individual student's time to degree.

***Students with an Associate's degree in Architecture or Landscape Design/Construction (or students with technical architecture/landscape/design credit from a community college) will begin as pre-major students.

Have questions about advanced placement?

Jessica Baer-Graves
Knowlton Student Services
614-292-1012
baer-graves.1@osu.edu