Admissions Information
Students may apply to the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (BSAS) after completing the pre-architecture requirements and all, or nearly all, the general education requirements at the University of Utah. Applications to the major in Architectural Studies are accepted in May, and accepted students are notified in June for admission to the next fall semester. Questions about the application process may be sent by email (arch@arch.utah.edu) or by phone at (801) 585-5354.
Please note the following requirements for admission:
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- Application Form
- Digital Portfolio
- Essay of Motivation
- (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Resume
The application forms will be accepted from March 1st until April 30th each year. Applications must be completed online by April 30th with the portfolio due May 7th. The Essay of Motivation, Letters of Recommendation, and Resume, addressed to the Undergraduate Admissions Committee, may be sent by e-mail to BSASapp@arch.utah.edu or delivered to the School of Architecture office.
Your application and all supporting documents help us get to know your work, your goals, and your abilities as a future architect.
Materials
The application forms will be accepted from March 1st until April 30th each year. Applications must be completed online by April 30th with the portfolio due May 7th.
Digital Portfolio Requirements:
Admission to the undergraduate major in Architectural Studies requires submission of a digital portfolio. The digital portfolio is a demonstration of your skills, ability, and aptitude for the study of architecture. The digital portfolio will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee as partial evidence for your potential success in the program. It should emphasize visual work that demonstrates your spatial and visual design abilities. The committee will be looking at presentation, thought process, definition of concept, ability to develop ideas, and visual/graphic skills.
Digital Portfolio Contents:
- Title page: the title page should include your name, address, phone number, and University of Utah identification number (if you have one).
- Samples of your Creative/Visual Work: the contents may include anything you feel conveys your abilities: architecture, graphics, industrial design, paintings, drawings, sketches, photography, sculpture, ceramics, furniture, engineering studies, creative writing, poems, essays, choreography, musical scores, etc.
Portfolio Templates (Examples):
You are encouraged to include the best work from your pre-architecture courses, drawing, visual or other classes as well as extracurricular creative projects.
If you include work done in a professional office or studio, please identify the professional’s name, your specific contribution to the project and your level of involvement.
Plagiarized work automatically disqualifies your application.
Digital Portfolio Format:
Email a PDF of your portfolio to portfolio@arch.utah.edu. Titles and brief information may (though need not) be included. They should be concise and precise and an integral part of the presentation. They may be placed on the pages with the portfolio material or on separate pages, which, if they contain only titles and/or short descriptive notes, will not count as part of the 20 pages.
Your essay of motivation should articulate why you are drawn to the profession of architecture in general and to the undergraduate program in architecture at the University of Utah. Consider what experience prepares you, as well as what ambitions you have for your potential studies here at Utah, or how you hope to have changed at the end of your time as a Utah student. Limit your response to a one-page PDF file, with a maximum of 500 words. Your file must be clearly named: lastname_firstname_undergraduate_essay.pdf.
Provide two letters of recommendation, at least one from someone who can speak to your potential in an academic setting (i.e., workshop instructor, professor, etc.). Please use the Letter of Recommendation Form provided here: LOR_Form. Your recommenders should email their letters in PDF format to BSASapp@arch.utah.edu. If this is not possible, please ask your recommender to mail them to: Architecture Admissions, College of Architecture + Planning, School of Architecture, 375 South 1530 East RM 332 AAC, SLC, UT 84112-0370.
Provide a one-page digital resume. Provide us with your general background and your educational and employment activities. Your resume should also inform us about your volunteer activities, services to the community and others, and more. Your file must be clearly named: lastname_firstname_undergraduate_resume.pdf.
Transfer Students
If you are not presently attending the University of Utah, in addition to completing the application form, a complete transcript including the current spring semester grades from your current school must be submitted to the University Admissions Office. An unofficial completed transcript should be emailed to BSASapp@arch.utah.edu, no later than May 12.
Transfer students must also apply to the University of Utah.