Admissions Information
Admissions Information
Link to Application Portal for ALL undergraduate applicants can be found here
Students may apply to the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (BSAS) and Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies (BAAS) after completing the pre-architecture requirements and all, or nearly all, the general education requirements at the University of Utah.
Transfer students may apply for advanced placement in the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (BSAS) program after completing their Associates Degree at Salt Lake Community College. Students interested in transferring from other institutions should first reach out to the Architecture and Transfer Advisor, Sam Dalton, at sam.dalton@utah.edu. See the section on Transfer Students below for additional information.
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 for ALL applicants:
- Application Form
- Digital Portfolio
- Essay of Motivation
- (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Resume
Your application and all supporting documents help us get to know your work, your goals, and your abilities as a future architect.
All application materials are due by 6pm Friday, May 1st. Applicants will be notified by the dates listed below regarding the outcomes of the admissions process.
Admissions Timeline
Architecture 2026 BSAS and BAAS Admissions Timeline - (Applying after completing the Design Foundations program)
May 1st, 6 PM: All application materials due, including portfolios
Week of May 22nd: Letters sent to students via university email
June 5th: Deadline to accept or decline admission
June 8th: Acceptance letters for waitlisted students begin
August 12th: Remaining letters for waitlisted students sent
August 24th: Fall classes begin
Architecture 2026 BSAS and BAAS Admissions Timeline - (Applying as transfer students into junior year of program)
Week of June 1st: Letters sent to students via university email
June 12th: Deadline to accept or decline admission
June 15th: Acceptance letters for waitlisted students begin
August 12th: Remaining letters for waitlisted students sent
August 24th: Fall classes begin
Program Placement
For First-year Applicants:
Beginning in Fall 2026, students who have completed the Design Foundations course requirements who apply to the undergraduate architecture program will be considered for one or more of the following degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (BSAS) – pre-professional degree that prepares graduates for placement in 2-year Master of Architecture professional programs
Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies (BAAS) – liberal-arts focused degree that prepares graduates for advanced placement in 3+ Master of Architecture professional programs as well as provides exploration in alternative career paths in related disciplines. This is a new degree expected to begin in Fall 2026 contingent on final approval from the university).
Applicants have the option in the admission form to indicate if they want to be considered for one or both degrees. Only those students who have successfully completed Math 1210 (Calculus 1) and Physics 2010 (Physics 1) by the end of the Summer 2026 semester will be eligible for placement in the BSAS program.
For Second-year Transfer Applicants:
Transfer students are eligible for admission to both the BSAS and BAAS programs. You can see a description of these programs on our website. Please reach out to SoA Transfer Advisor, Sam Dalton (Sam.Dalton@utah.edu) for additional information about the application process and to review how coursework articulates in the programs.
Materials
Applications will be accepted until 6pm Friday, May 1st, 2026. Applicants will fill out this form online and submit all other materials through the application portal.
Portfolio Requirements:
Admission to the undergraduate major in Architectural Studies requires submission of a portfolio. The 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 work that demonstrates your spatial and visual design abilities, with an emphasis on process. The committee will be looking at presentation, thought process, definition of concept, ability to develop ideas, and visual/graphic skills.
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.
Portfolio Development Support:
In addition to the portfolio development workshops we offer during the spring semester, we also recommend the following resources:
Adobe Creative Commons
First floor of Kahlert Village
Help with Adobe software
Feedback on design of portfolio
hollyk.johnson@utah.edu
M-F: 11 AM - 8:30 PM
Constructing the Persuasive Portfolio: The Only Primer You’ll Ever Need
by Margaret Fletcher
Written by an architecture professor for architecture students on the development of architecture portfolios. A physical copy is available at the Marriott Library and the full text is available to University of Utah students through the university library website via the following link: https://utah-primoprod.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/dtufc4/UUU_ALMA51422734070002001
Portfolio Format:
The portfolio should be approximately 10-25 pages (single page layout or spreads) and include a title page with your name, unid, and contact information. An optional template is provided for your convenience. There is no advantage or disadvantage to using this file: it is meant to provide a basic structure for you to format the presentation of your work.
Your file must be clearly named: lastname_firstname_undergraduate_portfolio.pdf
Please submit high-resolution reproductions of your work (e.g., use high quality black and white or color print photography, computer images or photo-reproductions).
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 (optional):
InDesign template - HERE
PowerPoint template - HERE
Essay of Motivation Requirements:
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.
Essay of Motivation Support:
U of U Writing Center
MLIB 2701 (2nd level of Marriott Library)
Help with writing or review of essay
writingcenter@utah.edu // 801-587-9122
M-Th: 9 AM - 7 PM; Fri: 9 AM - 3 PM
U Career Success Coaches for Architecture
- Nyman Brooks
Schedule an appointment with Nyman: https://ucareersuccess.as.me/schedule.php?calendarID=8747865
- Jana Loftin
Schedule an appointment with Jana: https://ucareersuccess.as.me/schedule/e60354b6/?calendarIds=10961619
Letters of Recommendation Requirements:
Provide two letters of recommendation, at least one from someone who can speak to your potential in an academic setting (i.e., workshop instructor, high school art teacher, etc.). Please use the Letter of Recommendation Form provided here. Your recommenders should email you their letters along with the completed release form to the following address: BSASapp@arch.utah.edu or CAP-ArchUndergrad@utah.edu.
Resume Requirements:
Provide a one-page resume that shows 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.
Example Resumes: Here
Resume Development Support:
In addition to the portfolio development workshops we offer during the spring semester, we also recommend the following resources for support when developing your resume:
Adobe Creative Commons
First floor of Kahlert Village
Help with Adobe software
Feedback on design of resume
hollyk.johnson@utah.edu
M-F: 11 AM - 8:30 PM
U of U Writing Center
MLIB 2701 (2nd level of Marriott Library)
Help with writing or review of essay
writingcenter@utah.edu // 801-587-9122
M-Th: 9 AM - 7 PM; Fri: 9 AM - 3 PM
U Career Success Coaches for Architecture
- Nyman Brooks
Schedule appointment: https://ucareersuccess.as.me/schedule.php?calendarID=8747865
- Jana Loftin
Schedule appointment: https://ucareersuccess.as.me/schedule/e60354b6/?calendarIds=10961619
Transfer Students
Transfer Students
If you are not presently attending the University of Utah, you must first apply to the University of Utah. As part of the process, you will submit a complete transcript including the current spring semester grades from your current school to the University Admissions Office. An unofficial completed transcript should be uploaded to the application portal, no later than May 12.
Students from Salt Lake Community College (SLCC)
- Apply to UU (UU Admissions recommends applying by March 15th to ensure a response is received by the program admissions deadline, you must be admitted to UU to apply to the BAAS/BSAS programs).
- Have completed all Associate Degree in Architecture classes
- Contact architecture undergraduate advisor Sam Dalton | sam.dalton@utah.edu by Wednesday, April 8th with any questions you have regarding the transfer process
- Apply to the BSAS program
- Meet with the Architecture undergraduate advisor after receiving a BSAS notification letter.
Click here for Articulation Agreement
Students from other schools:
- Reach out to architecture undergraduate advisor Sam Dalton (email) BEFORE applying to the UU to explore options and discuss the possibility of transfer
- Contact Architecture Advisor Sam Dalton by Wednesday, April 1st to discuss submitting coursework for transfer evaluation. All submissions must be in to Sam by 5 pm on Wednesday, April 8th to be reviewed by the admissions deadline. If you do not contact or submit materials by the listed deadlines, we cannot guarantee we can complete a transfer evaluation before the major application deadline.
- Submit a google drive link with a folder for each class you want evaluated. Each folder should include a complete syllabus and course work, assignments, projects, and tests.
- Coursework is evaluated by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in conversation with department faculty to determine if the materials and outcomes align adequately with NAAB requirements.
- Meet with Director of Undergraduate Studies and Architecture advisor to discuss what courses are transferable and what requirements are outstanding.
- Students apply to the U
- Students apply to BSAS
- Meet with Architecture undergraduate advisor after receiving BSAS notification letter.