College of Architecture & Planning - Salt Lake City, Utah

Kevin W.

Games program moved here from the engineering college, and sounds like a bunch of internal politics as a usual yearly event got canceled (and students was told they couldn't host their own by professors, which I feel is an infringement on students first amendment rights) . It feels like there's some sort of misalignment here, as many other parts of the University as student led like the ASUU, The Daily Utah Chronicle or Lassonde's programs, and considering we're a top program, what are they trying to hide? Something doesn't smell right here, why would professors be emailing the entire class past 8 PM on a Friday?

Feel misled and lied to that I was getting an engineering degree, and feel like my upcoming degree is worthless now as a senior. Then to add insult, the advisors often don't reply back to people or are forgetful, multiple posts on Reddit complaining about it. If I knew this back when I started in 2021, I wouldn't have done the program. If you're thinking attending the U, honesty business school is top notch. Differentials are high but you get what you paid for. As someone working on an app idea and a declared business minor, I've had a few business professors being really supportive and said I could reach out to them even after class, very personable and friendly! While in the games program, it's smaller and I had one professor 3 times but I have a feeling he has no clue who I even am, and just another number.

Catherine P.

If you're going to apply for the architecture program, just know that you can't get licensed with a Bachelor's of Science of Architecture. The architecture program here is a joke. Increase in fees, but they got rid of our free printing, they teach rhino instead of programs employers actually want to see like Revit. I didn't learn until my junior year of school that once I graduate, my degree is essentially worthless.

Zachery F.

I had a bad experience with the design program here. I worked for a year and a half trying to get into their program and peying the extra fees that come with being a part of the classes. Grades in the classes are dependent upon how much the instructors like your work and the instructors tend to help people that they like more. They tend to like people who are more talented to begin with. There is definitely a culture of favoritism and criticism. Dont expect to get to know your instructors very well and dont expect them to care about what is going on in your life. Both of my grandfathers died in the semester that I applied for the major so I had to pull a few allnighters in order to keep up with the workflow. They dont care if you wark all day and all night doing their assignments and dont want you to tell them if you do. Their culture lacks empathy towards their students.

The program also lacks positivity. There is so much competition to get into their programs that they dont have to be tactful about their crticism and are trying to weed people out. Dont expect constructive criticism. Expect emotional abuse. They will criticise your work and call it "killing your darlings". If you're humble enough to change your work based upon their crticism they may still not like it and give you a bad grade anyways.

The program wants more people trying to apply for the major because they get extra money from every student who joins a prerequisite class. Look forward to spending $200+ in class fees.

Most students in the program are so worried about their standing in the program that they will rarely express their concerns to administrators. They think that expressing concerns will make them look bad and that the teachers wont like them. Students fear rejection from the program if they voice their opinions. That brings another layer to the table, a lack of transparency and communication.

If you do decide to give the program a shot, talk to Cord Bowen or Holly Johnson. They were the most supportive to me, and pehaps they will be to you as well.

I dont want anyone else to go through what I went through, so if you want a more supportive design program with a more constructive culture that doesnt want to just "tear you apart", perhaps you should look elsewhere. Weber State and Utah State have compareable programs.

Can't C. M.

The building was built in the 70's and built during a time when only men used it. Bathrooms for ladies are scarce though some have been retrofit. The building inside and out, looks like it hasn't been touched since it was constructed. The bathrooms also have a very ... interesting smell, whether they've been cleaned recently or not. Depending on the time of year you visit, you may see some of the student projects that have been worked on, which is one of the only main attractions I would say of the building. Students usually have a mid review - in the middle of the semester - and a final review. That's the best time to come see projects. These dates usually land somewhere in October and March for mid reviews and December and May for Final reviews.

Albert H.

Loved it, such a nice place

Zlatan A.

surbhi G.

MaCa D.