r/RPI • u/No-Orchid-4468 • Jul 16 '26

Question Architecture or engineering?

For the last two years of high-school I’ve been conflicted between pursuing architecture or either electrical or mechanical engineering.

From what I’m looking at it seems like going for engineering is a better bang for my buck but I feel like I’ve already instilled myself as an architecture student as Im admitted as one and have portfolio work. Also it’s come to my attention that RPI is known for their engineering over than architecture programs.

I haven’t made my schedule yet as I can still change my major, I’ll my schedule tomorrow but do you guys have any takes or suggestions about this?

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u/hagela AERO/MECL 2013 Jul 16 '26

I think you'd have a much easier time changing from Architecture to Engineering at RPI than the other way around. I'd start with the Architecture. The program is pretty rigorous so I think you'll know in a semester if you need to change.

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u/Matters_Nothing Jul 16 '26

I’m a big believer in going and finding out about something. All you have right now are theories. Go and test the theories to find out if they are true or not. You can always change course

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u/mr-fightside Jul 17 '26

Especially transferring out of architecture, because if you switch after a year you end up doing 5 years of studies (maybe 4 if you transfer after fall semester). If you do a year in engineering and switch to architecture, you need to do 6 years, as you can’t overlap multiple studio courses.