Undergraduate Architecture Admissions


All prospective students must complete the online University of Kansas application or Common app. This application serves as the application for admission to KU, University Scholarships, and the Architecture program.

 

 

In addition, students must submit an Architecture Interest Profile and Resume to be considered for admission. Admission is highly selective and competitive.

 


Incoming Freshmen

Application Requirements

We use several factors to determine admission. Our admission is based on a holistic evaluation of students. The admission evaluates students based on both academic standing and scores, and other supporting materials, 

Applicants must meet the following academic requirements:

  • 3.0 + GPA on 4.0 point scale 

Applicants are recommended to have taken the following courses:

  • 3 or more years of math, including calculus

  • 3 or more years of natural sciences, including physics

  • 3 or more art or, drawing, architecture, or interior design classes (preferred over drafting classes) 

  • 2 or more years of foreign language

  • Resume is required

  • Supplemental architecture/interior architecture essay is required

  • Portfolio is optional

  • Test score is optional but encouraged.

  • ACT 24 or higher / SAT 1160 or higher is recommended.

 

SAT College and Career Readiness Benchmarks

Read/Write: 480 and above meets or exceeds

Math: 530 and above meets or exceeds

 

ACT National Average 2021-2023

Composite: 19.9

English: 19

Math: 19.4

Reading: 20.5

Science: 20

 

Above average: 25-36

Average: 17-24

Below average: 1-16

 

KU mathematics placement based on ACT or SAT math scores.

Test Score

Eligible to Enroll in Mathematics Courses

ACT: 28-36

SAT: 660-800

MATH 101, 103, 104, 105, 115, 125, 365

ACT: 26-27

SAT: 610-650

MATH 101, 103, 104, 105, 115, 365

ACT: 22-25

SAT: 540-600

MATH 002, 101, 104

ACT: 16-21

SAT: 460-530

MATH 002

ACT: 0-15

SAT: 200-450

Not prepared for KU mathematics courses. Advised to take preparatory coursework at community college.

 

Deadlines
  • For Spring semester: Oct. 1

  • For Fall and Summer semesters:

    • Priority Deadline - Nov. 1 

    • Applications received after Nov. 1 will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the final deadline of Feb. 1

Transfer Students

All students interested in transferring to KU Master of Architecture program should complete the online University of Kansas application and submit the documents below.

Application Requirements  

GPA 3.5 or higher over 2 full semesters (minimum of 24 credit hours) of KU courses required.

Application Documents
  • KU application is required. 

  • Portfolio is required if seeking advanced studio placement. Students who wish to transfer into the Master of Architecture degree program with advanced placement and credit for design studios already completed at another school, must submit a portfolio of work in design studios for evaluation.

  • Official transcript is required. Students should send their official transcript to: KU Office of Admissions, 1502 Iowa Street, Lawrence, KS 66045-7594

  • Resume is required.

  • Supplemental architecture/interior architecture essay is required.

Deadlines

Application deadline is Feb.1.

Review Process and Studio Placement
  1. Review transcript and crosscheck with our B.S.I.A. or M.Arch. I curriculum.
  2. Studio placement
    • Advanced studio placement only applicable to applicant transferring from an interior design/architecture or architecture program.
    • Review portfolio and transcript for studio placement.
  3. Non-studio course waiver
    • Review applicant’s undergraduate program’s course syllabus to see if equivalent content was covered in our IA or ARCH course(s). If equivalent content was covered, the KU course is waived.
    • If course syllabus doesn’t provide sufficient information to make a decision, then completed coursework is requested from the applicant for review.

For students from Johnson County Community College (JCCC) who are interested in transferring to KU Master of Architecture, please submit the same application documents as listed above. 

There is an established articulation agreement between KU and JCCC.

When students from JCCC apply for transfer to KU, 

  1. The transcript will be crosschecked with the articulation agreement.
  2. Studio placement
    • Review portfolio and transcript for studio placement.
    • ARCH 108 and ARCH 109 equivalent studios are typically completed at JCCC.
    • The applicant is usually placed in ARCH 208 in the fall semester for their first KU studio.

Please contact Joan Weaver by email at jweaver@ku.edu or by phone 785-864-3167 for additional details.

 

Change of School Students (Current KU Students)

Current KU Students who wish to apply for admission to Architecture will apply via the change of school form.

Application Requirement

GPA 3.5 or higher over 2 full semesters (minimum of 24 credit hours) of KU courses required.

Application documents

a. Portfolio is optional.

b. Official transcript is required.

c. Resume is required.

d. Supplemental architecture/interior architecture essay is required.

e. School visit is required.

Deadlines

The application deadline is rolling.

Review Process and studio placement 

The transcript will be reviewed and crosschecked with our M.Arch. I curriculum.

Studio placement

Applicants are usually placed in ARCH 108 in the fall semester for their first KU studio.

We maintain no admission quotas by race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, state of residence, or expressed preference of major within the department.

Questions?

Please contact Joan Weaver by email at jweaver@ku.edu or by phone 785-864-3167