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
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
- Review transcript and crosscheck with our B.S.I.A. or M.Arch. I curriculum.
- 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.
- 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,
- The transcript will be crosschecked with the articulation agreement.
- 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