Although I did not get through the interview last year, I just want to help those who are preparing for it, especially those who are doing their last minute preparations before the interview.
First of all, Congratulations to you
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Before i start, there is something you should know.
Architectural studies is NOT EASY.
From what I'd experienced, understand, learned and heard form my seniors,
You must have interest (I'm sure you have this), be 100% committed, have passion and constantly creative if you want to study architecture.
Many students QUITED and changed course half way because they think that the course doesn't suit them.
The lifestyle you have when you're studying architecture is very much the same as you'll have in the future when you work.
The lifestyle of an architecture student:
- Must be constantly creative and inspired
- Have to stay up late at night just to finish the project or worst, NO SLEEP for 24hrs.
- Hectic life, hardly you'll have time to spend on other things.
- You'll always stick to your course mates and hardly you will get to know people from other courses because you'll be busying with your coursework
- Able to cope with stress, pressure and fatigue.
- Able to accept criticism from professionals - lecturers, which are architects themselves.
- Have projects and presentation almost every week.
- Able to accept bad grades. It's not easy to get A in architecture although you're good at it,
because architecture is a very abstract and subjective field, lecturers usually give a maximum of grade B and hardly they'll give A.
- Something you might think is nice, but others might think it's crap.
- Something which is right can be twist and turn to wrong. This is what architecture is.
- and these will be more of less the same when you work in the future.
Initially I was very determined to do architecture, I even planned to switch my course to it. But after I got advices from my seniors, I found out that it's not that I do not have interest or cannot accept the lifestyle, I just do not have enough creative ideas to be squeezed out from my mind every week.
I'm not trying to demotivate you, I just wanna help you to ensure that you are very clear of what you want, so you can make a wise decision and do not regret in the future.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
--------------------------
Tips:
You must be prepared,
Read more about this field, the roles, the responsibility,
besides designing new buildings, architects also in charge of urban planning, building pipe and water works planning, building conservation works, eg. heritage buildings. etc.
what is LAM - Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia and their roles,
what is PAM - Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia,
the papers you're going to seat as an architecture student
- LAM Part 1 and Part 2 in Univeristy, then work for a few years, and if you want, take LAM Part 3 - The professional paper in malaysia, if you pass, you'll get the title "Ar." - just like doctor(Dr.)
Other accreditations - RIBA,... etc.
If possible, go and visit PAM's office at 4 & 6 Jalan Tangsi 50480 Kuala Lumpur, near bulit aman, opposite of the selengor clubhouse, dataran merdeka and bank negara,
They have a small library. Check out their books.
Most local universities need their students to pass LAM part 1 to be allowed to do Part 2, except UTM - you do not need to do Part 1 in UTM(if i'm not mistaken).
Only UM will automatically give RIBA after you've passed Part 2.
Other private Unis: Many are not recognized by PAM.
Taylors - only provide Part 1, then you'll have to go to Australia to take Part 2.
Alfa - only offer diploma courses,
UCSI - you have to finish it in Scotland
LimKokWing - Extremely Expensive.
--------------------------
The interview:
Last year I had sat for the test and interviewed by lecturers from UTM. They only took half of the applicants.
There were 3 parts:
1. Aptitude test
2. Drawing test
3. Interview
Dress code: Formal
==========================
1. Aptitude test:
paper test on your understanding on architecture, skills and knowledge.
Remember to study on perspective drawing - x,y,z axis and plan (just like the one we studied in Kemahiran Hidup), and focus point.
-What is sustainable architecture?
Memorize the famous architect names and works of:
-local architects: Dr. Ken Yeang, Tengku Robert Hamzah...
-foreign architects: eg. Frank Gehrey, Le Corbusier...etc.etc
KLCC architect: Cesar Pelli
KLIA Architect:
Menara TM: Hijjas Kasturi
The tallest builing : Burj Dubai
China Olympic stadium & swimming pool..... etc.
they'll ask you for your favourite architect or their works (you must know even you don't know any). remember the spellings as well
Types of architecture style : Post War, Art Deco, Gothic, Victorian, Modern.. etc.
==========================
2. Drawing test:
I had this along with the aptitude test,
The title was an imaginary scene
Remember to bring your pencils, eraser, pen, some colour pencils.
Practice and pay attention on your strokes, tones, perspective, shadow and DETAILS.
All they want to see is your confidence in drawing.
so try not to use ruler when drawing buildings.
You must also be good at drawing people, objects, furniture, car, plants, landscape,.. etc
If you have no idea what they want, ask them, or try your best to draw something nice...
Try to recall a scene and draw it out.. use your imagination.
==========================
3. Interview:
In English and Malay
Remember to bring the stuff they mentioned in the letter, your certs, testimonials and your PORTFOLIO/SKETCHBOOK. (If you do not have any, get a sketchbook or papers and draw nice things on it!) Show them your drawings. If they love it and they ask whether they can keep it, give them, most probably you'll pass the interview and test.=)
The moment you walk into the room,
Stay calm (Though you're not)
Maintain natural
Don't Panic
Greet the interviewer/s
No dramatic actions - Don't bow or curtsey- Unless you/they are Japanese or Korean
Speak to them just like how you talk to your friends
Remember to get to know their names - very important and useful!
They'll ask you to introduce yourself
Why do you want to study the course
Probably your favourite architect / building and describe them
Ask you some general knowledge questions eg, who's the prime minister of Malaysia,
what do you think of the unrest in Thailand, etc.
Maybe some stupid questions:
do you have friends from other ethnics, Name 10 of them,
if you were the minister, what will you change?
what are you reading?
what will you do if you don't pass this?
- just to test your confidence.
The softwares architect use to design:
3DsMax
Autocad
Photoshop
==========================
--------------------------
These are the websites that you MUST READ:
websites of the university faculty that offer the course
http://www.hbp.usm.my/
-Extremely useful for your interview-
So you're interested in ARCHITECTURE?, An academic guide to become an Architect:
http://forum.lowyat.net/to
http://forum.lowyat.net/to
http://www.tanggam.com/v3/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=38
--------------------------
http://www.ncarb.org/pathw
http://www.archsoc.com/kca
http://architube.org/2009/
http://www.lam.gov.my/
http://www.lam.gov.my/accr
http://www.pam.org.my/
http://www.pam.org.my/abou
http://www.e-architect.co.
http://www.e-architect.co.
http://www.hijjaskasturi.c
http://www.ldavies.com/
http://www.trhamzahyeang.c
http://archrecord.construc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wi
& others: online forums, Google & Wikipedia for the topic!
Recommended book: Architecture: Space, Form and Order by D.K.Ching
--------------------------
--------------------------
You might not have enough time to prepare for this saturday if you start now. Coz I did my preparation quite early.
Anyway, just focus on the 2 Lowyat.net Forums & Tanggam, prepare your portfolio, practice your drawing skills and memorize some architecture names, terms (eg. facade, plan) and building.
Should you have any questions, you can ask Azarimy - aka. Mister Architect in the Lowyat.net Forum, don't hesitate to post up any questions there. I'm sure they'll answer any of their questions.
You can also ask me any questions, I'll try my best to help.
I hope my email will help you save some time on your preparation.
I tried to feed as much info as possible that i have. So i think this is all i have. If there's anything i left out I'll email you next time.
Give it your best shot, never give up and All The Best to you! You Can Do It!
Enjoy the experience ! =)
====================================================
Forgive me if there're any mistakes, I just write what I'd experienced.
Good Luck !
-----
Add ons:
Hey guys, thanks for posting so many questions,
I wished I could reply them on time, but unfortunately I couldn't,
If you have any questions, you could drop me an email at "jyphoon" - on gmail address.
For what is required to bring: Bring everything you could for drawing or should I say - Sketching: ie pencils, sharperner, erasers, colour pencils (if you want).
Yes you can 1st do a diploma and then continue with a degree in Architecture, so no worries on that.
Regarding the Kolej Laila Taib(KLT) whether or not they offers LAM papers. I've no idea, you'll have to call them up, meet them in person and ask about it.
If you're unsure. Call up and ask. There's no harm asking the right questions to the right people at the right time.
All the best to you guys!
Architectural studies is NOT EASY.
From what I'd experienced, understand, learned and heard form my seniors,
You must have interest (I'm sure you have this), be 100% committed, have passion and constantly creative if you want to study architecture.
Many students QUITED and changed course half way because they think that the course doesn't suit them.
The lifestyle you have when you're studying architecture is very much the same as you'll have in the future when you work.
The lifestyle of an architecture student:
- Must be constantly creative and inspired
- Have to stay up late at night just to finish the project or worst, NO SLEEP for 24hrs.
- Hectic life, hardly you'll have time to spend on other things.
- You'll always stick to your course mates and hardly you will get to know people from other courses because you'll be busying with your coursework
- Able to cope with stress, pressure and fatigue.
- Able to accept criticism from professionals - lecturers, which are architects themselves.
- Have projects and presentation almost every week.
- Able to accept bad grades. It's not easy to get A in architecture although you're good at it,
because architecture is a very abstract and subjective field, lecturers usually give a maximum of grade B and hardly they'll give A.
- Something you might think is nice, but others might think it's crap.
- Something which is right can be twist and turn to wrong. This is what architecture is.
- and these will be more of less the same when you work in the future.
Initially I was very determined to do architecture, I even planned to switch my course to it. But after I got advices from my seniors, I found out that it's not that I do not have interest or cannot accept the lifestyle, I just do not have enough creative ideas to be squeezed out from my mind every week.
I'm not trying to demotivate you, I just wanna help you to ensure that you are very clear of what you want, so you can make a wise decision and do not regret in the future.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
--------------------------
Tips:
You must be prepared,
Read more about this field, the roles, the responsibility,
besides designing new buildings, architects also in charge of urban planning, building pipe and water works planning, building conservation works, eg. heritage buildings. etc.
what is LAM - Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia and their roles,
what is PAM - Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia,
the papers you're going to seat as an architecture student
- LAM Part 1 and Part 2 in Univeristy, then work for a few years, and if you want, take LAM Part 3 - The professional paper in malaysia, if you pass, you'll get the title "Ar." - just like doctor(Dr.)
Other accreditations - RIBA,... etc.
If possible, go and visit PAM's office at 4 & 6 Jalan Tangsi 50480 Kuala Lumpur, near bulit aman, opposite of the selengor clubhouse, dataran merdeka and bank negara,
They have a small library. Check out their books.
Most local universities need their students to pass LAM part 1 to be allowed to do Part 2, except UTM - you do not need to do Part 1 in UTM(if i'm not mistaken).
Only UM will automatically give RIBA after you've passed Part 2.
Other private Unis: Many are not recognized by PAM.
Taylors - only provide Part 1, then you'll have to go to Australia to take Part 2.
Alfa - only offer diploma courses,
UCSI - you have to finish it in Scotland
LimKokWing - Extremely Expensive.
--------------------------
The interview:
Last year I had sat for the test and interviewed by lecturers from UTM. They only took half of the applicants.
There were 3 parts:
1. Aptitude test
2. Drawing test
3. Interview
Dress code: Formal
==========================
1. Aptitude test:
paper test on your understanding on architecture, skills and knowledge.
Remember to study on perspective drawing - x,y,z axis and plan (just like the one we studied in Kemahiran Hidup), and focus point.
-What is sustainable architecture?
Memorize the famous architect names and works of:
-local architects: Dr. Ken Yeang, Tengku Robert Hamzah...
-foreign architects: eg. Frank Gehrey, Le Corbusier...etc.etc
KLCC architect: Cesar Pelli
KLIA Architect:
Menara TM: Hijjas Kasturi
The tallest builing : Burj Dubai
China Olympic stadium & swimming pool..... etc.
they'll ask you for your favourite architect or their works (you must know even you don't know any). remember the spellings as well
Types of architecture style : Post War, Art Deco, Gothic, Victorian, Modern.. etc.
==========================
2. Drawing test:
I had this along with the aptitude test,
The title was an imaginary scene
Remember to bring your pencils, eraser, pen, some colour pencils.
Practice and pay attention on your strokes, tones, perspective, shadow and DETAILS.
All they want to see is your confidence in drawing.
so try not to use ruler when drawing buildings.
You must also be good at drawing people, objects, furniture, car, plants, landscape,.. etc
If you have no idea what they want, ask them, or try your best to draw something nice...
Try to recall a scene and draw it out.. use your imagination.
==========================
3. Interview:
In English and Malay
Remember to bring the stuff they mentioned in the letter, your certs, testimonials and your PORTFOLIO/SKETCHBOOK. (If you do not have any, get a sketchbook or papers and draw nice things on it!) Show them your drawings. If they love it and they ask whether they can keep it, give them, most probably you'll pass the interview and test.=)
The moment you walk into the room,
Stay calm (Though you're not)
Maintain natural
Don't Panic
Greet the interviewer/s
No dramatic actions - Don't bow or curtsey- Unless you/they are Japanese or Korean
Speak to them just like how you talk to your friends
Remember to get to know their names - very important and useful!
They'll ask you to introduce yourself
Why do you want to study the course
Probably your favourite architect / building and describe them
Ask you some general knowledge questions eg, who's the prime minister of Malaysia,
what do you think of the unrest in Thailand, etc.
Maybe some stupid questions:
do you have friends from other ethnics, Name 10 of them,
if you were the minister, what will you change?
what are you reading?
what will you do if you don't pass this?
- just to test your confidence.
The softwares architect use to design:
3DsMax
Autocad
Photoshop
==========================
--------------------------
These are the websites that you MUST READ:
websites of the university faculty that offer the course
http://www.hbp.usm.my/
-Extremely useful for your interview-
So you're interested in ARCHITECTURE?, An academic guide to become an Architect:
http://forum.lowyat.net/to
http://forum.lowyat.net/to
http://www.tanggam.com/v3/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=38
--------------------------
http://www.ncarb.org/pathw
http://www.archsoc.com/kca
http://architube.org/2009/
http://www.lam.gov.my/
http://www.lam.gov.my/accr
http://www.pam.org.my/
http://www.pam.org.my/abou
http://www.e-architect.co.
http://www.e-architect.co.
http://www.hijjaskasturi.c
http://www.ldavies.com/
http://www.trhamzahyeang.c
http://archrecord.construc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wi
& others: online forums, Google & Wikipedia for the topic!
Recommended book: Architecture: Space, Form and Order by D.K.Ching
--------------------------
--------------------------
You might not have enough time to prepare for this saturday if you start now. Coz I did my preparation quite early.
Anyway, just focus on the 2 Lowyat.net Forums & Tanggam, prepare your portfolio, practice your drawing skills and memorize some architecture names, terms (eg. facade, plan) and building.
Should you have any questions, you can ask Azarimy - aka. Mister Architect in the Lowyat.net Forum, don't hesitate to post up any questions there. I'm sure they'll answer any of their questions.
You can also ask me any questions, I'll try my best to help.
I hope my email will help you save some time on your preparation.
I tried to feed as much info as possible that i have. So i think this is all i have. If there's anything i left out I'll email you next time.
Give it your best shot, never give up and All The Best to you! You Can Do It!
Enjoy the experience ! =)
====================================================
Forgive me if there're any mistakes, I just write what I'd experienced.
Good Luck !
-----
Add ons:
Hey guys, thanks for posting so many questions,
I wished I could reply them on time, but unfortunately I couldn't,
If you have any questions, you could drop me an email at "jyphoon" - on gmail address.
For what is required to bring: Bring everything you could for drawing or should I say - Sketching: ie pencils, sharperner, erasers, colour pencils (if you want).
Yes you can 1st do a diploma and then continue with a degree in Architecture, so no worries on that.
Regarding the Kolej Laila Taib(KLT) whether or not they offers LAM papers. I've no idea, you'll have to call them up, meet them in person and ask about it.
If you're unsure. Call up and ask. There's no harm asking the right questions to the right people at the right time.
All the best to you guys!
Posts
24 comments:
Thanks for giving this tip. Helps a lot :)
The ArchSoc website referenced above is run by disgruntled ex-academic Garry Stevens. His unprofessional comments are littered across the site. His website has no credibility as a ranking of architecture schools. His solely quantitative criteria to rank the “Best Architecture Schools” is to count up the number of publications by academics that are held in libraries such as the RIBA. This is a limited and arbitrary measure that will tell a prospective student next to nothing about the quality of teaching and research in any particular school. The site is entirely unreliable as a guide and should be avoided.
Prospective students deciding which Architecture school to apply for should carefully investigate the research culture and teaching outcomes of any particular school they are interested in.
Thanks, it did a lot of reminders and inspires.
thanks alot mahn....that helped alot!!!....god bless you!!
thanks alot mahn!!....that helped alot!!!....god bless you!!...
thanks alot mahn!!.....that helped alot!!....god bless you!!...
thank YOU! so, what are you studying now? i am a Malaysian too. 17 this year and i am very lost. what are the subjects required for architecture? thanks. thanks. hope to hear from you soon ;)
thank YOU! so, what are you studying now? i am a Malaysian too. 17 this year and i am very lost. what are the subjects required for architecture? thanks. thanks. hope to hear from you soon ;)
Hi there, It's my pleasure to provide help in my best ability.
This blog post/email was sent to a junior of mine, who had passed the interview and she's now a 2nd year architecture student in UKM. Check out her blog here: http://tzupenglow.blogspot.com/ Maybe you can ask her some questions too.
17 of age, means you're waiting to sit for SPM. Take this advice: Focus on what's in front of you 1st, only then you think of it when you're through SPM.
I had this interview after my STPM.
Well, you can always choose to go for a diploma in Architecture if you're really lock onto it. Else, you can go for any other pre-U couses, eg, STPM, A-Levels, Foundation, Matirculation.
There is NO pre-requisites/courses/subjects/field you should take before going into architecture. Architecture is BOTH SCIENCE & ARTS(Non-science). So, don't constraint yourself when you're doing your Pre-U. Take that 1 or 2 years to really think what you wanna do. Search the net.
In architecture, drawing is the most essential. If you're bad at drawing, practice, if you're still bad at it, go study something else.
If you can't afford to go for private colleges or study abroad, you should be mentally prepared to be given a course not chosen by you in the 8 choices of your application form for entering public U.
So, it's best you practice hard. More architecture courses offered by public U requires you to go for an interview before they take you.
I'm currently studying computer science, in UM. It was my last (8th) choice in the list. I put UTM, UM, USM, & UPM architecture courses as the 1st 4 choice.
I was very disappointed at 1st and was determined to switch course to architecture using my 1st Semester's result in UM.
After talking to one of my senior who managed to switch from Computer Science to Architecture, I found out that architecture was difficult. And I started to fell in love with Computer Science due to the large sources of information available in the net and I continued studying it till now.
So, as I mentioned in the 1st part of this comment, Focus on your SPM 1st. Then only think of the things to study. Who knows, with your result, you can apply for a scholarship to study abroad, eg. Nanyang scholarship from Singapore, or even National University of Singapore =)
thanks...im sharing this.
i would like to know that if Kolej Laila Taib(KLT) offers LAM papers?
Aiden said...
This year, the letter of interview asked me to bring one drawing, a free topic drawing, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT I SHOULD BRING!
I attended art class before and issit suitable to bring those drawing there?
TQ...ur advice is very helpful :)
hai :) i stumbled upon your post while searching for architecture related blog post...i know this post is really really old but i would like to ask whether it is possible for me to do Dip in Civil Engineering and then only further my Degree in Architecture. because I only got offered for Dip in Civil Engineering in UiTM...failed to get chosen for UTM.
Thanks in advance! :D
Hi guys, sorry for the much delayed reply.
I'm glad that my posts had help so many inpired architects of the future. It's my pleasure to help you guys to achieve your dreams.
For what is required to bring: Bring everything you could for drawing or should I say - Sketching: ie pencils, sharperner, erasers, colour pencils (if you want).
Yes you can 1st do a diploma and then continue with a degree in Architecture, so no worries on that.
Regarding the Kolej Laila Taib(KLT) whether or not they offers LAM papers. I've no idea, you'll have to call them up, meet them in person and ask about it.
Cheers guys!
All the best to all of you
thank you for your advice. what should one take up in science hat would help in architecture.
In science, probably physics and chemistry because materials rigidivity, safety and structural stability is important besides the aesthetics.
Building architects works with civil engineers side-by-side. Gorgeous buildings without practical stability will not work. Just study as hard and as smart as you could.
Pick up some arts/digital design eg. Photoshop knowledge from the web through online tutorials. Spend some time looking at people's work and practice drawing.
With determination. you will achieve your dreams in no time =)
Good luck!
Heya fantastic blog! Does running a blog similar to this take a large amount of work?
I have no expertise in coding but I was hoping to start my own blog in the near future.
Anyway, should you have any suggestions or techniques for
new blog owners please share. I understand this is off subject however
I simply wanted to ask. Thanks a lot!
Have a look at my homepage - how much should i weigh for my age and height
Im 17 and gonna take my SPM this year. I would like to know, which PRE-U program is more advisable to take if I would like to study architecture in the future? I have two programs in my mind which are the New south wales Higher School Certificate (HSC) and south Australian Matriculation. Can I study architecture after taking one of these programs? and which do you advice is better?
THANK YOU :)
Hi, i get an interview from USM and it is on 13th May 2013(monday). I am a science student and just graduated from Labuan Matriculation. I have no knowledge about architecture. So i was wondering that could you give some advices about what should I prepare or what should I do?
About the models for the building.. I have no idea what's happening here.
May be some friendly advice would help..
Thank you..
Kindly reply to my email address
pinkcarol94@gmail.com
Hi to the person who's currently studying for SPM.
To be honest, I did not do both, I did STPM, but for all I know, any pre-U course could take you to study architecture.
It depends on which Uni you would like to enter, either a uni in NSW eg. UNSW, University of Sydey, or others.
For SAM, most probably will get you to University of Adelaide.
Not sure about the uni's in Victoria though (Uni of Melbourne, RMIT, or Monash).
I was in University of Melbourne for a semester and the architecture course over there wasn't bad. The more famous would be RMIT, which is a stone-throw away from UniMelb.
If your family has a tighter budget, you could do a twinning programme
or study at local universities. UM, UTM and USM has among the best architecture courses in Malaysia.
Make sure you have the interest and creative in designing stuff/good at drawing. Practice is essential.
All the best to you in your struggle in SPM and may your efforts be fruitful in the future.
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