As an Architecture Scholars student, do I need to purchase a particular kind of computer or related software?
No, as an Architecture Scholars student or someone who plans to major in architecture, landscape architecture or planning, you do not need to purchase a certain computer or any specific software.
Almost all students do bring their own computer to school with them to have in their residence hall room or to use on campus. This is the computer you'll use to write papers, conduct Internet research, play music/movies, social networking, etc. Laptops are popular and the OSU wireless network is extensive.
For your architecture, landscape architecture, or planning work, you'll spend most of your time in Knowlton Hall, using the computers and software that we provide for students. These computers are accessible 24/7 to students. We provide top of the line machines and over 60 different software packages. As a student, you'll have access to all of this from day one and you'll also have your own storage space on the Knowlton School of Architecture network. You do pay a quarterly technology fee (this is typcially, regardless of which major you are in) to utilize the computers in Knowlton, but this fee provides at-cost printing (everything from 8.5"x11" upto large scale architectural sizes) and software that is always up to date. You also benefit from a full-time IT staff that provides maintenance to these machines. All the machines in Knowlton are PCs (not Macs), but you can choose whatever you like for your personal machine.
Why is this great news? One, as an Architecture Scholars student, you'll already spend a considerable amount of time in Knowlton Hall. You'll be encouraged to work collectively and with your peers, rather than working alone in your room. This is simply part of the school's culture and will benefit you tremendously as an architecture, landscape architecture or planning student. Seconday, you will use many different software programs as a student, and buying all of those programs and a powerful enough computer to run them would be prohibitively expensive and unnecessary (not to mention the fact that new versions of programs come out every year).
That being said, if there is one program that you might considering purchasing for your personal computer, it would be the Adobe Creative Suite (CS). You can actually get this through Ohio State for a huge discount over the retail price. Check Wired Out for discounts on Adobe products. The Design Standard package ($199), which includes Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, will be more than sufficient.*
You can also purchase Microsoft Windows software at a discount though Ohio State's UniPrint.
*Note that the current listing on Wired Out's website is for Adobe CS4. Adobe CS5 has been released. Check back to see if Ohio State will have the new version available this summer.
