Journey of Self Evolution

Since college size is not very large, even the management was helpful and friendly. Any management issues were sorted easily with much hassles despite being a govt body.

National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA). I chose USAP at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University as I had received a positive feedback for an alumnus of the college. Its faculty at that time was well renowned and highly accomplished in their respective specializations.

The course was very well laid. It included intensive design and construction studios for all five years. Junior years had interesting electives which paid emphasis to research of urban and rural settlements. This helped one gain a lot of knowledge which could be applied to design and construction.Subjects in senior years are self driven courses which include a dissertation and thesis. This are rigorous and involve great opportunities for learning.

The faculty at college suggests some of the best design offices in the city and in the country where students apply and get selected due to intensive academic work portfolios.A fair number of students also work in the offices of faculty and visiting faculty itself.My experience was very good. The studio was a great place to get exposed to the professional side of the field. It helped me grow greatly as a professional.In 2009, stipend used to be something between 6-10k rupees p.m. Today, it varies from 10-15k p.m.

Since architecture offices are small to medium sized (5-50 persons) there are very few campus placements. However, all students secure jobs within 1-2 months of graduation in the metro cities or tier-2 cities.Salaries vary from 2.5 lacs to 4.5 lacs depending on the nature of work taken up by the employer.

Annual cultural + technical fest happens in the college grounds. Music and dance events and performers takes place. Exhibition of student's work and college's research work is also held. College participates in the NASA and Zo-NASA events on a regular basis.

As the university is funded by UGC, fee is subsidized but is yet much more than other undergraduate programs in govt. universities. Architecture also involves spending on stationary, model making materials and a good computer.

Scholarships are provided to department toppers at the end of year. Prize money is fairly small. Loans can be obtained from public banks.

College is quite active in co-curricular activities although most of them pertain to design and construction. College parties are highly refreshing and entertaining. For enthusiasts of different fields, there are options to indulge in other schools of the university. University has teams for all sports and other fields such as debate, theatre, robotics etc.

I was a day-scholar but lodging facilities are available on campus at reasonable rates. Food in canteen is decent.

Seniors and alumni are very helpful and friendly. College environment is relaxed and promotes inter-batch interaction providing great amount of exposure. While helping out seniors, juniors learn more from them than in studios.

The schedule is well packed with one studio (practical) and two lectures each day in the junior years. Studios are 3-4 hrs long but as they involve hands-on work, they're very engaging. In senior years, it is more about self study and working closely with one's guide.

As stated earlier, the faculty was well renowned and highly accomplished in their respective specializations. They motivate and challenge students to investigate new aspects of the field. They are very friendly and highly supportive in all the endeavours.