Is this the average architectural program?

-I am asking this on behalf of my younger sister, who is entering her second year of of the architectural program at the local state university.



My sister went into her first year expecting to work hard, work fast, and work late in the studio often. However, this year the studio professor has the entire class staying at the studio until 2-4am (or later) EVERY night (and weekends) in order to complete the assignments he has given them. Plus, constantly, he is changing his assignment and saying "Oh, I meant to tell you this" or "No, I wanted you to do that." This makes the entire class have to change their projects midstream. He occasionally holds class on Saturdays and sometimes even dismisses class because "I meant to tell you, you need to to buy a used four stroke engine for this assignment" (for example) "go out and find one from a junk yard." He even suggests to the class from time to time to have alcohol to calm their nerves (note, this is a class with minors mixed in it).



She has been told that this is the normal pace which they will work for the next four years along with her normal course studies. She is Phi Theta Kappa and was (and is) prepared to work hard, but she can't even see straight right now and is very, very, very stressed and has us worried. Is this normal? Working to 4am everyday, changing assignments mid-stream, etc, etc. If it is, to what end?! This is just ridiculous. Is this just a bad program at this school or...I don't know. I'm just worried because she is so unhappy and saying that she doesn't know what to do. She's wanted this for SO MANY YEARS, I'd hate to see her burn out so soon. Is this only a "first year initiation" sort of deal? My major is no where near this, so I'm clueless about this stuff and am not sure what to tell her.



Thanks so much for your help. I appreciate it.The four stoke engine seems a little weird, but my son just complete the program at Ball State.

It was normal for him to be in studio until the wee hours of the morning and on weekends.

Architectural programs are demanding. Very few make the cut. I wish your sister the best of luck /