GRADUATE OPEN HOUSES 2026

September 17, 2026 • Dr. Architecture

Graduate Open Houses 2026

Graduate Open Houses are an excellent means to visit a campus and interact with students and faculty. You have an opportunity to see the facilities and view student work up close. If you have never been to the locale of the school, you can see the local town or city. Graduate Open Houses can be an essential tool in making your decision. However, the issue was the cost of time and money. Many times, these events are held on a Friday making it nearly impossible to attend if you were a current undergraduate or even an emerging professional.

At these events, you would have an introduction to the graduate programs in architecture and other degrees along with having a discussion with current students.

When you attend a Graduate Open House, be prepared with questions to ask both the faculty and students represented. Even try to have discussions with other prospective student as they may be your classmates.

Another question to consider is whether you attend an Open House in the fall as you apply or in the spring after you learn of your admission decision. Attending in the fall is helpful as you can discuss questions on the application process and how a program makes decisions. Attending in the spring may be more helpful as you know are admitted and can discuss financial aid options.

Other Options

If because of schedule or other reason you cannot attend a Graduate Open House, what else can you do. At minimum, visit their website for details on the program, but also contact them to schedule a phone appointment with the director or graduate director. Ask for the names of current students or recent alumni to connect with to discuss the program. Perhaps not surprisingly, many programs have virtual tours of their facilities and school via their website. Many programs are still having remote lecture series – attend to learn more about the culture / life of the program.

Graduate Open Houses are an excellent way to determine if a program is a good fit for you; take advantage of these events.

GRADUATE OPEN HOUSES / INFORMATION SESSIONS – Date order (NOTE: Just a limited list of Open Houses)

Washington University – September 15, 2026

https://samfoxschool.washu.edu/calendar/events/2173-virtual-open-house-graduate-architecture-programs

Arizona, University of – September 22, 2026

https://capla.arizona.edu/events/grad-programs-open-house

ONLINE: Minnesota, University of – Dates through October and December 2025

https://design.umn.edu/graduate-admissions/arch-info-sessions

VIRTUAL: Virginia, University of, Date to be determined

https://www.arch.virginia.edu/events/graduate-virtual-events-fall-2025

IN-PERSON / ONLINE: Maryland, University of – In person: October 16; Virtual: October 6, November 12, 2026

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjy5yI4HUX2CtfxpmenHuBrEYDTikoKxY82tukdCG0p-l37g/viewform

ONLINE: Boston Architectural College – Date to be determined

https://the-bac.edu/visiting-the-bac

IN-PERSON / ONLINE: Colorado-Denver, University of – September 25 (Virtual), October 9, October 23 (Virtual), November 6, November 20 (Virtual), December 4, 2026

https://application.admissions.ucdenver.edu/portal/CAPGRADINFOSESSION

Tennessee, University of – October 12, 2026

https://archdesign.utk.edu/academics/graduate-programs/architecture-march/

Southern California, University of – IN-PERSON: October 23; VIRTUAL: October 26, 2026

IN-PERSON: https://arch.usc.edu/events/graduate-programs-open-house

VIRTUAL: https://usc.zoom.us/meeting/register/wFjTZPxqTcGPZmXauukUQg#/registration

IN-PERSON: Columbia University – October 26, 2026

https://www.arch.columbia.edu/admissions/open-house

VIRTUAL: Georgia Institute of Technology – October 15, October 29, November 12, 2026

https://arch.gatech.edu/2026-virtual-open-houses

VIRTUAL: Los Angeles, University of – October 27, 2026

https://www.aud.ucla.edu/admissions