FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Our course curriculum has changed this year from being recognised as a Bachelor of Architecture (undergraduate) to a Masters of Architecture. Therefore it is a post graduate degree, however the original undergraduate curriculum has remained, and I am only in my 5th year of study in total. Does this still render me ineligible.

Yes. If you are currently registered as a masters student, you are ineligible to participate.

                                                                                          


I am an european student, I am undergraduate in "Building and Architectural Engineering". I was wondering if I am eligible to participate in your competition as an individual participant.

First, thank you for your interest. We need to know what your degree will be when you graduate. It appears, however, that your specific program is one in engineering, not architecture. You would not be eligible, therefore, to submit a Proposal alone. We urge you, however, to partner with another undergraduate in an architectural degree program and submit as a team.

                                                                                          


Just a quick inquiry: For the Berkley Essay Prize eligibility requirements, is an undergraduate student who is graduating from their degree in the next month, but not going onto a postgraduate degree for a year still eligible?

Unfortunately, you would have to be a registered as a full-time undergraduate at the time awards are made in the Spring, 2009 to be eligible to participate. Your interest, however, is important to us. Perhaps, you would tell your classmates about the BERKELEY PRIZE.

                                                                                          


The new question asks us to address a social tradition from our culture.

I am from the UK, does this mean I can only write about the British culture or can I use examples from elsewhere?

In your 500 word proposal to write the 2,500 word essay, make a case for the culture about which you are knowledgeable and can argue that its "traditional wisdom" has a great deal to offer designers pursuing the goals of a sustainable architecture.

                                                                                          


My school offers a preprofessional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree (M.Arch). I am in the undergraduate preprofessional program. Am i still elligible?

Yes, as long as you are an undergraduate in an architecture program in an accredited university.

                                                                                          


Should we register only when we have our 500 word proposal ready? Does the proposal submission include the registration process?

Feel free to set up a profile immediately, and submit your proposal any time prior to the deadline.

                                                                                          


Hello. I am a full time student majoring in Architecture of Interiores. It is a five year program at an accredited school in Europe. Am I eligible to participate in this competition?

You will be eligible if you team up with a full time undergraduate architecture student.

                                                                                          


Does the winner have the opportunity to hold the proposed competition, or is it strictly theoretical?

Yes, the Design Competition will be given to the most convincing argument. This is how it works: All contestants enter the Essay Competition. There are usually 100-150 entries. Of the top 25 scoring essays, 8-10 are sent to the Essay Jury; 12-15 of the top are invited to write a 3rd essay which argues for the Travel Fellowship. This year, a certain number of the top scoring essayists will be invited to write a 3rd essay, essentially a "contract" between the student's school and the Berkeley Prize, to hold the competition.

                                                                                          


I was wondering if being a semifinalist for the Essay Competition was a prerequisite for applying for the Travel Fellowship, or whether the Travel Fellowship Competition is open for all architecture students.

Only the top ranking Stage 2 essayists will be invited to compete for the Travel Fellowship.

                                                                                          


I am among semifinalists.can everyone give comment on my essay?the reviewers comments are from prize commitee?

No one, other than Berkeley Prize Committee members, has seen any essay proposal. Every essay proposal was reviewed by three members of the Berkeley Prize Committee. The reviews are "blind," meaning that the reviewer does not know the identity of the author, and vice versa. You can see who serves on the Berkeley Prize Committee by visiting the "Endowment" section of this website.

                                                                                          


how do we know if we are semifinalists?

The Semifinalists will be announced mid-January. Their names will be posted on the "Stage 2: Semifinalists" page at that time.

                                                                                          


I assume the personal interests/affiliations on the profile page has no impact on the evaluation of the essay, as they are marked anonymously. Is that correct? What is the information used for, and can I include information about my team partner?

The personal information has no bearing officially. However, we would like to begin to build an understanding of what interests undergraduates around the world, who are studying architecture. We want to find out what interests students around the world. We thank you for your participation in this endeavor.

                                                                                          


I wanna know if I can use a table in my essay?

No, no graphics may be included in the essay.

                                                                                          


What should we send you as a proof that we are undergarduate student?Also our university would give us OFFICIAL transcript when we graduate,so is it possible to send you unofficial transcript?

If you are selected as a Finalist we will ask your school to endorse your status as a full-time enrolled student majoring in Architecture before you will be invited to write the second essay. We will request either current transcripts or a letter from the head of your university.

                                                                                          


I am an undergraduate engineering student (computer engineering). I was wondering if I am eligible to participate in your competition jointly with my friend, who is an undergraduate student majoring in architecture.

Yes, you may, however, the principal member of the team must be your friend who is majoring in Architecture.

                                                                                          


While its not required to submit designs or drawings, is it actually possible to do so? Speaking on behalf of the essays that take the form of architectural (design) solutions.

Because this is an essay competition as opposed to a drawing competition, we cannot accept graphics. We are hoping that you will effectively illustrate your proposal with prose. Best of luck!

                                                                                          


Can we edit essays after december,10th and is it necessary to registrate somewhere else or just by having author portofolio?

No, you can't edit your essay once it has been submitted. And having submitted your essay, you have officially entered the competition. No other registration is necessary

                                                                                          


I participated twice in this competition. Once as a member of the group and secend time as an individual, participant. Can I participate in this way for the secend time or not?

Thank you for your inquiry. You may enter the competition once each year, either as an individual, or as a team member, but not both ways in one year.

                                                                                          


Will the bibliography submitted count towards the total word limit of the proposal essay?

Yes. However, I would advise that you integrate your references into your text as authoritative "voices", as you might in an article for a serious, daily newspaper.

                                                                                          


Two of us are teaming up, my friend has already registered with as an author, my question to you is that, Do I need to make my individual author profile (mentioning my team in the form provided) as well or should I simply put my name in his profile as a team member? In that case, aren't my student identification numbers and other details required?

Yes, place your name in his profile as a team member and if your team succeeds in becoming a finalist, then you will be asked to render your personal student details.

                                                                                          


Is there any particular format to the proposal? As in- Do I write about the technique and style I'm going to adopt as well as the issues I shall be addressing?

If by format you mean style, then the answer is, write simply and clearly, as you would in a letter to a friend who is eager to become well informed about your subject.

                                                                                          


How does a European student, where we do not differentiate between undergraduate and graduate, know if he is eligible? Do you consider bachelors and masters in the same way?

By undergraduates we mean students who are pursuing their first degree. In this instance only those working toward a bachelors degree or equivalent are eligible.

                                                                                          


It states on the eligibility page that an architecture student can pair up with a planning student for the writing of the essay. Do the students have to attend the same school? Or can they attend different schools which are both accredited?

No, the students can attend different schools, as long as one is an architecture student at an accredited school, while the other can be in urban studies or the social sciences.

                                                                                          


 

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