Interior Design Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I automatically transfer into Interior Design?
- What are the minimum transfer admission requirements?
- What are my chances of being accepted into Interior Design?
- Where do I obtain an application and what is the deadline for submission?
- When will I know if i am accepted into the program?
- Will it help if I call to inquire about the status of my application?
- If I am accepted into Interior Design, how long will it take me to complete my degree?
- If accepted into the program, what are the performance expectations?
- What other rigors should I expect in this program?
- I have lots of questions; whom can I talk to about them? can I get my transcripts evaluated even though i have not been accepted into the program?
- Once accepted to auburn, should I go ahead and pay the admission deposit to secure my university slot or wait until the status of my INDS application is determined?
- What should I do? What advice can you give me?
- Would it be to my advantage to transfer into another major in the College of Human Sciences while waiting to see if I am accepted into INDS?
- Can I take INDS courses before I am admitted to the program?
- If I want to be an interior decorator, is this the major I want?
- Can I transfer coursework from another Interior Design program from another university?
- Should I register for classes during registration for the next term or should I wait until I find out if I am accepted into INDS?
- If someone leaves the program or is expelled from INDS during the year, will that vacant slot be filled with another applicant?
- Can I earn the International Minor in Human Sciences (IMHS)?
- Is Auburn’s interior design program nationally ranked?
- Can I get an Apple or Macintosh computer?
- What are the System Requirements for Adobe Creative Suite 3?
- Where can I get forms for applying to the INDS program or transfering into the INDS program.
1. Can I automatically transfer into Interior Design?
No. For on- and off- campus transfer students, admission to the Interior Design program is restricted. Students cannot automatically transfer into the program but must file an application. Transfer admission is granted on a space available basis and is highly competitive.
2. What are the minimum transfer admission requirements?
Transfer students must have a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative unadjusted GPA to file an application. In addition to this minimum GPA, students write a 1-2 page essay focusing on an aspect of design that inspires them. The essay is to be written as a research paper, carefully researched and organized. They must also submit a resume (including travel, work or personal experience related to design), official transcripts of all collegiate work, and may submit a portfolio from any previous design experience if applicable. This applies to on- and off-campus transfer students and to students in another major in the College of Human Sciences.
3. What are my chances of being accepted into Interior Design?
This program is in high demand among incoming freshmen and on- and off- campus transfer students. Therefore, the number of available spaces will be allocated between the freshmen and transfer applicants. Students with the strongest credentials are more competitive for admission into the program.
4. Where do I obtain an application and what is the deadline for submission?
Applications may be obtained from 266 or 308 Spidle Hall. Applications will be accepted beginning January 7, 2008, and are due no later than 4:45pm (central time) on Thursday, February 28, 2008.
5. When will I know if i am accepted into the program?
Students are automatically notified via e-mail about acceptance or rejection into the Interior Design program no later than Tuesday, April 15, 2008. Students who do not have an e-mail address must clearly note that information on the application in order to be notified by telephone.
6. Will it help if I call to inquire about the status of my application?
No. Do not call. You will automatically be notified via e-mail no later than April 15, 2008.
7. If I am accepted into Interior Design, how long will it take me to complete my degree?
The Interior Design program is a four-year degree. The coursework is sequential and most classes are taught only once per year. The number of available seats in studios is also limited to a maximum of eighteen (18) students. Students accepted into the program must begin the program with the fall term. Transfer students accepted into the program should anticipate that it will still take them four years to complete the studio sequence of courses, unless they have equivalent coursework from a previous related major such as Art, Architecture, or Building Science.
8. If accepted into the program, what are the performance expectations?
Students must earn a “C” or better in all required professional courses (i.e., required Consumer Affairs and other Human Sciences courses). Freshmen and transfer students admitted into INDS who earn two “D’s” or one “F” in required Interior Design and Human Sciences courses will be automatically expelled from the major. Students may not retake a course to retain their slot in the program. They are required to transfer out of the program immediately.
9. What other rigors should I expect in this program?
Design studios require six to eight hours of weekly in-class time plus a minimum of four hours outside of studio time. Studios are labor intensive. Current students report having very limited time for work and social/extracurricular activities. Additionally, students must budget more resources than for regular lecture courses because supplies for studio projects can be costly and a specific type of laptop computer is required for the program.
10. I have lots of questions; whom can I talk to about them? can I get my transcripts evaluated even though i have not been accepted into the program?
Information sessions are held each term for students (and their parents) interested in Interior Design. We strongly recommend that you try to attend at least one of these information sessions. Current staffing does not allow for individual conferences unless the students have been accepted into the program. Accepted students are assigned to Academic Advisors who are available during group and individual advising sessions to respond to questions.
An evaluation of previously completed coursework is conducted only as part of the transfer application evaluation (i.e., after applications are received February 28, 2008).
11. Once accepted to auburn, should I go ahead and pay the admission deposit to secure my university slot or wait until the status of my INDS application is determined?
Pay your admission deposit immediately. Do not wait. Students who fail to do so, may be disappointed to learn they have “lost” their place at Auburn University and, consequently, will not be able to accept an offer of an INDS position. Because on-campus housing is very limited, students should also apply for housing immediately after admission to the University.
SCHEDULED DATES FOR THE INFORMATION SESSIONS ARE HERE
ALL INFORMATION SESSIONS ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN 244 SPIDLE HALL.
We encourage you to jot down your questions as they come to mind so that they may be answered during the information session of your choice.
12. What should I do? What advice can you give me?
- Stay in your current major or other major of choice;
- Maintain a strong academic performance;
- Get some work experience in the field;
- File the completed application by the February 28, 2008 deadline;
- If you have not taken your core science—take Chemistry (CHEM 1010/1011 and 1020/1021) or Physics (PHYS 1500 and 1510) if you have a choice in your current major. These are the science requirements for Interior Design;
- Select from ARTS 1710, 1720, 1730, or ARCH 2600 for your Fine Arts core requirement;
- Complete your English Composition courses, ENGL 1100 and ENGL 1120;
- Complete MATH 1150 or higher;
- Complete your History sequence;
- Complete ECON 2020 for the Social Science Group II requirement; and
- If you have completed or are nearing completion of your core requirements, you can consider taking electives that will fulfill Interior Design Professional Electives.
13. Would it be to my advantage to transfer into another major in the College of Human Sciences while waiting to see if I am accepted into INDS?
No. In the Department of Consumer Affairs that houses Interior Design, there is another major, i.e., Apparel Merchandising, Design and Production Management (AMDP). This offers an Product Design and Production Management Option, but its coursework and the career paths are different from those in Interior Design. The Merchandising option has a lesser design and greater business focus. Consider transferring into AMDP only if one of the options is truly your first choice alternative to Interior Design.
14. Can I take INDS courses before I am admitted to the program?
No.
15. If I want to be an interior decorator, is this the major I want?
No. There is not a major on the Auburn campus that prepares one to be an interior decorator. This is an Interior Design program. An Interior Decorator is an individual who does not necessarily have a formal education in the field of design. Job responsibilities are to recommend finishes and furnishings within an existing space. For example, an interior decorator can recommend fabric for furniture or draperies. The professional Interior Designer is qualified by education, experience, and examination to enhance the function and quality of interior design spaces for the purpose of improving the quality of life, increasing productivity, and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
16. Can I transfer coursework from another Interior Design program from another university?
We can suggest courses that you might take at another university that would articulate with Interior Design if you are accepted into the Interior Design program.
17. Should I register for classes during registration for the next term or should I wait until I find out if I am accepted into INDS?
Students should register for a full course load under their current major during their pre-registration period. Student schedules can be adjusted later if accepted into the program.
18. If someone leaves the program or is expelled from INDS during the year, will that vacant slot be filled with another applicant?
Students do leave the program or they can be expelled from INDS due to unsatisfactory performance. That open position may be filled with a qualified freshman or transfer student if there is an applicant on the approved waiting list who can enter the program at the same level of the vacant position.
19. Can I earn the International Minor in Human Sciences (IMHS)?
Yes! Yes, Participation in the CHS@AU in Italy program is STRONGLY encouraged for Interior Design students. Adjustments can be made to the student’s schedule to allow the student to earn the IMHS by studying at the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University in Italy (CHS@AU in Italy) – our campus in Ariccia, Italy. Students who are interested in this program should make an appointment with Dr. Warfield, 308 Spidle, as early as possible in their academic program to begin planning for the most appropriate time to participate in this unique experience.
20. Is Auburn’s interior design program nationally ranked?
Yes, it is currently ranked #7 nationally among CIDA accredited programs as determined by Design Intelligence based on a survey of over 300 employers of interior designers.
21. Can I get an Apple or Macintosh computer?
Yes, but you will have to install Microsoft Windows XP (Pro or Home), or Vista Home Premium on the laptop, because AutoCAD will NOT install on a Mac based operating system.
22. What are the System Requirements for Adobe CS3?
Here are the system requirements for Adobe CS3. This is directly from the installation CD.
23. Where can I get forms for applying to the INDS program or transfering into the INDS program.
Form for incoming FRESHMAN to apply to the INDS program. Here or in room Spidle Hall 308.
Form for students applying to transfer into the INDS program. Here or in room Spidle Hall 308. |
