Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: lismin
Age: 35

This course was not very useful - a comment I made at the time, way back in 2001.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: andyro
Age: 37

This is a massive burden for practicing interns - essentially - we need to take a week's vacation to complete this course, and it doesn't seem to improve our ability to function as professionals - according to our partners here.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: Alex
Age: 32

This would make the information more accessible to licensed professional as well. Mandatory in-class session should be held at the same time and place as the OAA annual conference/meeting as a convenience for both interns and architects (admission included in the cost of the course, of course). Paying to travel to Toronto once in an intern's career is not an onerous requirement.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: Charlie
Age: 48

This is essential information for registration.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: archkelly
Age: 26

This kind of information may be best issued in a lecture format and not as personal study material considering its dry nature-- but it would be preferable if the admission course could be offered in cities outside of Toronto considering the added costs of travel and lodging-- for instance, Ottawa, Kingston, and a northern city as well as Toronto.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: louise
Age: 43

Building Code, COntracts, Architects Act...these are all important items which are required for the practice of architecture - this is not interior design!

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: thomas
Age: 34

As an intern, I am already living in underpaid poverty. While $375 may seem like very little to those who come up with this price, it (together with three day's lost wages) is catastrophic.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: Donald
Age: 40

The course should be offered as part of the architectural curriculum in a university. Students should not only have academic knowledge but also practical knowledge of the profession by the time they graduate.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: Lisa
Age: 38

I would agree with this proposal provided the examination process actually tested ones direct knowledge of these areas. At least by attending the course you can be assured that a candidate has at least opened the documentation once before registration.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: shope
Age: 40

ConEd is optional and these topics may not be chosen by the prospective candidate. These should be mandatory.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: miug
Age: 55

Having to take the time off is a burden. The study materials could be in printed form, no different than other ARE, or other exam. materials

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: david
Age: 50

I never met a person who didn't enjoy and learn from the admission course. It is one of the few solid and useful traditions of the whole process.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: smcc
Age: 33

There is guarantee that people will read it even with a test at the end. This material was vital.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: k_clark
Age: 31

Information regarding contracts is valuable information for anyone looking to start their own business. A lot of the other information is touched on lightly in many schools professional practice courses and is duplicated at the Admissions Course maybe some of the course could be integrated into university requirements and some as con ed (?).

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: Chod
Age: 38

The opportunity to intern architects to assemble over a 3-day period is extremely important. An alternative might be to have two separate dates and/or locations for the OAA Admission Course (i.e., Ottawa in the fall, Toronto in the spring).

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: mills
Age: 34

I don't disagree with the Admission Course however having it only offer in Toronto is a problem. Also what about the interns that don't want to be licensed yet would like to use the term architect? Should they be forced to take the course?

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: orsachair
Age: 34

here were some comments from Ottawa's interns at a monthly meeting that took place last June: -the course should perhaps take the same approach as the OAA Conference; it should rotate around the province -the course should maybe evolve to a ConEd type of system, either self-directed, or offering courses which could be completed during the span of one's Intern-ship (courses could maybe be offered at the OAA Conferences). -if the course is to remain as a 1 week (or now 3 day) format, perhaps the required hours could be relaxed and less rigid...much of the information imparted is fairly basic so maybe Interns should be allowed to take the course after 1000hrs. If not, make the course more advanced so that we can actually take away new information from the course.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: Rem Koolhaas
Age: 30

The only part of the OAA Admission Course which isn't a total waste of time is the opportunity to meet, talk and network with our peers. Much of the content was covered in a professional practice course at school, which is where the CACB should be placing its efforts in certifying our education.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: Steve
Age: 34

Make it optional. If one feels the need to be engaged in this course then they may do so at their discretion.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: patrick trottie
Age: 43

The admission course was a blur for me. Too many instructions in a sit down sleepy manner. Not currently effective. Take home study/CON ED material is much more valuable as one has the opportunity to digest the material at ones own pace. Put the onus and power in the individual.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: viktrix
Age: 34

It is very useful for interns to have access to professionals within the industry outside of their own work environments. While I do not agreed with the full format of the course, as experience by myself, I do believe offering lectures or interactive workshops can be beneficial. Lectures / interactive workshops are significantly different from simply reading a manual. It would be worth looking at other mediums for interactivity like webcasts to allow interns to attend / contribute without the expense of missing work and finding accommodations in Toronto. In this thought, I am referencing webcasts administered by Autodesk for Revit which uses voting systems and email to allow participating from the global online audience.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: evanrutten
Age: 33

While I have many issues with the intern process, I 'enjoyed' the admission course. I think it is healthy to gather interns together to meet face to face the OAA, and receive first hand the information - as well as getting a feel for the association and their mandate. You cannot get that from a book. The legal information is essential and while maybe many interns are exposed to it in an office, others are not. While it is expensive, a disturbance, it is once and well worth it.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: cahandy
Age: 30

This material should be studied, and I lean toward it being mandatory. However, it must be left to interns to choose how they study. A 3-day course is burdensome wrt to time and money (esp lost wage) and the classroom is not the choice learning environment for many people. You need to recognise different learning styles.

Date:  Mar 17, 2008
User: mazen
Age: 47

I found this comprehensive course very helpfull

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: vikas
Age: 36

This is helpful for New immigrants who are new to systems..but the cost is difficult to manage.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: gigi
Age: 28

Well, I feel if such study material are avaliable, and they are such an important issue for us, they should already be covered in school and on our examinations. It should be optional, and sounds like only a means of networking.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: tesark
Age: 34

Perhaps offer an option to take an exam instead of the course, for those who think they can pass without it.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: Tommy
Age: 31

Lecture format can never replace study material and internet learning.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: Manoj Atri
Age: 46

The courses and exams do not formulate a pattern. They should follow the real estate courses pattern here in toronto. Take a course give an exam and move to the next course and so on. It needs to be completely streamlined. Follow OREA (ontario real estate associtation) format, for exams and courses along with contintued education etc.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: ideate
Age: 38

All important information required for licensure however why not include this in the ExAC curriculum or as mandatory Con-ed?

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: Carole
Age: 36

Quite frankly, it wasn't that helpful a course. Having something like the Chop is more useful as it can be accessed for specific issues.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: Daniel Gaito
Age: 58

Perhaps aspects can be study material based, but I think knowing the laws of the Province of Ontario must be mandatory for all Ontario Architects. Refreshers can be ConEd, but not the initial.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: Maissaa
Age: 38

we have to study this material three times: first for the required cources for the CACB certification, then for this admission course , & the third one is for the licensure exams. how is the intern expected to study & spend on all of those exams with the very well known long hours working, very low payments & expensive life here? it's almost like telling interns: ok this road is very hard as you already see, there are already licensed architects who control the market of the job, be happy with waht you have & don't do anything untill a miracle happens

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: nomada
Age: 37

So obvious it doesn't require further comment

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: lkasawat
Age: 40

This is more relevant to our practice here in Canada, we have already taken the other material at school.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: ginfaxi
Age: 32

I haven't taken it yet, but feel that this material is covered in professional practice courses during university as well as the NCARB exams. However, the material is very important and should be well understood, especially by independent practitioners. It is a bit of a frustrating extra hoop in an already very long series of hoops to jump through.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: KMTG
Age: 36

Although I have not yet taken the course, I currently lean towards the idea of keeping it. It seems like important information for all architects to have. Perhaps costs could be reduced rather than eliminating the course.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: Jacqueline
Age: 49

These 3 days are pretty important for young people entering the profession. As I recall, the content was a lot more practical than much of what we learned in University. The interaction with peers and the availabilty of "experts" to answer questions is of great value.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: Len Abelman
Age: 37

This couse was excellent! I got a lot more out of listening to it presented by specialist lecturers than if I had read it in a book.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: Hector Romero
Age: 52

In my case I already did it and it was useful but not the same as the practice and experience does.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: Martin M. Poizn
Age: 73

YES

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: Issam A Shukor
Age: 47

I think there is a conflice between the ARE study material and the obligatory addmission course. There is no sense in doubling the material for Interns. I recommend make Admission Course as part of the ARE exams.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: J. Denis Seguin
Age: 50

I found similar course very informative and it acted as a validation of what I learned from practicing architects.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: SabaAlMathno
Age: 32

I suggest that the admissin course be taken as soon as the person becomes an Intern not later.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: mcamp
Age: 27

At least offer the course as an online course or similar situation, as the travel cost, time away from work, and lodging cost make the course very expensive.

Date:  Mar 18, 2008
User: Archie
Age: 29

TRANSLATION: OAA CASH GRAB Its called a University Degree. EIther side with the Universities and meld with their courses, or give it up. Otherwise, keep your paws out of the poor interns' wallets.

Date:  Mar 19, 2008
User: intern007
Age: 51

This should be offered or covered by the university. The downside is that those who need to come a distance makes it harder.

Date:  Mar 19, 2008
User: Kori
Age: 38

Either maintain the Admission Course or replace it by adequate courses on this subject matter during University.

Date:  Mar 19, 2008
User: TinWolf
Age: 35

Is this course honestly setup to help professions? It, like many of the processess to gaining a license in this province appears to the common applicant as another obstecale without benefit. Don't offer courses without credit. There should be some incentive to take this course other then admission. Through experience we have all learned that classroom participation and review of things like Contracts and Building Code are note only ineffective and mindnumbing, but do not effectly express the relation between real life situation and textbook accounting. This course seems to be the very definition of CASH COW.

Date:  Mar 19, 2008
User: toni2
Age: 29

In its place, could a course be offered to help prepare Interns for the exams with more helpful information / resources - a support network could be initiated at this point.

Date:  Mar 19, 2008
User: erin
Age: 26

These elements seem to overlap with the professional practice courses I took over the course of my masters degree... Did they not count?

Date:  Mar 19, 2008
User: eleanor
Age: 34

offer live online lectures sessions with Q+A segments (as with USGBC's Carbon Reduction webinars).

Date:  Mar 19, 2008
User: doug pollard
Age: 63

These are core items for practicing not usually addressed in University and have been part of the post university program for everyone for ever while we all ahte paying for anything and while it is always difficult to find tese three days especially if you live out of town I think this should remain as a prerequisite not an educational add on

Date:  Mar 19, 2008
User: catiasplace
Age: 26

Extra or high costs of the intern process one of the reasons that it is difficult for Interns to begin or complete. We all know that Architectural salaries are not as high as other professional salaries and not every firm helps out with the costs to go through the intern process.

Date:  Mar 19, 2008
User: Shashank
Age: 41

This course is necessary for architects intending to practice and not for those to keep drafting throughout their lives.

Date:  Mar 19, 2008
User: feedmyego
Age: 26

as a masters student at an accredited university (UW) i can say that this material is already taught in our professional practice core courses...why am i forced to take the material twice, and then study it a third time in exam material later? it is utterly pointless to get accredited schools to teach us the material and then require us to do it all over again ONLY in toronto, ONLY for 3 days of the year. ridiculous. get the system straight. i think teaching it in schools is the right move and an optional conEd course for those who didnt attend an accredited school.

Date:  Mar 19, 2008
User: mnsa
Age: 39

Leaving the admission course to be done as self-learning using study material will not guarantee that candidates will actually perform the work. I remember attending the OAA Admission Course in 2001 and witnessing attendees leaving the sessions shortly after the start following sign-in. Attendance at the Admission Course is still no guarantee that candidates will actually complete the prerequisite coursework. Something has to be done to ensure intern architects are "learning the ropes".

Date:  Mar 19, 2008
User: Shawn
Age: 36

The admissions course does not need to extend over the time period it does and in all honesty this is material that should be covered in school.

Date:  Mar 19, 2008
User: alejandro
Age: 24

yes eliminate it, streamline the process and save everyone energy!

Date:  Mar 20, 2008
User: OlaM
Age: 26

These topics are covered, possibly not in as much depth, as apart of our professional practice course in the masters degree. It seems like it may be an overlap in courses. A resource manual may be of more use as a reference tool throughout the internship process.

Date:  Mar 20, 2008
User: intern4ever
Age: 40

Course had limited value.

Date:  Mar 20, 2008
User: asling
Age: 29

While I believe having the class is in an intern's best interest, charging so much for a mandatory course is ridiculous.

Date:  Mar 20, 2008
User: Nathalie
Age: 41

It is a good idea to sit potential applicants down and walk them through the process. However, perhaps the course could be reduced to 1 day (at a lesser cost) as an overview, and put the additional information in a Con Ed format for additional study later.

Date:  Mar 21, 2008
User: nbnb
Age: 27

The expense, travel and number of days to take off work should be a first indication that this is not a valid forum for anyone on an intern's paycheck.

Date:  Mar 21, 2008
User: archipunjabi
Age: 32

It did not bother me because my company pays for it, so whether it is mandatory or as a part of Coned, I do not mind doing it.

Date:  Mar 22, 2008
User: alan
Age: 34

I believe that intern architects would benefit from the knowledge of the business of architecture currently offered in the OAA Admission Course. This is common practice in both Europe and Asia where interns are examined on business practice. In many ways, it is more beneficial to an intern than the NCARB exams.

Date:  Mar 23, 2008
User: s z
Age: 35

This was a good course when I attended (albeit many years ago), and likely the first if not only exposure to these issues many interns are getting at this point in their career. Furthermore, if interns are getting exposure in their offices, there is a better than average chance, in my opinion, that they are not getting the proper or complete picture.

Date:  Mar 24, 2008
User: Ron Milne
Age: 74

I believe that at least a fundamental working knowledge of all four topics is a prerequisite to becoming an architect. I also beleive that as a provincial organization we have to consider that Toronto is not the centre of the universe. I am a member of the ADR and as a resident outside Toronto I can paricipate in seminars/workshops etc through teleconferencing. Can the OAA consider such a format?

Date:  Mar 24, 2008
User: Derek Newby
Age: 35

I found the course to be very useful. The seminar setting is more effective than home study as it allows interaction between interns and the presenters. The course formalizes parts of what is an otherwise erratic process, and has a value.

Date:  Mar 25, 2008
User: Torontonian
Age: 27

Admission course tunes one into thinking locally even if acting globally.

Date:  Mar 25, 2008
User: D. Cardinal
Age: 34

The course was good! No one will read that dry stuff on their own time.

Date:  Mar 25, 2008
User: gilbert
Age: 28

Availability as a study material does not mean people will read it. The course covers basic knowledge that should be known. If there are less exams, I do not think also eliminating the Admission Course is going to benefit our profession.

Date:  Mar 26, 2008
User: intern
Age: 35

The course should be mandatory taken before registration, but the course can be delivered in many different ways, for example, online according intern's schedule over a course of several months, as opposed to three days in a row. The lecture format should still be made available for those who prefer to complete the course in such format and in three days straight.

Date:  Mar 27, 2008
User: david agro
Age: 44

I found the OAA course VERY useful (mine was five days). This was especially the case with 10 years of experience working in Ontario and elsewhere. It is easy to see why this stuff is boring, but if you look into the trouble some architects get into because of legal or contract issues, you can see the relevance of this material. It seems to me that the OAA course is most valuable after you have about 3-5 years of experience, especialy after you have had experience administering contracts or dealing with disputes. This material is too abstract to be understood in university.

Date:  Mar 27, 2008
User: Robert
Age: 37

I ended up waiting 3 years to get into the course because the first year it was booked. The 2nd year i called earlier than what was stipulated and that was booked solid by then as well. Third time around i called at the approriate time to be told it was booked solid again where i had to become very irate with an unresopnsive association that finally after much time wasting was given the honour of attending a course that would deter any fledgling intern architect of joining a profession under the confines of such an ill- conceived umbrella as the oaa

Date:  Mar 27, 2008
User: alexis
Age: 40

The oaa admission course is not good value for money, especially when one does not live in the Toronto area. A correspondence course that also includes marketing and ethics would be very advantageous. Many items in the present course (taken 2004) are already cover (in principle) in the ARE exams.

Date:  Mar 27, 2008
User: AYoung
Age: 26

This material is taught at my University and should be made a mandatory section of all architectural curriculum. It should not be eliminated but rather if interns have already taken the course, then they should not have to pay an additional $375 to take it again.

Date:  Mar 28, 2008
User: Name with held
Age: 30

I'll answer this question with a question. How can a course be not mandatory for licensing, yet still be part of the repetoire of courses that is deemed important enough for licensed architects to have to take if they want to keep their license ? IF this ConEd course is required before submitting for licensing then there must be the proviso that interns have first call on available space in the course. I can't count the number of times I would have liked to take a ConEd course either for interest sake or to claim a few hours of experience (learning) in a very specific category yet heard - "oh it's all filled. There were only so many openinings. The licensed architects have to take this to maintain their license." What a great way to keep interns as a convenient meek source of underpaid labour who won't object to overtime if such a course were kept as an impossible obstacle ! Think very carefully about how this one is implemented. The devil is in the details.

Date:  Mar 28, 2008
User: neil.white
Age: 38

Understanding this material is vital to a firms success. Individual study may not be as useful as the lecture format.

Date:  Mar 29, 2008
User: ar-cad
Age: 40

when the interns r already writing exams then why do they have to take this course. they ll prepare themselves for all this to get through in the exams. its very difficult for the new immigrants to pay 100s n 100s of dollars.

Date:  Mar 29, 2008
User: Cory Stechyshyn
Age: 44

This material is extremely useful - my opinion, however, would be to provide the material prior to licensure (following successful completion of licence examinations). In addition, this material should always be offered at the Continuing Education level as it is very pertinent, forever changing and is always a good referesher course.

Date:  Mar 29, 2008
User: mustafa
Age: 35

what ever the course you want to keep its upto you and team member but please explain how to persue

Date:  Mar 30, 2008
User: mj2knapp
Age: 29

It's important that Ontario Interns know this information. Have the Certification Boards ensure that the Universities are including it in the Architecture curriculum so upon graduation students can be admitted to OAA internship.

Date:  Mar 31, 2008
User: anon
Age: 38

I am an intern who is faced with the prospect of RETAKING the admission course...as it has been 10 years since I fist took it and it apparently EXPIRES!....Finally finishing the exams seems anticlimatic.

Date:  Apr 01, 2008
User: erin
Age: 24

Eliminate travel burdens where they are not necessary. Written study materials are just as effective and less disruptive. Testing will determine whether materials have been absorbed. Allow the interns to determine their own program of preparation.

Date:  Apr 01, 2008
User: Hugo E. Slepoy
Age: 64

The Course shoyld be mandatory as part of the architectural curriculum at the university and the programs control by RAIC

Date:  Apr 01, 2008
User: Meshah
Age: 39

Offer the seminar study material on-line and reduce the 3-day to a 1-day course. Make it optional so people who can join in take the benefit of it however those who are not able to make it can cover the material on-line and join-in remotely.

Date:  Apr 01, 2008
User: jayleb
Age: 27

We just went through all of this information in our mandatory profession and practice courses, within our respective professional programs. In fact the OAA even came to speak to our class on several occasions... Slightly redundant...

Date:  Apr 01, 2008
User: Joyce
Age: 26

At the very least, if it is decided to keep the course as mandatory, it should be offered in different cities. Being from Ottawa it's difficult as it is to go to Toronto while working, so if it is so critical that this course is mandatory the arrangements would be made to offer it locally, or not mandatory at all.

Date:  Apr 01, 2008
User: Alena Knizat
Age: 46

We learn in the process, no need for Admission Course at all. Learning by correspodence will be much better, no waste of time.

Date:  Apr 02, 2008
User: Denise Lepage
Age: 49

That depends on what the options are. I would trade off writing an exam or two fro attending a course any day! I liked the admission course, enjoyed meeting other interns, the trip to Toronto. The material is very dry and recieving it in a lecture format improves retention for me. The course was an aid in preparing for two ARE exams which I wrote soon after attending.

Date:  Apr 02, 2008
User: A Gaus
Age: 27

Eliminate the mandatory course completely. Introduce a new mandatory course to be taken before the ExAC which incorporates a review of this information as well as other materials to be covered in the exam.

Date:  Apr 04, 2008
User: George
Age: 37

The ritual of an admissions course serves the intern more then what is being learned

Date:  Apr 04, 2008
User: internarchitect
Age: 28

Amalgamating it into ConEd would be good but it really should be taught in schools as part of the curriculum.

Date:  Apr 05, 2008
User: 1hk1
Age: 37

A lot of this material was covered in University. If the OAA feels like a seminar is needed, why not reduce down to one day, offer it on a Saturday at various cities in the province a few times a year? No one should need to take vacation days to attend a professional development seminar.

Date:  Apr 07, 2008
User: __ap
Age: 28

I found it a valuable experience but only as a way to meet other interns. I do find a lot of the information is best addressed in a lecture format; having said that, I've already studied and been tested on the material multiple times (ie: undergraduate studies, professional degree and ARE)

Date:  Apr 08, 2008
User: R Hip
Age: 31

The topics appear to be things I have been exposed to during both degrees (not to mention on the job, even before becoming an Intern) I hope to take this course one day so I can have an informed opinion about it, though.

Date:  Apr 09, 2008
User: gejb
Age: 39

Oppurtunity for exchange of information, questions to professional lecturers is always helpful.

Date:  Apr 09, 2008
User: wing nut
Age: 39

I had hoped 5 years of school was enough. Clearly its not for the profession. If I have an overall concern about all continuing education matters run by the OAA it is that they do not have the same educational skills as institutions such as Universities. As an individual who has some challanges like ADHD and dsylexia I could find support and appropriate accomodations with a regular learning institute. The OAA has everything very boiler plate and ultra-burocratic. Not particularly accomodating for people who learn or think differently than those inside the "bell curve" The OAA seems to pay little attention to people such as myself who on the one hand are frequently labelled "Creative types" who would seem to be an important part of the architectural community. In creating all of the hoops to jump through they consistiently disuade individuals such as myself from participating in the profession. For me taking exams in the prescribed formats and keeping on top of the required paperwork for the OAA, accreditation, certification, Con Ed etc is akin to doing taxes 5 times per year without the benefit of an accountant. E.g. the OAA caters entirely to left brain functionality. Persoanlly I would be happy to pay the OAA a little more annually to have a facilitator within the organization helping to get me into the profession and not put me off with more forms, politics and bullshit at every turn. I know I have to earn the experince and pass exams, no debate there whatsoever. But please, lets consider some other ways of doing things. I cannot count the number of my contemporaries in my school of architecture who had exceptional talent and skill in the field who said "Screw it" the burdens of becoming an Architect proper, outweigh the payback. Ultimately the proffession loses out as a whole.As such so does the pulic, whom the OAA seems to hold so near and dear to it heart. E.g. The OAA is cutting off its nose to spite its face here.

Date:  Apr 10, 2008
User: marc
Age: 36

All of the above should be a part of the education of an architect.

Date:  Apr 10, 2008
User: deanna
Age: 28

why not have it as a mandatory course through distance or online resources.

Date:  Apr 11, 2008
User: jlhr
Age: 27

While I have not taken this course yet the fact that it is only once a year is a problem. I was going to sign up for the one this June but I missed the January application deadline because I was just finishing school. Also the cost is very high and Intern income is very low - the cost of the class is 30% of my paycheque. I can take a University of Toronto Course for a whole semester (39 hours of course) for $400.

Date:  Apr 11, 2008
User: jsbaker
Age: 35

The 3-day course is better than the 5-day one I was subjected to, but there is still limited value.

Date:  Apr 11, 2008
User: rhizome
Age: 44

Do other provinces require this? Not to my knowledge, so why Ontario?

Date:  Apr 14, 2008
User: Amy Huddleston
Age: 29

I do not feel that the course should be eliminated. However I do feel that the course should be offered to Interns at the beginning of their internship rather than towards the end. The information that was taught during the admissions course I went to was basically a recap of what I had already been doing every day for the previous 3 years. If the course was offered to me before I began my interneship it woudl have been a more useful learning tool.

Date:  Apr 14, 2008
User: Michelle
Age: 26

This could also be incorporated into the M.Arch program at accredited schools.

Date:  Apr 15, 2008
User: darchitect
Age: 37

1) the course is the first of many that architects will spend their lives going to, it is good practice to get into the habit of doing this. 2) the course covers valuable material 3) the oaa should offer the course periodically in places besides toronto; toronto is not the centre of the universe and there is no reason to not offer the course in Ottawa (where there happens to be a school of architecture!) or select northern/western locations on some sort of cycle. It could even be offered as part of the annual conference.

Date:  Apr 15, 2008
User: Nancy
Age: 28

In order for interns to have a collective voice and share experiences, it is important for them to meet.

Date:  Apr 15, 2008
User: TomK
Age: 32

I don't think the admission course is a great obstacle. Especially since it seems to have been reduced to 3 days from one week. For me, the admission course helped kick off the exam process and it was a chance to learn a little more about the profession. While I was in school, we virtually had no contact with the OAA, so the admission course helped me find out what it was about. Another solution would be to teach this content to students while in school. It's general enough that it would apply to students from out of province.

Date:  Apr 15, 2008
User: typern
Age: 35

There are professional related study materials that are preferable to be aknowledged early in the process by every intern.

Date:  Apr 15, 2008
User: markazi
Age: 54

IF I CAN LEARN OBC IN THREE DAYS AND PASS THE TEST I LOVE TO PAY

Date:  Apr 15, 2008
User: evelyn
Age: 33

These are important issues. And I think that it is more an issue of timing as studying takes time. I like the idea of "getting it over with" in 3 days time as opposed to studying for a month or so.

Date:  Apr 18, 2008
User: Amin
Age: 40

If it is left for indevidules to study it there is a possibility that they would never do so!!!

Date:  Apr 19, 2008
User: Slagglepuss
Age: 37

Absolutely...get rid of the Admission Course..it is a waste of time!!

Date:  Apr 24, 2008
User: ravk
Age: 32

I think the admission course does give a good oppurtunity to network and hear different opionion from different people. It is a good oppurtunity to meet people especially when one is young and you have not studied here, to know more people. Also reading a study material is not the same as to have a discussion with so many people. Maybe all of us have not had the expereince in the above mentioned subjects as we are still in the process of getting the expereince in the requisite categories, maybe discussions just help to understand them better.

Date:  Apr 24, 2008
User: arch_intern78
Age: 29

This information is already covered in 2 professional practice courses at the Masters Level at the University of Toronto. (In my experience)

Date:  Apr 26, 2008
User: Chris
Age: 38

I enjoyed most of the Admission Course sessions - hearing the speakers and listening to the dialogue was valuable - as was the opportunity to meet other interns. I don't feel that written material carries the same value. Although the Building Code session of the Admissions Course is perennialy voted as the most valuable, I found it to be much too basic - my strong preference was for the sessions on contracts and the law.

Date:  Apr 26, 2008
User: senior
Age: 53

Self Study material be made available & 3 day course be made optional.

Date:  Apr 28, 2008
User: rima
Age: 41

This is vital information that even long practicing architects with all the reference material on their shelves either forget, neglect or fail to pay attention to. It is imperative for architects starting in the profession to get first hand exposure to these topics. Making it easier to register should not mean doing away with the standards of the profession. I would suggest that even registered architects should take a refresher. If it is to be eliminated a test should be added to the ExAC to ensure competency.

Date:  Apr 28, 2008
User: Jayant
Age: 32

Practices should be required to pay for the course and travel as part of the employee benefits. For many interns it is difficult to pay for the course, travel, and the loss of income.

Date:  May 02, 2008
User: nguyenMSA
Age: 27

This course should be offered as part of the University curriculum. Shouldn't have to be something you find out about after you graduate.

Date:  May 03, 2008
User: Dacad
Age: 58

Money grab, that's it. Same with books which you must buy to start internship. Oh my peddlers of doom...

Date:  May 06, 2008
User: Tmac
Age: 37

This should be part of the Arch School curriculum. My perception of attendants was that of mandatory attendance. After a few years in the real world this stuff should be obvious.

Date:  May 15, 2008
User: S.B.G.
Age: 25

Many interns are equally, if not better, capable of studying on their own from provided material without the expense, inconvenience, and inflexibility of a mandatory course. Another option that would accommodate those who prefer the lecture format but wish to avoid the expense and travel would be to arrange for online seminars. There are many services available to facilitate this option.

Date:  May 15, 2008
User: Shirley Ting
Age: 32

Taking the course in a class is better than doing continuing education, there is no guarantee everyone will do the continuing education outside of a class room structure. As it is an intern's life even a registered architect's life is already busy enough with the typical demands of the profession.

Date:  May 20, 2008
User: Lea W
Age: 39

This material should be mandatory but included in the exams. The course could be optional.

Date:  May 30, 2008
User: H.H.
Age: 33

The course is valuable (though not all lectures/formats are ideal) and should be required during the Internship. Having it as Con-Ed means that some members may never end up taking the course.

Date:  Jun 02, 2008
User: SK_C
Age: 38

This is doing stuff over and over again.

Date:  Jun 11, 2008
User: leadfoot
Age: 40

It was 5 days when I took mine in 2002 and was very helpful....better to be taught in person rather than by book or online.

Date:  Jun 17, 2008
User: tinac
Age: 31

make it an online course with aan exam at the end, saves on travel and lost wages.

Date:  Jul 20, 2008
User: edcuhaci
Age: 78

reduce the cost by at least 60%

Date:  Jul 30, 2008
User: Licutus of Borg
Age: 45

Thanks for the freedom of choice!

Date:  Aug 21, 2008
User: sonya
Age: 33

Would allow people to study the material according to their own schedule.

Date:  Aug 22, 2008
User: elizabeth
Age: 57

Frankly, now only should it be a ConEd course (at an advanced level), but I think that the schools should offer it as a course to students as part of their last few years as part of Professional development. It seems perfectly reasonable to me that students should learn the basic of codes (keeping people safe in bldgs), managing contracts (looking to clients $ and working with a team), and about their responsibilities. I took courses in all these things when at school at the University of Mtl and they served me well giving me a solid understanding of the "concepts" rather than a rote course on the specifics.

Date:  Oct 02, 2008
User: dave
Age: 33

National,Provincial and Municipal building codes SHOULD be part of the OAA Admission course. but the course itself should not be too lengthy. Something has to be done to shorten the amount of course time.

Date:  Oct 06, 2008
User: joelb
Age: 34

I think it is beneficial to sit people down and go through this material, however brief. Travelling to Toronto is a pain. Allow more flexibility and choice as to where, when, and how long people want to cover this material. I support the lecture format. There is duplication with some of this material and ARE.

Date:  Mar 22, 2009
User: jimes
Age: 32

If I'm not mistaken a majority of this content is covered in the schools. Make content more practical to firm ownership, or business practices. Topics such as business proposals, CoP issues and the like. Divide it into two parts: a mandatory 1-1/2 days of Building Code, Legal and Contractual Matters for those who didn't go to an accredited school, where it'd be a good source to learn about local implications; and another 1-1/2 days for the above group and accredited-degree holders on practical matters.