<p>Hi, I'm currently a sophomore in high school and am wondering what my actual chances are to get into my dream school (Cornell) for their architecture program. Here is my course load and other miscellaneous things I think are important:</p>
<p>Thus far, I have taken 3 AP classes (human geo, world, art history). I plan on taking 4 junior year (calc ab, environ sci, lang/comp, drawing portfolio or 2d studio design), and 4 senior year (calc bc, lit, american gov, physics). The rest of my classes are pretty much entirely honors. My cumulative GPA is 4.91 and I am ranked 5th in my class of about 700 students. My PSAT score is 175 without any prep classes.</p>
<p>I am taking intro to engineering to familiarize myself with the CAD program and plan on taking at least one more engineering class. I have taken 3 spanish classes, beginning in 7th grade and am taking drawing/painting to improve my artistic abilities.</p>
<p>I co-founded and am the vice president of a Music Appreciation club that I have started at my high school. We are currently planning a benefit show (a battle of the bands) to raise money for our school's art programs and later on, other music organizations. I applied to the NHS at my school and plan on joining the lacrosse team this year, or if it is too late, next year. Music is my main focus besides architecture (I play guitar and am learning classical piano). Besides my club, I am part of a musical group (I've played 2 gigs with them) to help raise money for my brother with diabetes.</p>
<p>For the past two summers, I held camp jobs and have accumulated just over 400 service hours through this and a few other things. Besides this, I also took a SAT in 7th grade and was accepted into the Duke TIP summer program where I studied architecture at Kansas U.
This summer, I am applying to an architecture exploration program at U of Miami.</p>
<p>What else should I do to better my chances to get accepted to Cornell?</p>
<p>To be honest, it’s hard to tell if you’ll be able to get into an Ivy League just by sophomore year. You are on the right track, but we don’t know enough info yet to really give you a good idea of your chances. Keep up the good work!</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1290108-chance-me-mit-harvard-ill-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1290108-chance-me-mit-harvard-ill-chance-back.html</a></p>
<p>I think your definitely on the right track.
Going to the architecture exploration program this summer will really convey your passion for architecture, which is good. In terms of bettering your chances, The only thing I can really think of is you trying to get some sort of non paid internship, summer opportunity, co - op position, at an architectural firm sometime in grade 11 or the summer before you head into grade 12. </p>
<p>You still have half of high school to go and could end up doing some really cool, big things with the music club you started which will show your leadership abilities. Just keep doing what your doing; doing what you enjoy. : )</p>
<p>suggestions for me?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1290457-chance-me-u-chicago.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1290457-chance-me-u-chicago.html</a></p>
<p>You’re definitely on the right track academically (though you should make sure your SAT scores get higher), and you have very solid extracurriculars, but as of right now, you don’t really stand out. However, you’re only a sophomore so you still have plenty of opportunities to show your uniqueness through your extracurriculars.</p>
<p>PSAT of 175 is not considered a good score by any standards, even without prep. Prep really hard this summer, and nail it when it counts junior year. Good Luck</p>
<p>I respectfully disagree with the above poster. 175 is a perfectly fine score without prep; of course, on the actual PSAT and SAT you’ll want much higher, but it’s certainly very possible. My first PSAT score without prep (on a practice test, but I feel it was an accurate practice) was 191, and I was able to get up to 236 on the real PSAT in a few months by just taking practices, so I’m sure you’ll be able to get your score up as well.</p>
<p>Hi,
I am a current architecture student at Cornell University. Everything looks great. They like seeing people take leadership roles and also explore creativity in various ways (which you have proven in your extracurricular endeavors).</p>
<p>Your choice to take art classes is A GREAT STEP-- super critical/imperative! Your portfolio is critical (also don’t be afraid to put any unusual creative things in your portfolio - for example, if you have composed a song on your guitar or designed/sewn a dress or made an art installation) I don’t know… but basically, let me warn you: knowing CAD or Rhino or Maya or 3DSMax will not impress the admissions committee… You are going to come to Cornell to learn these ‘hard skills,’ your ‘soft skills’ such as creativity, motivation, and curiosity are things that they cannot teach or inspire… so you need to prove that. If you are ever faced with a choice to include a CAD drawing or a painting… a Rhino model or a paper model… etc etc… ALWAYS pick the NON-CAD one.</p>