<p>I'm still a junior in high school and am not quite to the point of the whole admissions process. However, I am almost positive I want to major in architecture and have become interested in the career discovery program. Needless to say, it comes at a bit of a cost. Has anyone gone through the program and found it extremely helpful/beneficial? Will participating/not participating in the program affect my chances of acceptance in any way later on? And one last question, I was told by someone in the architecture office that a portfolio was not required but was "strongly recommended." I plan on preparing a portfolio, but any idea of how vital these are in acceptance? Any information/advice will be greatly appreciated..thank you!!</p>
<p>I am of virtually no help on this but I will bump your post up. If no one responds, get in touch and I will send some emails out and see what I can find for you.</p>
<p>thanks for the help!</p>
<p>I have a friend who is an architecture intent. I'll ask her if she knows anything about this. I apologize in advance if it takes a couple days for me to get back to you- I have a horrendous amount of work to do this week.</p>
<p>Jonoam - My daughter attended the "Career Discovery in Architecture" the summer after her sophomore year in high school. (She's now a freshman @ BC). She loved it - - For her it was worth every cent. She flew back there by herself (from California) and knew absolutely no one else in the program. She thought it was an amazing program and a fun experience overall - living in the dorms, making friends from all over the country, etc. It was a very well run program - She was presented with information on a career in architecture from so many areas - Professors taught them actual classes, grad students held seminars, they had "field trips" to local areas to experience different architectural styles, working architects came in to give presentations. Probably most important to her, she learned that architecture wasn't really what she would want to do... She didn't really think it was her "strength". I think she didn't feel as strong in the design area. I'm so glad she realized this before applying to architecture programs. She decided to go into business - acctg/finance/mis. However, many of the students who attended the program stayed in architecture.</p>
<p>oops... one more thing!!</p>
<p>I don't know for sure whether it would help with actual Notre Dame admission, but I would assume it could - for a few reasons... First, it would show Notre Dame that you have a true interest in their school. Secondly, they would know that you had quite an exposure to all aspects of architecture and so were pretty well educated in your career path. Thirdly, since you are actually taught by professors in the school of architecture, I'm sure you could get to know them and, possibly, have someone put in a "good word" for you at application time. Heck, maybe you could even include the program in one of your essays...</p>
<p>Now, the portfolio issue... My daughter didn't need one when she applied for career discovery - I'm not sure if that has changed by now, but I would think not. I assume you'd need one when you apply to the college - Call the admissions office to be sure.</p>
<p>thanks for all the help
from what i can tell, a portfolio is only used when applying to the school, not the program. now i just need to find out what kinds of pieces they're gonna be looking for</p>