<p>How important is the portfolio for getting into cornell architecture? I ask this not because I have a bad portfolio, but a rather good one (much better than most who were accepted, according to someone I know who goes there). Will it give me a big advantage in admissions?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help</p>
<p>your portfolio must be among the best of the best in the world to make it into the program. Portfolio is important, but keep in mind top-of-the-class rankings and solid SATs will also matter as well as demonstrated interest in architecture. It's tough to tell what the professors look for when reivewing a portfolio, as my gf was accepted with only one piece that had anything to do with architecture. Choose your portoflio pieces wisely keeping in mind that if just one professor doesn't like one of your drawings, you will not be admitted. With an acceptancer rate looming in the single digits, Cornell can afford to be this picky. Good luck.</p>
<p>My stats are quite good for cornell in general.
M: 740 CR: 800 W: 790 ==> 2330
Math IIc 800
Physics 730
Chem 750</p>
<p>GPA 97.6/100 unweighted</p>
<p>thanks a lot for your help
if you find that you have the time, you could even check out my online portfolio, where I have most of my stuff</p>
<p>tachobg.deviantart.com</p>
<p>I'd love to hear what people think</p>
<p>ok your stats are fine, the only thing you have left to do is ace the portfolio. It's really hard for me to tell what they look for since i'm not in the arch. program. your portfolio looks great from a non-profession point of view (mine!). I suggest expanding it to include different types. Drawing on my gf's portfolio, there were many types of art from paintings, drawings, sketches ... alot of it was very abstract (but not in like the picaso way) - for instance there'd be a simple still life but there'd also be the shape of 2 heads hidden in there. From hanging out in the arch. studio alot, they also seem to talk about space and how to utilize it (this isn't just putting bricks together after all). My gf had her portfolio professionally done so it was nice and neat looking and easy to read. good luck...</p>
<p>thanks a lot for your help
my brother's also at cornell and his gf is in cornell arhcitecture, so I can talk to her about it in more detail
what year are you?</p>
<p>i'm a junior</p>
<p>hey!</p>
<p>the portfolio is super super important. what professors typically look for is suprisingly different to what others think is good. there are some portfolios that are terribly made, don't have very 'high quality' pieces of work but were accepted because it reflected perhaps a strength or talent in the student. it might be only one piece of work in the portfolio that really catches the attention of the professor and convinces him/her to accept you. with an acceptance rate of i believe 8% last year, it's really hard to say what the professors might think. also, art portfolio is diff from an architecture portfolio. what might be appealing to an art school is diff from an arch school. skill in art i believe is not as important as the ideas and creativity reflected through the work (though your ability to execute your ideas into product is very important). basically, not only does the execution (skill) has to be good, but more importantly, the idea, the process, the concept behind it. they look for good problem solvers, thinkers, not necessarily artists in the skill sense. i know a lot of students who have been accepted who really had no art experience before...but they sure had a lot of talent. </p>
<p>looking at your work, you seem to have had a lot of experience in art, which is good. your execution of the work is great, but they all seem to be centered on portraits. I'd also try doing other things as well....professors i know usually are intrigued by students who aren't afraid to jump out of their medium of choice...perhaps doing photography...building a bookshelf...design stage sets..etc. My TA at cornell designed stage sets for her portfolio. Another TA was a fashion designer and that was all he did. they want you to think outside of the box. </p>
<p>i guess most important tip is to be yourself...do what you feel is an important representation of your creative abilities. that's mucho important!</p>
<p>good luck!!</p>