<p>Cornell, BAC and other schools run camps in the summer for high schools kids who are considering becoming architects. My sophomore daughter has shown some interest but the camps are pricey. Does anyone have any experience with a camp of this nature? I would think it would be good for her to explore the field and to see what it really is all about. But does attending such a camp help with admissions or would it be viewed as buying a resume/application builder? </p>
<p>Does not attending such a camp put her at a disadvantage? I noticed on the Cornell website it specifically states that applicants that have attended the camp do not have to have an interview.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance. This is my first post on this forum. There is so much interesting discussion here. Looking forward to any responses.</p>
<p>I want to major in architecture too! I applied to this one camp, its called Carnegie Mellon Precollege Program. They have classes like architecture, fine arts, perfomring arts, music, and such. It is a bit pricey though, but the cost is for six weeks including boarding and everything. [Summer</a> Study Program from Carnegie Mellon](<a href=“http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/pre-college/index.html]Summer”>http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/pre-college/index.html)</p>
<p>I don’t think you need to go to one of the camps, but it might be helpful as I would guess they replicate the first year experience in miniature fairly well. No admissions officer is going to ding you for not attending a camp, but it might be good to see if you could find other ways to show your interest in architecture. You could be drawing or photographing buildings, volunteering at a local historical society, being a guide at an architectural site (I worked at the National Cathedral giving tours in Washington DC). There’s lots of ways to show interest in architecture.</p>
<p>I’ve met two kids on different occasions who did summer arch camp while hs juniors. One at CMU and one elsewhere, perhaps Cornell? Both loved it, said it was crazy intense (remember these where hs kids), and felt that it prepared them for life as an architecture student. Both said it helped them confirm their commitment to architecture, and there were kids who attended that they met who quickly determined architecture as not for them. That I feel could be pretty valuable to a paying parent as the BArch programs are tightly focused and not for everyone.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your responses. The Fallingwater camp looks wonderful and more cost effective than Cornell. And the suggestions regarding working as a guide at an architectural site is a good one as well.</p>
<p>Is is safe to say that some demonstration of a real interest in architecture through either a camp or volunteering will be viewed favorably? She takes thousands of photos of buildings on every trip we take and just loves buildings of all kinds. But how do you turn all that into something tangible on a college app?</p>
<p>Well, her best photos can be used in her portfolio. My son was accepted into several architecture programs this year (some applications still pending!), and about half of his portfolio included photographs of buildings/street scenes, etc.</p>
This is definitely a plus when applying to architecture programs so she should use at least some of her photos in her portfolio and can explain it in an essay. Love of buildings, photography, (what does she do with the photos?), travel, does she research building before or after photographing them?.. - Her “hobby” (some parents might call it an obsession if it really is thousands of pics ) ties in very nicely with the study of architecture. I bet a bunch of schools will be happy to have her.</p>
<p>Your responses are so helpful. I didn’t realize that photos could work in the portfolio. That’s good to know. She’ll have to start culling out her favorites.</p>
<p>And she is very excited about the Fallingwater residency. I don’t know if she’ll be able to go as logistics might be a problem but she has 2 summers in which to try to make it work.</p>
<p>CMU was too pricey and for too long unfortunately. The BAC program is less expensive and within commuting distance.</p>
<p>This is great info. Thanks! My daughter is interested in architectural and Japanese studies. She is at Cornell now doing the FALCON course, intensive Japanese language. Next summer the Fallingwater is a great option. Any child interested in learning Japanese should consider the Cornell course. It is top shelf.</p>
) ties in very nicely with the study of architecture. I bet a bunch of schools will be happy to have her.</p>