<p>I've decided that I want to study architecture in college; it's a field that really interests me and I also love math and science. I've done well on my SATs and ACT and I'm in the top 5% of my class (4.6 GPA), so I'm looking at applying to Columbia, UPenn, Carnegie Mellon, Rensselaer and some other schools (UPenn is my top choice). </p>
<p>Here's my dilemma: Most of these schools require "art portfolios" as a determining factor in the admissions process to their architecture department, and I have no art to submit. Our high school doesn't have an architecture class, and my schedule has been so loaded with AP's and sports that I haven't had room for Freehand Drawing or Drafting. I have a couple of projects that I've made in a design class, but I don't think that's enough for an entire portfolio.</p>
<p>What should I do!?? Is it okay for most of the pieces of art in the portfolio to be done without guidance? I'm willing to put in the time to create a portfolio on my own, but I don't really know where to start and I'm not sure if that's what these colleges are looking for. </p>
<p>Any help/advice would be really appreciated!!</p>
<p>You may get some feedback here, but the best source of info for the performance, creative and portfolio driven disciplines is within the dedicated discipline specific subforums. [Architecture</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/architecture-major/]Architecture”>Architecture Major - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>@xcgirl473: Why is U Penn your top choice?
I’m also really interested in architecture.
And I’m trying to decide which universities to apply to.
I’m thinking of applying to CMU, University of Texas Austin, UIUC, Penn State, Cornell, and Syracuse.
I’m also considering other universities like University of Washington, Wash U, Rice University, USC, and UCLA.
I also thought about applying to Cooper Union but I heard the application is very time consuming, they’re losing some good professors due to low salary, there’s less companies that go there to recruit students, and they don’t provide housing for students after the first year.
And don’t worry about not having architecture class, universities want students with creativity, dedication, and good scores.
I just went to the Pre-College Program for architecture at CMU and they told me that they would prefer students to learn more artistic skills than learn technical skills such as drafting.
So are you a senior this year?
Why don’t you take AP Art. That’ll definitely beef up your portfolio.
And you have a really impressive GPA 
I only have a GPA of 3.5 (unweighted).</p>
<p>Do you have any experience with autocad or inventor? Any design work done using these could be submitted as part of your portfolio. You should be able to get a free license for one year as a student.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, no, I don’t have any experience with those. I am taking AP Computer Science this year - I’m not sure if that will help?</p>
<p>Kendezi: Thanks for the advice Unfortunately we don’t have AP Art or Art History at our high school. I’ve taken Design I and Design II… probably the closest classes to those. So do you have an art portfolio? Just wondering, what is it made up of? I’m hoping like 10 pieces is enough for a portfolio…</p>
<p>@xcgirl473: Well, right now I’m planning to wait for a few more weeks so that I can put the stuff I’m going to produce in AP Art can be put into the portfolio. My problem is that I have lots of pencil drawings but not enough paintings and stuff done with other mediums besides pencil and pen.
I’m not sure how many pieces you should include in your portfolio.
But I think some universities have their own requirements on the number of pieces in the portfolio and how the portfolio is presented.</p>