I’m currently a senior who’s applying to Architecture schools that offer 5 year bachelor degree programs (which means theyte mostly procate schools).By now I’ve already taken 6 AP classes (and 5 more this year), 6 honors classes and did relatively well in most of them. I also do art, XC, Track and badminton and have gotten plenty of awards.
The thing is, I’ve taken the old SAT 3 x, subject tests 3x, and the ACT once, and my scores are terrible. My parents are still asking me to retake them because they think that schools will not even care about how nicely written my college essays are once they see my standardized test scores. I’m honestly burnt out, and I get super depressed and ancious seeing the prep books. Now I dont even think I’m gonna get into the schools I apply to.
If my school grades, extracurricular, portfolio and essay are done nicely, will that make up for my standardized test scores?
Possibly, but it depends on how good the good parts are and how “terrible” your test scores are. In any event, I don’t think you should take the tests again. It’s doubtful that you’ll see much movement.
Bachelor of Architecture programs, like all undergraduate programs, cover a wide range of selectivity. Some are fiercely competitive with acceptances in the single digits and emphasis on everything: portfolio, interview, grades, recommendations and, yes, scores. Some are relatively easy admits. At design driven schools your portfolio may compensate. At those that are more tech focused, your math and science scores may be a negative factor.
So build a list that includes a wide range of selectivity, not just the tippy top rated schools. If you don’t need to compare financial aid offers, consider applying ED.
If there’s a discrepancy between your course grades and your test scores or if your scores are lopsided, you might want to enlist your counselor to provide some background.
Here are my thoughts from applying to schools last year and now being in a B.Arch. program:
Many many people get in without great portfolios, and I think most schools don’t actually care about portfolios as much as they say they do.
You will get in somewhere.
Maybe focus on schools where someone with your scores might be a typical student at the university as a whole, but the architecture program is of a higher academic level than the rest of the university. Examples: Either of the Cal Polys, Auburn (which has great merit aid even for out of state!), Illinois Tech, maybe Virginia Tech. Even though some of these are tech schools by name that’s not really a very meaningful distinction when it comes to architecture.
momrath is right. The bottom line is you have to apply to a range of schools.
“Terrible” is relative. How bad are they? I saw a parent on another thread who required her kid to retake the SAT after scoring a 1540/1600. Maybe they aren’t so bad.
You don’t need to provide numbers but if they fall in the bottom 25% of your target schools or below the threshold of admitted students altogether, then maybe consider test optional schools. You can find a list at fairtest.org