Chance a Prospective Architecture Student (repost)

College Majors Architecture Major
1

<h2>I'm reposting this here in the architecture sub-forum: </h2>

<p>Hi everyone! This is my inaugural chance thread so constructive criticism and advice is duly needed! I'm applying to a few competitive architecture schools. I currently attend a competitive (Blue Ribbon) vocational/magnet high school in New Jersey as a junior architecture "major".
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2000/2400 (R: 660, W: 670, M: 670) I will be retaking one final time this fall, hoping for a 2150+. I'm also taking the ACT with Writing this June (practice tests have me at ~32).
SAT II: Taking Math 2, Chemistry, and Physics this fall, assume 740+ on each.
GPA: 3.89 UW/4.20 W
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):School does not rank
AP (Scores): Just took AP EngLang, expecting a 4+. For students like myself who don't major in a science, this is the only AP you can really take during your junior year.
Senior Year Course Load: AP Literature, AP Environmental Science, AP Calculus AB, AP Human Geography, AP Government and Politics, Architecture Studio II.</p>

<p>Major Awards:
Scholarship Award to attend Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College Architecture Program
Possible Honorable Mention or greater in this year's National High School Architecture Competition</p>

<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (been active in all for 2+ years):
-Activities Board within the Architecture Major (President)
-Schoolwide Student Council (Officer)
-Slam Poetry/Spoken Word Club (Officer)
-National Honor Society (running for President)
-National Japanese Honor Society
-Japanese Club
-Urban Agriculture Club
-Junior State of America
...
-Created an online magazine for teens focused in architecture, art, engineering, and design.
-Will be participating in a joint-research architecture project with NJIT and the University of Calgary this fall to explore resilient design strategies in areas affected by Superstorm Sandy and the Calgary floods. </p>

<p>Job/Work Experience:
-Intern/Teacher's Assistant for my school's health teacher.
-Held two part-time sales associate positions since the end of my sophomore year.</p>

<p>Volunteer/Community service:
-2-time AIDS Walk NYC Participant
-Volunteer at a homeless shelter during Thanksgiving (10 hours)
-Will be traveling to Ecuador this summer to teach Architecture seminars to college students (80+ hours)</p>

<p>Summer Activities:
Pre-College Architecture Program at Carnegie Mellon
Volunteering in Ecuador
Preparing to be a groomsman at my sister's wedding</p>

<p>Other</p>

<p>Supplementary: I've been working on my portfolio for the past 2 years, it's gotten good feedback so far (8-9/10)
Country (if international applicant):
State: New Jersey
School Type: Vocational
Ethnicity: South Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: ~$70,000
Hooks: First generation, multitude of architecture EC's</p>

<p>List of schools (in order of preference):
-Carnegie Mellon University (College of Fine Arts School of Architecture) - LOTS of demonstrated interest
-Drexel University (Westphal College School of Architecture)
-Lehigh University (Arts+Engineering Program)
-Cornell University
-NJIT (School of Architecture) - legacy</p>

<p>Thanks!!!</p>

2

<p>I don’t know enough about the admissions criteria at those schools to give you a chances opinion, but will make a few comments. My suggestion would be to look at where other students in your high school architecture major have gone to college and see how your qualifications compare.</p>

<p>First, what’s your financial situation? It’s difficult to predict financial aid for families with mid-level incomes, so if you need aid, you should widen your list. </p>

<p>Lehigh Arts + Engineering is an interesting program, but since you seem sincerely intent on a career in architecture, engineering seems like a side-track. Why not add some more B.Arch programs to your list like Cincinnati, Auburn, Syracuse?</p>

<p>You indicate that you are “first generation” and also a “legacy.” Usually first generation means first in your family to go to college so you can’t be both.</p>

<p>Your summer at CMU should help you get a better idea of what programs like CMU are looking for in admissions and also to work on your portfolio.</p>