Chance: Cornell AAP

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hi,
I'm currently a junior in high school. I've wanted to be an architect since the fourth grade when I found out what architecture meant. I am extremely interested in attending Cornell's College of art, architecture, and planning, and would be ever so grateful if you could chance me.</p>

<p>I took the SAT my sophomore year and got M:670 R: 640 W: 600. I am retaking the SAT though and planning on doing much better, seeing as I took the PSAT last fall and got M: 77 R & W : 70</p>

<p>Weighted GPA: 95%
Class Rank: Unranked</p>

<p>Courses</p>

<p>7th grade:
Pre-AP Algebra 1</p>

<p>8th grade:
Pre-AP Geometry
Spanish 1 (Pre-AP not offered)</p>

<p>Freshman:
Pre-AP Algebra 2
Spanish 2 (Pre-AP not offered)
Pre-AP English 1
Pre-AP World Geography
Pre-AP Biology
Introduction to Engineering and Design (Articulated course)
Freshman Football</p>

<p>Sophomore:
Pre-AP Pre-Calculus
Pre-AP Spanish 3
Pre-AP English 2
AP World History
Pre-AP Chemistry
Architectural Design (Articulated course)
JV Football</p>

<p>Summer:
US History - Community College</p>

<p>Junior:
AP Calculus BC
AP English 3
AP Physics B
Advanced Architecture
JV Football</p>

<p>Summer:
Health - UT-Austin or Texas Tech</p>

<p>Senior (planned):
Multivariate Calculus
AP English 4
AP Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Art 1
AP Government
AP Economics
Varsity Football</p>

<p>Extra Curricular Activities</p>

<p>Football @ a school which got 5 Texas state titles in a row, 2 of which while I was in the program (Freshman Defensive MVP - 2010) (several scout team player of the week awards)
Track and Field (2012) - JV 100m & 200m
Varsity Powerlifting (2012-present)
National Society of High School Scholars (2012 - present)
Very active in Jewish community: Bar mitzva-ed, confirmed, now helping teach a 1st grade Sunday school class
Junior lifeguard during summers (2011 - present) (Most improved - 2011)
Internship at an architectural firm (summer of 2012) - modeled and rendered in sketchup; offered paid position for school year which I had to refuse due to time constraints etc.
Paid position at above architectural firm (spring break of 2013) - modeled and rendered in sketchup
Founder of Architecture club (2013) - around 15 members
Competed in multiple architecture competitions ranging in size from school-wide to international (2013) - won school-wide architecture competition
Handpicked to be on inaugural Olweus (anti-bullying) Student Committee (2013)
Worked at an independent research and development corporation (2012-present) - Scene surfacing and dimensioning for automobile crash recreations
Worked at an international safety design corporation (2012) - Logo design, modeling and rendering of concept grain silo facility for use in Zambia</p>

<p>Programs</p>

<p>Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk Autocad
Autodesk Revit
Sketchup
Podium
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Indesign
Adobe Acrobat Pro
Google Earth
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Powerpoint</p>

<p>Other</p>

<p>Dad & Stepmother (known so long she is just like a mother) both went to Cornell
I am a hard worker and am very persistent</p>

<p>Portfolio</p>

<p>Here is a sample of my work. This is not by any means a complete portfolio, but is just for you to get an idea of what I do.
Portfolio</a> :</p>

2

<p>You look great! It’s pretty obvious from your portfolio and your extracurriculars that you have a passion for architecture and that is by far more important than any other element for your application! Just make sure you do your research and write killer essays that can really eccentuate your passion! Best of luck!</p>

3

<p>Thank you VSpecter! I really appreciate the second look.</p>

4

<p>So far your application seems to be coming together quite nicely. You must, must, must bring up that SAT score! Everything else seems fantastic!</p>

5

<p>Thank you Justin! I definitely will get the SAT scores up. Like I said, the 1910 was from last year and I didn’t do much preparation for it. This year I have prepared more and ,if my PSAT scores are indicative of anything, then I should be getting above 2100 for the SAT. Thanks again for posting!</p>

6

<p>While I am really impressed by your stats, make sure you looks at what Cornell wants to see in a portfolio on their website. I remember reading there and hearing from others that they like to see non-technical art: drawings, sketches, etc. which don’t necessarily have to be related to architecture. But you have an art class coming up it looks like… So whatever you do in there you should definitely include.</p>

7

<p>You are definitely a good candidate for the program, but I think you need more traditional artwork in your portfolio. I was accepted into Cornell’s architecture program a few weeks ago, and I think my portfolio was what ultimately got me in. I had zero sketch-up/architectural related sketches… I did have still lifes, portraits, perspective drawings, landscapes, abstract paintings, etc. I think Cornell wants to see how you think (visually, spatially, conceptually) more than how skilled you already are at modeling and rendering on the computer. So although your portfolio definitely shows passion and dedication, I think you would definitely benefit from having more traditional artwork.</p>