<p>I'm a rising senior and I'll be applying for B.Arch this fall.
Female
Israeli citizen, born in Russia
GPA 90-95 out of 100
SAT: 2060 (M:800, W:690, CR:570)
SAT II math level 2: 760
Art and creative writing related EC's, padding on leadership this summer and fall
Taking arch university courses while in HS (that's considered rare and impressive)
Portfolio is in progress</p>
<p>I'm considering these schools:
Cornell, Cooper Union, Pratt, RISD, Rice, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Syracuse.</p>
<p>Well, I think your grades and SAT scores are good enough for any of those schools (except maybe Cornell and Rice). You might want to try and raise that CR score, but it’s understandable since you are international (and that 800 math is impressive!)</p>
<p>For ALL schools, it will come down to your portfolio (or your home test for Cooper Union). This is very important, and you want to make sure you send the best you can. </p>
<p>Finally, keep in mind that you’re applying to the best programs in the nation. You might also want to apply to some less selective colleges just so you have a backup plan (although I’m sure you can get into Pratt).</p>
<p>My DD had higher (and more balanced, but shes a native English speaker) SAT’s lower GPA but from an elite US high school, good ECs, good essay, decent portfolio (I am not really able to judge) and got into RPI. </p>
<p>Note, RPI prefers drawings, sculpture, photos, etc - not Arch projects or CAD drawings.</p>
<p>I do not know how much they weigh the portfolio - when DD was late with hers, they practically begged her to send it in, leading me to beleive they especially valued the academic numbers, esp math qualifications.</p>
<p>They also want more females, from what I can gather (the Arch program is balanced, but RPI overall is not)</p>
<p>Have you done your Tzahal service yet? If you had a specialty that was at all interesting or relevant, that might add to your application, I do not know.</p>
<p>My DD will be doing a gap year in Israel this year, study and community service, so if you do get into and go to RPI you will be in her year and I suppose will get to know her. </p>
<p>I just got back from the cornell summer program. their admissions officers explicitly said that they do not care about SAT, so long as you have a cumulative score of greater than 1800.</p>
<p>MSWeisbrod, did they say anything about SAT 2’s?
Are you applying to Cornell B.Arch ED or RD?</p>
<p>greyhanded, yes it’s acceptable to add unrealistic elements, as long as you show your own style involved with it I suppose. But I don’t think some schools will see it as “impressive” that you took Arch courses in the university. Highly reputed schools like Cornell prefer teaching students on their own anyway so they don’t quite consider it so impressive - all this kind of follows how the schools do not want CAD drawings on your portfolios.</p>