Chance me

College Majors Architecture Major
1

So I’ve just submitted all of my applications as an architecture major and I have no idea how my application will fare because not many people I’ve talked to have experience applying as an architecture major. So to try and gauge how my application will compare I wanted to post my stats and portfolio and get your guys opinion, perhaps by people who have been through this process before.

Rank: Top 3%
SAT: 1440 700R 740M
APs: 10 (1 10th(3), 5 11th(3,3,4,4,5), 4 12th)
Senior Courses: Band, AP Chem, AP Lit, AP Stats, AP Calc, Drawing

Work Experience: worked at chipotle over the summer, worked at landscaping and plant nursery for 2 years, started my own lawn care and landscaping business, and math tutor

Extracurriculars: Odyssey of the Mind (International problem solving competition, my main EC been doing since 2nd grade, won 3 state championships placed 2nd in US and 5th in the world, coached a younger team past two years, started program in neighboring schools), STEM Club ( Entered wind turbine and rocket building competitions, won several local wind turbine competitions and 4th on east cost, asked by GE to be a guest judge at elementary competition), Drama ( Lead set designer for 3 years, designed and built 3 sets, got male lead senior year), Band (concert, marching, pep, and named to all county band), ACE Mentor Program ( architecture, construction and engineering club where professionals in the field mentor students), Virginia Tech Intro to Archietcture summer program, Art Club, Skiing, Student Government( Treasurer 9th, President 10th &11th), National Honors Society Secretary, Key Club VP

Common App Essay: I was told by my AP lit teacher that it was a very creative and unique essay, I talked about how I am both an artist and engineer and connected attributes of both to different things I have done in my life, and how I find a balance between the two in architecture

Schools I applied to:

Northeastern (early action)
USC (scholarship deadline)
SUNY at Buffalo
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Hobart and William Smith College
WashU
Rice
Stanford
Yale
Penn
Tulane
Virginia Tech
RPI
Syracuse
Cornell

I’ve only interviewed for Cornell so far, and my interviewer liked my portfolio and thought I would be a good fit for AAP (it was virtual and he completely forgot about it so we had to reschedule and he felt really bad so that might be in my favor idk)

I’ll post a link to my portfolio in the following post

2

I forgot to include my GPA: 3.96UW 4.47W

3

Great selection! You have several safeties which is good. You’ll do great. The hard part will be which one to accept? The best advice we received was choosing the college that fits you! Keep us posted and good luck!

4

Thanks that means a lot!

5

If I remember correctly from my other threads you had a daughter go through the architecture major application process, so do you think my portfolio is appropriate for the schools l’m applying to?

6

Definitely. Very nice. You’ll do well. Don’t worry. Whatever happens was meant to be. Remember is all about fit. :). Good luck and keep us posted.

7

Thanks! I will definitely keep you posted, you’ve been a great help in this process.

8

Here is my take on your college list. I may be wrong.

Northeastern (early action) - yes (I would not recommend)
USC (scholarship deadline) - Maybe
SUNY at Buffalo - does not have B.arch (5 yr)
Wentworth Institute of Technology - yes (I would not recommend)
Hobart and William Smith College - Yes (but it is liberal arts and does not have B.Arch)
WashU - Maybe - but no B.arch
Stanford - No - Architecture?
Yale - No. No B.arch
Penn - No. No B.arch
Tulane - May be - some money
Virginia Tech - yes - some money
RPI - Yes - no money
Syracuse - yes - some money
Cornell - may be - only need-based money

9

Just wanted to let you know my decisions!

Accepted:
USC
Penn
Northeastern
Syracuse
RPI
Buffalo
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Hobart and William Smith

Waitlisted:
Rice
WashU
Virginia Tech

Rejected:
Stanford
Yale
Cornell
Tulane

I’m currently deciding between USC Penn and Northeastern, any insight?

10

Congrats - you have great choices!

Are the costs similar at all three of your top choices?

11

@aspiringarch23 Congrats on your admission.
Based on your admission preference
USC # 1 - Ranked B.Arch
Penn - I suppose Upenn - No B.arch?
and Northeastern - No B.Arch program

I recommendation is to the following for review. Both have ranked B.Arch program.

Syracuse
RPI

Of course, money should be taken into consideration.

12

@aspiringarch23, congratulations on some fine options. As others have mentioned, how does the financial element compare?

Unless you have reasons for eliminating Syracuse, I’d consider it a top contender. Syracuse and USC are both highly regarded BArch choices, though their locations are very different. Since internships and industry connections are related to location, this is something to consider seriously. RPI is also highly regarded, but it seems to be in a difference category of focus from others on your list.

Otherwise, you need to decide whether you want to go for the BArch or the BS/BA+MArch route. Penn and Northeastern both have excellent undergraduate programs that can lead to their own MArchs or to an MArch at another school. Northeastern students are regularly placed at top firms in Boston for their co-op experience and often find their way back to the same firms after graduation.