<p>Hi, I posted this in the "What Are My Chances?" section and got no responses so I figured maybe I'd get more feedback here. </p>
<p>Anyway, I recently applied to Cornell AAP with a major in Urban and Regional Studies. I heard that URS accepts almost 2/3 of applicants but then I read online that AAP has a 15% acceptance rate (even lower than CAS's 18% acceptance rate)</p>
<p>Here are my stats:</p>
<p>SAT 1: 1390/2120
SAT 2 (not required): Hebrew 690, Math II 650
GPA: around 3.8 uw (it's hard to estimate at my school because it's very competitive and we have so many classes because I go to a Jewish day school and have had at least 8 actual classes since 9th grade)
Course-load: heaviest at my school (all honors and AP's when offered since 9th grade)
Essays: decent I think
EC's: writer for many publications, tons of art stuff in and out of school, Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts, painted a mural in my school, a few commissioned paintings, solo exhibition, participation in juried group exhibitions, baseball (9,10), French Club (9,10)
Awards: a lot of school, regional, and national art awards (Scholastic national and regional, Congressional regional, school art awards, etc), a few academic awards (including Yale Book Award), and National Merit Commended</p>
<p>Also, even though it's not required for URS, I sent in a CD art supplement using their art portfolio guidelines. Here's a link to my Common App art supplement (which most school don't actually accept...arg) which is pretty similar to the CD I sent:</p>
<p>You really need to convince them why you are interested in the program. The portfolio might help. It's certainly not bad. I've seen worse pieces hanging on gallery walls.</p>
<p>it seems like your more of a fit for the art major. that might hurt you since cornell's admissions is very based on fit. i dont think ur ec's are good for urs.</p>
<p>Well, my Common App essay was about why I love cities and I majored in architecture at the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts. I'm not really sure what kinds of EC's would be good for URS. I'm not really interested in politics, mostly in the cultures and planning/architecture of cities. Thanks for the feedback though.</p>
<p>It's kinda funny because I think I've received the harshest criticism of my artwork on this forum. Every other time in my life, whether in art competitions or art programs or art college portfolio reviews (I did one in 10th grade and was basically offered admission to some of the top art schools in the country), I've received nothing but praise. The only criticism I usually have gotten is for lack of diversity in my work. Oh well, I don't think my artwork is all that photogenic.</p>
<p>I don't want to pursue visual arts in college or professionally because, I don't know, it doesn't really appeal to me in that sense. I really like cities and architecture and would like to major in urban or cultural studies wherever I end up. </p>
<p>Hm, maybe but I don't think I've really even had the opportunity to take part in anything like that. I'm not really sure what EC's I could've done that would've been more appropriate for my intended major. </p>
<p>Anyway, the 2/3 thing might be a total fabrication. I think someone on this forum who was also applying there told me that but I don't know where they heard it. It seems a little unrealistic but, then again, I'm not sure how competitive urban studies programs are. </p>
<p>This person said that like 40 out of 60 applicants to URS are accepted every year, and Cornell's website says each class has about 25 kids (I guess like a 60-70% enrollment). If these figures are correct, I would assume that the vast majority of applicants to AAP apply for architecture or fine arts (there are like 1000 applicants each year I think with like 160 accepted), so the 66% acceptance rate for URS wouldn't have a huge effect on the overall 15% acceptance rate for AAP. </p>
<p>It sounds hard to believe but kind of makes sense I think.</p>
<p>As a URS major myself, I can definitely tell you that stats are not very important when it comes to admission. They are looking for people that have a proven interest and passion in urban planning. Most of my friends in URS have been involved in local issues and have taken initiatives to fix their community.</p>
<p>Really? Ay, lol, I guess my chances are slim then. I'm not really sure what I personally could have done as EC's but oh well, I guess I'll have to wait till April to see if I get in. By the way, Dennis, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of stuff do you actually do in the program? Do you like it? Is it really interactive or mostly classroom based?</p>
<p>Also, just wondering, what kind of EC's did you have when you applied? </p>
<p>I live in an out-of-the-way neighborhood in Philadelphia and I go to a Jewish day school in the suburbs so I never really got any opportunities to do anything with the city of Philadelphia in terms of planning or anything remotely related (although I did apply for a very competitive mural internship but didn't get it--it paid and had like a 10% acceptance rate and wasn't just for high school students)</p>
<p>URS is a great major but the only downfall (some would say) is that the program is basically just a liberal arts degree. The program lacks a major design component, which to some is bothersome. Personally the curriculum fits my needs. If are interested in design, however, you can always take classes in architecture. </p>
<p>However, it is very interactive. The professors really challenge us to think and are always asking us for our ideas. Just in my first semester I have been on a few trips where I have actually gotten to observe what I learned in the classroom. </p>
<p>Do not get scared about the ECs. You do not need actual work experience in the field of urban planning. If you are passionate about making a change in the world and have displayed that well in your application, then I do not see why you would get rejected. </p>
<p>My personal ECs included : </p>
<p>Urban Planning experience
Internship with local congressman and local politicians
Worked to spread awareness about going green in lower income neighborhoods in NYC
Worked in a campaign to stop gentrification in upper Manhattan.
I also did a plethora of things within my school.</p>
<p>Dennis, thank you for the description. Even though I am also interested in design, a liberal arts education definitely appeals to me (I was going to apply to CAS until I found out that Urban Studies was in AAP). The program sounds pretty amazing from your description. </p>
<p>Your EC's are impressive and quite intimidating :-)</p>
<p>I don't have quite as much direct experience with urban planning but most of my EC's are directly or indirectly related to my interest in cities and urban architecture (I attended the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts and majored in architecture, I write for a political publication at my school and focus on cultural issues, among other things). I do hope that the interest I showed in my essays outweighs my lack of experience. The program sounds very appealing.</p>
<p>I am the exact opposite of ednamillay and the OP. I do not have a single drop of fine art in me, and have only taken 1 art class in high school.</p>
<p>I am more interested in the policy making/economics/law aspect of urban studies.</p>