Cornell Architecture Interview

<p>Hi i am going to have an interview for architecture this firday for Cornell and was wondering if anyone knows about it or has gone through one. My interview is to take place in a local, yet prestigous architecture firm and thats the thing thats making me a bit nervous. They asked for my portfolio, transcript, and essay I wrote to Cornell. Im nervous though because my portfolio has more art in it then architecture solely because I heard they really dont want many technical drawings, but a lot of art which is a bit annoying because i dont want to be an artist, i want to be an architect. Anyway, I feel like my interviewer wont be too thrilled with it because of LACK of architecture stuff. Anyway any tips or experiences anybody want to share?</p>

<p>I'm not an architect, however that won't stop me from offering some advice...</p>

<p>Relax and enjoy yourself while being on time (actually a tiny bit early), be patient, dressed neat, polite and above all -------** be yourself ** .</p>

<p>Realize a few things;
The reason you are going to architecture school is to learn the stuff you don't currently know, and they know that.
Any architect you meet will have lived through what you are about to, and they will understand.
I bet they will be pleased and impressed that you, a high school student, already has interest in architecture, their chosen profession.
I bet someone there will think, and possibly tell you, that you remind them of themselves way back when.</p>

<p>Something you might consider because you are in the workspaces of an arch firm; look around and if you see something of interest, ask about it. People love to show off their stuff. You might even get a mini-tour of the inner workings of a project. How cool would that be!</p>

<p>Have fun and report back here on how it went...</p>

<p>it's all about passion. be honest and show your enthusiasm for your field. cornell architecture is a demanding program and only a lot of passion will get you through those 5 years. </p>

<p>don't worry about not knowing too much about things you think you need to know. bring some work samples too but don't worry about not having architecture work. no one really knows how to make architecture without going to school first. good luck</p>

<p>No one is going to expect to see architecture projects in your portfolio. Even if your high school offers drafting or design courses they are probably similar to the ones in our high school. They do more harm than good. The one thing I'd put in a portfolio is a drawing or nice photo of a building or building part. Something that makes you look like you are interested in buildings. </p>

<p>It's great that the interview will be at the architecture firm itself. It's a great opportunity to see what the vibe of a real architecture office is like.</p>

<p>Arg777,</p>

<p>So..... How do you think it went. </p>

<p>Sorry for the nagging parent type question, :)</p>

<p>I'd like to know how was your interview. Because I also have to fly to New York for the on-campus interview. Nervous... and putting my portfolio together. lol</p>

<p>Hey guys sorry I didnt get back sooner. What happened was that my interviewer broke his hand and was unavailable on Friday, so the interview got reschedualed to today.
It was a lot more different then my Princeton interview which was overall general. This was strictly Architecture. He asked how I got interested, he took a look at the essay I wrote to admissions, and my portfolio. But the most challenging parts of it were when he gave me questions such as compare two cities and their architecture, or he how music and architecture are related in my opinion. I was in no way prepared to answer these questions, however, I feel like I did a pretty good job. I actually have to go back for "Part II" of the interview but this time he really wants me to have knowledge on teaching philosophies and principles related to the architecture program of my top 3 schools (Cornell, Princeton, and Columbia). In his own words, I am the client and will spend $50,000 a year for one of these 3 schools, so essentially I should know what I am spending on. Overall I think it went great, but thats my opinion, his could be different, but I feel pretty confident. </p>

<p>Thanks for all your help and ill post up how "part II" of the interview went. If anyone is in the same situation as I am and has any specific questions, ask them and ill have no problem answering them because I know I wish someone would have done that for me.</p>

<p>Good report, thanks.
Now, do your homework for part 2! </p>

<p>Good luck...</p>

<p>ooh..the interview is seperated into two parts??</p>

<p>Not necessarily. There are two main reasons he wants me to go back. The first was that his hand was hurting (because he broke it), and we really didn't even delve into Cornell itself, it was mainly only Architecture. I'll post my results after "Part II" lol</p>

<p>My Cornell interview was surprisingly chill. I brought enough artwork that the secretary in the office thought I was a misguided art kid and tried to show me where the art interviews were on the campus map.. I talked to a first year instructor (I think...) and we spent a lot of time talking about art and my academic pursuits and not a lot of time talking about how I would see myself as an architect after Cornell.</p>

<p>The conversation was really informal, I think it was a little over an hour long and I definitely left the room feeling confident about my acceptance, or at least more so than I had right before the interview... I'm not entirely sure if the interview had any practical function.. I guess it did.</p>

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<p>I assume you’re discussing undergrad for architecture, but does anyone here know if Princeton requires interviews for MArch I candidates (graduate school)?</p>