<p>Hi, I am applying to Cornell Architecture the fall of 2010.</p>
<p>What do you think could be the order of importance, out of these:
[SAT, SAT II, GPA, recommandations, extra curiculars, internship/volunteer under architect, awards for regional and national for architectural models, Portfolio]</p>
<p>My opinion is:
<ol>
<li>portfolio</li>
<li>extracurriculars + GPA</li>
<li>everything else</li>
</ol>
<p>looking at recent trends and admission rates (7%admin rate), everything is going to matter greatly. I know a lot of the professors who are involved with admissions here and all I can say is be extremely talented (and show it), show that you are dedicated to the profession, do well in school, and have something unique that you can offer to the class.</p>
<p>geez 7% admission rate… that’s so cruel! would it be at least around 13% if i were to do early decision?</p>
<p>ED would probably be around 13%-18%</p>
<p>SATs in Arch. school are the lowest average in the university, so I don’t think that’s at the top of the list for qualifications (nor should it be since what they test you on is mostly irrelevant to designing buildings).</p>
<p>Portfolio definitely tops.</p>
<p>the portfolio will get you in or get you rejected. while you have to have good grades and test scores, an awesome portfolio will overshadow any bad SAT score or that C on your transcript. that being said, a mediocre portfolio will also be taken more into account than a perfect test score and 4.0 gpa. on contrary to what applejack said, the SAT scores are still very high in the arch department. remember, everyone is trying to get into CORNELL which is still a top school. the arch program is very competitive, so students need to be strong academically and artistically. the “weeding out” process in the arch school happens mostly in the application process…those who drop out later on do so when they realize that architecture isnt for them. the portfolio is definitely most important; since the first year is entirely free hand and the program is very studio based, the admissions officers (mostly professors who have been involved in the program for a long time) want to see that you know how to draw. while you will be taught various architectural drawing techniques, they want to know that you can handle it. so when you work on your portfolio, DONT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE! they can tell when you have only spent a month or a couple of weeks to slap together a portfolio. i started working on mine my sophomore year in high school. also, if you know you want to do architecture, and cornell is your #1 school, and money isnt an issue, apply early decision :)</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>p.s. work experience isnt necessary. if you can get an internship as a high school student, that is an extremely lucky and valuable experience! if a firm cant hire you as an intern, ask to shadow them for a week or so to learn about the field. other than that, a lot of students in my class freshman year have never set foot inside an arch firm</p>
<p>^
I never said SAT scores were low. I just said, on average, they are the lowest, which is still quite high.</p>