<p>I am flying over to Cornell from Canada this weekend for an interview. Cornell is my top choice, and I really really wanna do well on it. I learned from the previous posts on this forum that the school of architecture plays a pretty big role in determining rather I am qualified for Cornell (and the archi school). Any advice here I may take? For ex., possible questions they may ask, etc..</p>
<p>I had an interview with an alumni from Princeton earlier this month but it was very casual. I guess this interview is more serious and is different from interviewing with an alumni (?), 'cause I will be talking to a professor. A PROFESSOR... My heart was literally pounding HARD when I was reading the confirmation letter from Cornell today. </p>
<p>really, just be yourself... and take your portfolio. I don't think professors are always going to be harder or easier than alumni, it just depends. They don't expect you to know everything. Find out if the school will be right for you this weekend. traveling is always fun anyways :)</p>
<p>Take your portfolio and be prepared to talk about the IDEAS in your portfolio. Be prepared to talk about architecture--perhaps your opinion of the architecture in your hometown of...Toronto or Montreal? Or your opinion of a Canadian architect you admire? If you do have a favorite Canandian architect--you might even bring a Canandian article about him (sorry it's still usually a him). They won't be interviewing many Canadians so take the opportunity to create an impression. Your goal is to have them remember you when they sit down to discuss the applications. "Oh! This was the Canadian student who had the photos of "X" work and had "X" in her portfolio. He/She seemed ambitious/articulate/conceptual/something!"</p>
<p>Overcoming your fear of talking to people (professors, clients) about your work is one of the main tasks practiced in architecture school. Make sure you give a F I R M handshake when you enter the room (practice at home) and make sure you establish eye contact during the meeting. Practice at home.</p>
<p>If you find a deadly silent moment--or if you want to extend the interview--ask for advice! (My dad's trick). You could ask what is the best way to prepare for architecture school--or which books they recommend. You might also ask what is the best way to distinguish yourself in architecture school--what characteristics they notice in distinguished students.</p>
<p>I used to have this massive stainless steel portfolio that I made myself. I am sure that many architects remember me for that more than anything. I once had an interview with Phillip Johnson. He had a look of terror on his face at the thought of putting that thing on his immaculate wooden desk. (Took a different job).</p>
<p>I would also look up everything you can about the school- what well known architects went there? (wouldn't hurt to mention how much you like them), what their curriculum is like, what professors teach there, etc. so that you can ask intelligent questions about the school, too.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the advice guys!!! I will do a lot of research on notable American/Canadian architects and the Cornell Archi school after my exam tomorrow. </p>
<p>I guess the point of interviewing with a faculty of the Architecture school is just to see how passionate I am for architecture, and if I am articulate enough to express my ideas? Are they going to ask stuff unrelated to Architecture?</p>
<p>Vancouver is in the middle of a building boom for the Olympics--and in general. Are there any famous architects doing Olympic structures? Also, Vancouver is a very poetic setting for architecture.</p>
<p>They will be very interested in a candidate from Vancouver. Be sure to talk about how you picture yourself opening your own practice there someday--after an apprenticeship in Manhattan with so and so famous Cornell architects, LOL. </p>
<p>"I guess the point of interviewing with a faculty of the Architecture school is just to see how passionate I am for architecture, and if I am articulate enough to express my ideas?"</p>
<p>yes, this is what they look for. </p>
<p>In fact, I don't even think they talked much at all about my gf's portfolio when she did her interview. </p>
<p>On the other hand, at her interview with Pratt, the person took it, looked at it, and said: "fantastic! you're in!"</p>
<p>Guys, I am departing for Cornell at 10:48am (as stated on my ticket hahaa) on Friday morning. Thank you so much for your advice. I will keep doing research and preparing for my interview. I know I will have lots of fun at Cornell for the next 4 days, though only being a prospective student there. </p>
<p>I seriously don't know if I screwed up my interview or not.. The prof tried to trick me for several times. But generally speaking, I think I did..okay?!!</p>
<p>He told me that "you will probably get into Cornell." Does this mean anything? Or was he just kidding... He also said, "I think you will get into one of these schools you've told me." </p>
<p>Any thoughts? =</p>
<p>He also said that I am knowledgable about architecture, and have obviously done research on Cornell and which schools' archi programs are excellent in the nation. </p>
<p>When I said the word conceptual, he replied with a "suspicious" tone saying 'CONCEPTUAL?!'... kind of scared me off. x__x</p>
<p>Well, anyways, I seriously have learned a lot from him in just that 45-min chat: 1) about architecture 2) which areas i need to work on more 3) how to choose an archi school which best suits me. </p>
<p>Oh, and, besides, he tried to test me if I could spell Koolhaas correctly. hahaha. He's a very interesting (and humorous!) professor. =P</p>
<p>i know! i didn't expect cornell to be THIS cold. i just brough some t-shirts and a jacket..... and i was almost frozen. well therefore i didn't really walk around the campus - but just at the archi building. aiii.. such a waste of oppurtunity. =</p>
<p>hah! Just shows you that not many 18 year olds are using the word conceptual. Looks like Wells teaches Architecture Theory....so you were close to the mark with that word.</p>
<p>I am so curious about
1. What you learned about architecture that you didn't know before </p>
<ol>
<li><p>What areas he felt you needed to improve. </p></li>
<li><p>What advice he gave you on 'how to choose an architecture program'.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Please share the details...?</p>
<p>I am not sure whether or not you'll be admitted, but I feel sure that you captured his interest and he will be an advocate for you at the admission table. All that advice! You did a great job of getting him to assume the role of mentor. Well done to you archie-Canuck.</p>
<p>Your geography will be another huge plus. Hopefully your portfolio will push you into the Yes! pile.</p>
<p>Don't forget to send an email thank you expressing how much you learned from him ( we old yuppie farts LOVE to hear those things)--and maybe what you thought about on the way home to Vancouver.</p>
<p>Since my portfolio didn't have enough drawings, the prof suggested me to mail in some more to support my application. And so I did a few for the past few days, and am ready to mail them in. Should I mail in the originals or just photocopied ones? Well, the thing is that one of the drawings is VERY special. And I am positively positive that Cornell will love it. (muwahaha...) The prof didn't specify when I should mail them in (well the official deadline was jan31; my interview was on feb5), and in what format my drawings should be. The guideline for the portfolio states that "please do not include original work" and blah blah blah... </p>
<p>OKAY. So what should I do now. 1)mail in originals 2)mail in photocopied ones.</p>
<p>Cheers: Your msg made my day. Thanks! =] I will share the details after this weekend. (have been quite busy drawing!)</p>