Here are my plans! (Critique and Warn Me)

College Majors Architecture Major
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<p>For starters, I want to major in architecture. HOWEVER, I was one of those unfortunate kids who wasn't exactly aware that I needed a portfolio to advance myself. I could make one, however it wouldn't be to the best of my ability! (especially because I only have two and half months left to make 15 pieces).</p>

<p>That being said, my school of choice is Cornell University. However, my SAT score is 600M, 600CR, and 580W. I have a 4.0 right now in high school. (btw I'm a senior right now in HS). I can't apply to Cornell because they require a portfolio.</p>

<p>So here is my plan to get into Cornell University.</p>

<p>I'm planning on going to a school with an excellent B.Arch program. Virginia Tech! they are currently in the Top 3... along with Cornell . I plan on taking Architecture as a major, and ART as a minor. I will develop my portfolio greatly. Another thing is that I will be very FOCUSED on keeping my GPA above a 3.7. I will also try and become very friendly with professors (something im actually good at) and get rec forms from them.</p>

<p>Now, Is this a good idea? Or Am I risking TOO much? I do like Virginia Tech as a school, its nice, although the town is small.</p>

<p>P.S. I'm Hispanic (Dominican Republic) and I've lived in DR for 3 years.</p>

<p>Please be honest and suggest ideas to me. </p>

<p>Also on a side note, I'm a little worried about going to Blacksburg, Virginia because its population is 40,000 while NYC has 8,000,000 :eek:!</p>

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<p>i think you should go for it. cornell doesn't accept many transfers (maybe 2-3 a year) but that shouldn't deter you from trying. there are plenty of other good architecture schools as well to go for. </p>

<p>don't just look at rankings to determine where you want to go. see what kind of work first years produce that you'll expect to put in your portfolio as well.</p>

<p>have you looked into cooper? it's a great school and they don't require a portfolio (just a home test).</p>

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<p>I don't see why you couldn't put together a portfolio with 15 pieces in two and a half months. That's 10 weekends plus Thanksgiving break. Ithaca's population isn't very big either BTW. :)</p>

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<p>DRMAN54, Here's a warning....once you get that "Hokie spirit" in you, it will be hard to leave! :) I will share with you a couple of things. Did you designate that you were applying as a BARCH candidate? If so, trying to take studio art classes in your first year or two is going to be hard. Your schedule is pretty much given to you by your advisor for the first year (and beyond really). </p>

<p>VT suggests no more than 15 hours for the first year students. 6 are in Foundation Design, 3 in a Math class (you will be pre-registered for these) and you usually take 2- 3 hour classes from the Core Curriculum (ex. English, Science...). My s, who is a fresh arch student at VT, found that most studio art classes are restricted to BFA candidate students and that even if he could find one that wasn't (for ex., just a basic drawing class) the spaces (small classes- large university) were filled by the time the freshman went online to get the schedules. Another point, you will be in that Foundation Design I class from 8- 12 a.m. M, W, F and the time conflicts with a lot of class choices! </p>

<p>So, given those facts, I would recommend that you go to some sort of a summer (or maybe even spring) art program onto work on portfolio projects that you would want to include if you apply to Cornell. Do you have a community college nearby that has night classes? That is another option. </p>

<p>I hope this helps you. FWIW, I think you would love Blacksburg. It is an amazing place and the people are so warm and welcoming. My guy is thriving there and is learning so much. Let me know if you have any other questions.</p>

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<p>Art is serious business lol, I could but I need to develop my sketching skills a little, plus it would be too rushed! (my art history isnt extensive) Yeah can you believe Ithaca only has 30,000 poeple!!! :eek: WHERE DO WE KEEP ALL 8 MILLION OF US ON THIS ISLAND?!?! lol</p>

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<p>Is it werid that reading all of that makes me more excited to go to the school lol! I did designate myself as a BArch student!</p>

<p>I will be taking a portfolio development class this summer, the class will develop my skills little more. BTW, Does your son play any sports? i was hoping to be on a team when I went to VT, but judging by what you said it sounds like it will be tough with the scheduling!</p>

<p>About Blacksburg, i have to admit it is still on my mind the whole 40,000 thing. I hope it doesnt really affect me. And about the "warm and welcoming" thing, NYC isnt really like that, lol. Just take a stroll in manhattan, poeple will push you like you're not even real or the saying "What are you looking at" comes to mind! I hope I dont come off like that :eek:! All and all, I think I might end up staying at VT! :)</p>

<p>OASN, If I have any other Q's about VT, is it ok if I PM you?</p>

<p>Thank You everyone for your comments and Advice!</p>

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<p>Feel free to PM me as you think of other questions about Tech. I am just a mom of a freshman, though, ;), so I also suggest going to the alphabetical list of schools on this site and posting questions there on the VT board. There are some upperclassmen who post that have been a great help to us "newbies". Good luck to you!</p>

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<p>Okay, I'm having a hard time imagining someone wanting to be an architect who isn't pretty used to drawing, photography, or doing some sort of artwork on a regular basis. I took art courses every year in high school as an elective. My portfolio for architecture school included drawings I did of buildings in my neighborhood, life drawing and photographs I'd taken. They just didn't take that long to do.</p>

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<p>Not to be a pessimist, but I don't think you will be accepted in the VT Barch program with those SAT scores.</p>

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<p>O2H4, I agree with you to an extent, especially if DRMAN is applying ED (which at Tech is actually a harder admit). But he/she is an URM and from the Dominican Republic. I think those factors may help a bit, but it is always hard to tell. Is there any way that you could take the SAT again to improve those scores, DRMAN54? That is what may hold you up.</p>