I know my application is really weak. I also only have one summer to really try something. Any reasonable suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Reposted info:
I recently got into art and it has been a very positive force in my life for the past year. Im taking ceramics for the first time this year and am doing fairly well in the class. However, I lack skills in any other form of art. I would like to major in architecture even though I know it would be very difficult, and I basically have nothing to put in a portfolio except for 2 ceramics pieces. I am drawing every day and will try to experiment with other mediums this summer, but I know my portfolio will be very weak compared to most other applicants.
I am applying to safety schools ofc. I just really want to apply to Cornell…(I know it’s basically impossible, but my parents would be ok with me applying early decision anyways…) I’m very worried about my lack of strong pieces for a portfolio, not to mention my overall stats are low to begin with.
Should I still try to apply to Cornell for architecture? Can I go in undecided?
I’m a junior, female, asian, in state for VA
Class Rank: #2 (currently but not assured ofc)
GPA: 4.56 (also not assured)
SAT: 1460 (math: 740, english: 720, essay: 6/5/6
ACT: 33 (english: 35, math: 34, reading: 33, science: 30, essay: 10)
EC:
varsity swimming for 2 years and state qualifier both years, but I quit last year
was class vice president only freshmen and sophmore years
scholastic bowl
varsity cross country and sailing (started both this year, not great at either but made it to regionals for xc)
girl scouts
NHS (will have 100 community service hours by graduation, hopefully sooner)
Model UN
part time lifeguard in the summer
nominated for art honor society this year (so will be part of it senior year)
I won 3rd place for my portfolio at a city art show this year if that counts for anything
My plan for this summer:
-continue working part time
-take art classes on the weekends with my art history teacher, who is retiring this year. She really likes me for art history at least, and I think she would write a great recommendation
-try to volunteer each week at a local marine Muesum
-focus on boosting my portfolio, which is also water themed
-take the act and sat one more time
Are these helpful activities? Should I try anything else? I listed what I would be fine doing even if it wasn’t for an application, but should I focus my efforts on more unique things?
(For example, I live in a coastal city, and I am thinking for a possible gold award, I can join the ecology club but get them to partner with students from my little sister’s elementary school. We would help clean up a specific area every week and teach the younger kids the effects of pollution and how we have to fix them, etc)
Thank you