how important is SAT score when applying for transfer to architecture program? + chance me!

<p>Hi I'm a international student who is applying to transfer.</p>

<p>I'm currently enrolled in a 4-year university outside of US.(architecture major)</p>

<p>I have received my SAT scores and I'm afraid that they are terrible... I didn't expect this so</p>

<p>I did not make any future plans to take SAT again;(((</p>

<p>Anyways, my SAT scores are M800 CR570 W610... I know.. they are bad;( I seriously don't know what happened during </p>

<p>the test...</p>

<p>SAT2 M2800</p>

<p>High school GPA 3.6-7/4.0 , class rank:25%</p>

<p>university GPA : 3.92/4.0(30 credits)</p>

<p>essay : I think they are ok/good</p>

<p>ECs : not exceptional but good </p>

<p>portfolio : great(various mediums and very creative) ---- about 30 pieces(won national prize!) </p>

<p>TOEFL score : 113 / 120</p>

<p>recommendations : good </p>

<p>I was going to apply to schools like cornell, pratt, rice, upenn, penn state, parsons and cooper union ... </p>

<p>But now I feel like I should apply to schools lower than them.. what do you guys think? please help me!</p>

<p>@wpspqlqm‌ definitly go for it – also, cut down ur portfolio down to about 20 of ur best pieces (cornell has 20 max) – </p>

<p>lets say that your essays are very good, then… I think you have no problem getting into parsons/penn state/pratt --</p>

<p>Cooper Union : I know for first year students they dont look at your portfolio (only for transfers) – but you prob should prepare for the hometest! </p>

<p>Cornell : interview is required but you can prob do the interview questions instead cause ur international — make sure u spend A LOT of time on that because the essays/interview/portfolio are the best things </p>

<p>I have spoken to students who have gotten into Cornell/Cooper for Architecture with around a 1900 SAT, so your 1980 will be fine(although the more the better, so if u could try to go for 2050+ if u take it again) </p>

<p>UPenn will definitly be a challenge – the 1980 will be tough on you but thats fine cause they still rely on the portfolio for transfer students (optional for first year students tho0 </p>

<p>Im not familiar with RIce(though I know its amazinggg) </p>

<p>If your application is as strong to apply to Cornell/UPenn/Cooper Union, then might as well throw an application to Carnegie Mellon University’s architecture program —</p>

<p>Also, if ur more interested in conservative and classical (meh kinda boring) architecture, then apply to Notre Dame University. Portfolios arent required there, but submitting one is boost </p>

<p>Good luck yo!</p>

<p>omg…literally you are like a god to me!! Thank you so much for your helpful reply…
I appreciate it A LOT!! I was kind of in a panic attack but you saved me:))</p>

<p>Actually, I was considering applying to carnegie mellon. But because of some
troubles with my current school, I don’t think that I can send all the required materials to the office by Jan 1…:(</p>

<p>And for Cooper Union, my dream school… yes… I am very anxious over home test… some have told me that
they are extremely difficult and that it takes a huuuuge part in admission process. </p>

<p>Anyhow since I’m all doing this admission thing alone, help like yours is pure gold! </p>

<p>btw are u also applying to architecture school? I rmbr u from different threads!(I always thought that
you were so kind!)</p>

<p>@wpspqlqm‌ hehe yes i am applying to other arch schools! I usually jump around the architeccture forum – I have been researching the application for these schools and contacted a bunch of current admitted students and graduates to get a better idea on how to enhance applications and gear them towards what they want to see in an application. </p>

<p>Also… dont worry! From what I have seen so far… the architecture home test is A LOT easier than the art home tests (I have a friend taking the art home test right now, and trust me it is crazyyy) — </p>

<p>The Architecture home test mandates good art technique (kind of because architecture is art in that you use creativity to design buildings) — but its not as demanding (yes, they only accept 25-50 of the best home tests (but i assume many would need to prove capable of handling the workload by the SAT and course rigor and such – which isnt as important for an art major) </p>

<p>(Also… many of the accepted architecture hometests that you see online arent very impressive(some look like they were done over a weekend) , especially compared to the accepted art home test)</p>

<p>Do you need financial aid? If yes, then you should probably widen your list as financial aid for internationals can be unpredictable.</p>

<p>My guess would be that Penn would put the most weight on your grades and scores. Just to make sure you’re aware: Penn does not offer the Bachelors of Architecture (BArch). Their undergraduate degree is a BA in architecture. If you were to practice architecture in the US, you’d still need to get an MArch.</p>

<p>I don’t think your SAT scores are a deal-breaker, but your high school GPA may be on the low side for Penn and Cornell. Your college GPA may compensate, depending on how many years you’ve put in.</p>

<p>Do you mean you already have 30 credits? Are you near graduating? You might be better off getting your degree at your current school and going to the States for an MArch.</p>

<p>Yes I’m applying for financial aid… then do you have any schools in mind that might be good for me?
I actually gave up applying to RISD because I’ve heard that they don’t give off financial aid to international students:(</p>

<p>Also, I’m actually thinking of applying to UT at Austin instead of UPenn!</p>

<p>And I’ve just finished my first year at my current school and have done 30 credits(which is about 11 classes).</p>

<p>I’ve always wanted to study and get a job in a different country and fortunately, my whole family is immigrating to
US next year because my father got a job offer from a firm in the states. So rather than going there to get an MArch degree, I want to start from the bottom(also, I’ve heard that getting a BArch degree in US is better when getting a job there):)) Anyhow, thank you for your reply!</p>

<p>@thegrant
Oh that’s so assuring:))
Actually, I’ve never learned art professionally before.
I guess I’ve always loved drawing and crafting but never took them seriously.
But after my gap year from high school, I’ve decided to become an architect
(before, it was becoming a genetic engineer…)
So, after then I have been concentrating on my portfolio and fortunately, I am pretty good at it:) </p>

<p>Anyways thank you so much for your reply! I wish you the best and have a great holiday!:)</p>

<p>@wpspqlqm‌ yes! happy holidays! </p>

<p>How much financial aid do you need? You are in a difficult position because you are both an international and a transfer student. You will have to review the policies of each school on both counts – internationals and transfers. Because the BArch is an undergraduate degree, you will be competing for $$$ with all internationals and all transfer students, and there’s not a lot of funding available for either one.</p>

<p>My advice would be to write directly to each school’s financial aid office and ask them specifically: Would an international transfer applicant be eligible for financial aid? </p>