I want to get in as an architecture major...any advices?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello, I'm a junior in Virginia high school (class of 2011) and I recently changed my intended major to architecture. So far, i am thinking of Syracuse, VTech, UVA, Pratt, PennState, and Purdue.</p>

<p>My Courses:</p>

<p>9th grade:
1. Algebra 1 (A)
2. HN Bio (B)
3. Pre-IB Eng (B)
4. Symp. Band (A)
5. PreIB World History 2 (B)
6. PE (A)
7. Spanish 1 (B)
Unweighted GPA: about 3.4
Weighted GPA: about 3.6</p>

<p>Summer:
Geometry (B+)
GPA: 3.5</p>

<p>10th grade:
1. PreIB Govt (C)
2. Journalism 2 - Arts Editor (A)
3. HN Chemistry (C+)
4. PreIB Eng (B)
5. Spanish 2 (B+)
6. PE (A)
7. Driver's Ed (B+) <-this course doesn't count as a credit
8. PreIB Alg2/Trig (C)
UW GPA: barely over 3.0
Weighted GPA: about 3.3</p>

<p>11th Grade:
1. IB Hist of Ame
2. Spanish 3
3. IB Film Study I
4. Journalism 3 - International Editor
5. IB Bio II
6. IB Eng
7. IB Math Study Pt.I</p>

<p>Since junior year hasn't finished yet, I do not have this year's grades.
The 10th&11th weighted GPA's combined is 3.500.
Our school transcript only shows weighted GPA (thank goodness).</p>

<p>Also, our county used to have one of the most competitive grading scales until last year; this year, they gave us some lenience.</p>

<p>For extra-curricular activities:
- Marching Band (9th)
- Award-winning School Newspaper (10th&11th) - Arts & International Editors
- Model UN (10th&11th)
- It's Academic ! (9th&10th)
- INOVA Nursing home (10th&11th)
- National Honor Society (11th)
- National Math Honor Society (10&11th)
- Key Club (9th)
- Newseum Volunteer (11th)
- Quill&Scroll Honor Society (10th&11th)
- Internship at Dem. Committee office (summer between 10th and 11th)
- 8-week Urban Journalism Workshop (10th)</p>

<p>I think this is mostly it... I have more written in my resum</p>

2

<p>If your intended major is now architecture; you really need to back this up with actual interest and passion. Take an art class, do SOMETHING to show interest. For Syracuse; their 5-year B. Arch program requires a portfolio of original, creative work. To get there; apart from your academics & SAT’s; you need to start drawing. Because you don’t have any art experience, it might be best to start in a structured classroom environment, where you’ll get guidance & feedback.</p>

3

<p>Agree with jg, beyond academics and test scores, thus far you haven’t shown any interest or talent in art or architecture. 5 yr BArch programs will place a lot of value on your portfolio and other art oriented ECs as they want people that they know have the skills and will stick with the program. </p>

<p>If you haven’t already, I suggest you go to the Architecture Major subforum, do some Searches there and read current threads to find out more about the various routes to becoming an architect. While it may be very difficult for you to get into a 5 yr BArch out of HS, there are many excellent 4 yr BA or BS in Arch Studies programs that would prepare you for getting your certification via a MArch.</p>