<p>^yes to all</p>
<p>@gomestar i too have been waitlisted by cornell. would it be possible for you to ask your then girlfriend how she went about the whole thing and got into cornell b.arch</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>Could someone perhaps direct me to what a “good portfolio” would look like for a high school student applying? I think I’m reasonably competitive with ECs and Academics, but the Portfolio section has me stumped. I have a year to work on it before I apply to Cornell Architecture. Currently I model architectural structures in Autodesk 3DStudio Max, Google Sketchup, and am working on accustoming myself to the Maya interface.</p>
<p>I’m confused on whether Cornell is looking for drawing/sketching ability, 3D modelling ability, digital modelling, a bit of everything or what? </p>
<p>This is a link to a structure I’d made a few months ago (I’m working on the interior at the base now…). Is it the kind of thing I’d include in a portfolio even though it’s a replica of a real structure rather than my own design?: <a href=“http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2387/b33v.png”>http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2387/b33v.png</a> </p>
<p>@Foolsgold345 you ought to start a new thread. This is really old! You’ll get more feedback that way. </p>
<p>@Foolsgold345 DO NOT PUT ANY TECHNICAL ARCHITECTURE DRAWINGS/MODELS IN YOUR PORTFOLIO!
Right now, you are doing the opposite of what these architecture schools want - they advise drawings/paintings/ceramics/anything art related that shows your creativity — if your going to show anything from a 3D model just make sure that represents your creativity and not technical skill (perhaps implement your 3d models into a graphic painting seems like a cool idea) </p>
<p>Im not making this stuff up, I have seen so many successful architecture portfolios and its usually on every single architecture portfolio guideline page on every architecture admissions website! Good luck! </p>
<p>I had four pages of technical models in my portfolio for Cornell, and I got in last year…</p>
<p>Seriously, put whatever shows the most of your conceptual and creative abilities. Schools often dislike models and drawings because they are usually only an exercise in technical ability, and show nothing of one’s creative abilities. However, if you feel that your models express some creative aspect about how you think, than you should already feel the need to include them.</p>
<p>Pick the work that resonates the most with YOU as an individual, and let the schools see your work as a reflection of you instead of what they want to see (because I assure you they have far too much of that). If you are truly confident in your work, than it should be self-evident what you should and should not include in your own application, as that work is supposed to show what YOU can offer to the school of architecture. </p>
<p>@newjersey17: Oh sorry I thought it was only a couple weeks old. My bad, but seeing I’ve gotten some feedback I’ll just continue here. Thank you though!</p>
<p>@thegrant: Thank you for your help! I can be creative, but I dislike mediums such as watercolor and sketches which is why 3D modeling is more down my alley. I prefer digital art so I may look into that. </p>
<p>@zipzoop: Thank you so much for the detailed response! Is there any particular reason that technical skill isn’t valued as much as creative? From my understanding, both can be developed. But what you said made perfect sense and I understand I should just stay true to myself in the admissions process. </p>
Architecture schools are there to teach technical skills, while creative skills are generally expected to come from the students themselves without any instruction on how to “be creative.” Almost anyone can be taught how to use computer modeling software or build models, but creative problem solving, to me, is a much more complex and innate skill set that schools like Cornell are particularly scouting for.
However, if you feel like you can do more with technical media, then definitely include it. Learning other less technical mediums, like paining or collage, just to build a portfolio will come off as amateurish, and there are definitely others out there who can do that better.
Just have fun, be diligent, and know that the schools that see potential in your work are going to be the best to help you thrive. Cornell produces a specific type of work that you may find you don’t agree with, and that’s ok. And the end of the day, you want a school that will allow you to explore the areas of architecture that interest you, and you are a lot more likely to find that if you stay true to what interests you.
do you guys know what the acceptance rate is for AAP? I applied for urban and regional planning
I have the same question. Does any of you guys know the acceptance rate for AAP? I’m applying this december, and it’s SO hard to find any information about AAP.
@LettuceBeBananas It is about 12-14%.
@SaifoSehamy, Could you please provide a link to the Cornell acceptance rate? Do you know if it’s for the whole of AAP or just the BArch?
@LettuceBeBananas WashU Architecture acceptance rate was also low - 14%. Unfortunately, its hard to get into Architecture because of limited space. For example the average incoming freshman class at WashU is 55, ND is 44, and Rice is 25. I don’t know the size of Cornell’s but I’m sure it’s small too. Just be sure to apply to a couple safeties and as many others as you’d like. Good luck!!
@newjersey17 @SaifoSehamy Thank you so much for the response! Do you know if architecture schools look more at your stats (gpa and sat/act) or portfolio? I have 3.9 gpa and 2140 sat score, but I’m not sure if I should take ACT and improve my stats or focus on my portfolio.
@LettuceBeBananas I personally think that your scores are fine, especially for architecture. Most architecture schools (including Cornell) place a big emphasis of your application on your portfolio and extra-circulars that relate to your passion for architecture. In my opinion, your scores have already granted you the “cut-off” for further consideration into your application, and your focus now should just be maintain your GPA and working on your portfolio and essays that should accompany your architectural passion and ambition. Good luck!
@LettuceBeBananas if there was one tip I could give you it is to make sure your supplemental essay for Cornell clearly shows why you think the B.Arch program at Cornell will help achieve your dreams and ambitions; what exactly does Cornell offer that you love so much. Personally, I feel that my essay was the only reason I got deferred and not rejected from Cornell in the first place.
I’m currently a B.Arch student at Cornell. There were 60 people in my class (3 dropped out in the first semester), and the acceptance rate was about 5 % last year. From what our professors are saying, portfolio was the most important part of the application, especially because it was the faculty reviewing it.