Seeking Advice

College Majors Architecture Major
1

<p>I'm applying to:</p>

<p>Cornell
Cooper Union
Pratt Institute
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute
Boston University </p>

<p>These schools I know have architecture programs.</p>

<p>I'm also applying to NYU Poly, and I know its an engineering school, but I was wondering if I could maybe major in civil engineering and then go for architecture during grad school--is that a good option?</p>

<p>I have no "art studio" experience, and for alot of these schools, I've been scrambling about to prepare a portfolio. How much emphasis is placed on a portfolio and what exactly are they looking for in a portfolio?</p>

<p>I do photography for a hobby, so i'm planning on including photos, but in terms of sketches, what are they looking for?</p>

<p>A sense of direction would be greatly appreciated. ;)</p>

2

<p>I would not recommend getting a civil engineering degree in undergrad if you want to be an architect, it’s just too much of a detour.</p>

<p>For portfolios you just have to look at each individual school. The private schools tend to want a portfolio since they are more comfortable making value judgments, a lot of the state schools stick to GPA’s and SAT’s.</p>

<p>As for the content, each school has individual requirements (Cooper is very specific), but in general they want to see some artistic interest and skill. Photos are fine, but they need to be supplemented with sketches, painting, collage, watercolors; generally anything other than computer drawings of buildings you have designed.</p>

<p>rick</p>