<p>How should a person who is "smart" by all standards use their intelligence to stand out in their college application to an Ivy League school? Is it really necessary to go to the lengths of publishing your theories in philosophy or getting recruited to play pro sports before the age of 18? I myself want to major in architecture at an Ivy League school and have a heaping stack of ECs (almost 20 including Beta Club, National Honor Society, People to People International, Architecture and Civil Engineering Mentorship Program (ACE), as well as varsity soccer keeper and varsity cross-country), but I don't know if good scores and ECs are necessarily enough nowadays. What do you think? How can a person like me push the envelope? I'm a good artist and musician, but how can I use these things to my advantage (or anyone else for that matter)?
Thanks in advance, Jaker09.</p>
<p>"sleep with someone famous...or kill them"</p>
<p>I think that's from Mike Judge</p>
<p>Jaker- you mentioned that you have 20 ECs. This is where I think people get confused a lot. The more ECs isn't always better. Most schools like to see you extremely dedicated in a few activities than not active in 20 or 30. </p>
<p>TO answer your question- do something to show that you are focused on architecture, since that's what you said you want to major in, right? Get an internship at an architecture office, or job shadow a few architects for a few weeks. It would add something meaningful to those "Why did you choose this particular field" essay. From my experience, most HS students who want to study architecture just say "I like Art and Math." Try and stand out by not doing something generic like that. Stressing that ACE mentorship program you went to would probably be a good idea.</p>
<p>attach a naked picture</p>
<p>^^^lol; but only if the pic won't scar the adcoms for life... :p</p>
<p>What if I've been really committed to all of my ECs? I'm president of 7 of them. And It's only possible to do so much. I will intern somewhere though (that's a good suggestion.)</p>
<p>Well, I did sleep with Brittany Spears' Sister... woops, I've said too much. </p>
<p>But seriously, thanks for the help everyone. Keep the posts coming!</p>
<p>statutory rape is definitely a good thing to add to the application...</p>
<p>being president of 7 ECs while maintaining good grades is pretty impressive</p>
<p>your portfolio I would say, if more important than your EC's. it's certainly impressive that you're president of 7 different clubs, and that may or may not play to your advantage. and btw, cornell is the only school that offers an NAAB accredited undergraduate architecture degree if you're planning to pursue arch as an undergrad.</p>
<p>Thanks m24flo.<br>
I'm aware that there are many other accredited schools, and although Cornell is #1 on my list, the real problem is finding schools with Barchs instead of a B.A. in Architecture. I am looking at Carnegie Mellon, Harvard, Yale, And Wash U. as well.</p>
<p>are you a junior right now? If so, check out Cornell Summer college (the architecture program). Doing an awesome job in that program would give your application a leg up for any school you apply to.</p>
<p>Thanks yousonofatree. I've been considering it already and your recommendation makes me think that I probably will do it. And yes, I am junior right now.</p>