<p>I'm a rising senior planning on applying ED to Cornell School of Architecture.</p>
<p>I fit the stereotypical reclusive, aspiring-architect type:
White Male
SAT: 2130 (first time, plan on retaking) 690 Math, 690 Verbal, 750 Writing (12 essay) will retake until i get a 2200 or so.<br>
SAT II's : 760 on Math I, (plan on taking Math II, writing), 780 on US History
AP's: STAT: 4
US History:5
2-D studio: 4
Art history: 4
HS GPA: 3.73 unweighted, 4.1 weighted (i took 24 honors/AP classes)
Senior Course Load: BC Calc, AP English, AP Physics, AP comp sci, AP Gov/Eco, AP Studio, Painting IVH
I should graduate with about 36 high school credits (is that as above average as I think?)</p>
<p>A few clubs, president of NAHS (A=art), academic team, NHS (of course), numerous art awards, including national scholastic gold key award, work about 25 hrs/week.</p>
<p>My EC's aren't that great, I basically study architecture in my spare time, I've done thousands upon thousands of sketches and projects pertaining to architecture (im obsessed) since the age of 12. But does that really matter to them? </p>
<p>Also, cornell and a few other schools ask for "portfolios"; since my class work has little to do with architecture (my studio art class), my best pieces (the award-winners) are paintings, etc. should I submit my 2-d art or what? </p>
<p>Of course architecture matters to them! That's such a huge part of who you are. Can you submit some of your later works in the portfolio?</p>
<p>APs are good, SAT could be better as you said (but don't overdo it, colleges don't like to see that you took it more than twice). I don't know Cornell that well, but it looks like you would have a good chance at a top school like it. Good luck.</p>
<p>Considering you're an architecture applicant, your stats kind of go out the window. Obviously they have to be good. But your stats are fairly good by any standard for cornell applicants, so now we move on to what is reputed to make or break the application: The portfolio!</p>
<p>The text on the portfolio itself reads
[quote]
PORTFOLIO::
A portfolio must be submitted in order for your application to be considered. You should select a variety of work for your portfolio, choosing from media such as drawing, painting, graphics, photography, woodworking, ceramics, or any other visual media that demonstrate your interest, experience, and aptitude in creative and graphic areas. Samples of freehand drawing are required. Please do not include original work. Reproductions should be high- quality photographs (minimum 3 x 5 inches) or photocopies, not slides. We suggest you include 15-20 items and present your material in a neat, well-organized manner. Label each portfolio item with information on the medium used, whether the project was done on your own or in class, and the original size of the work. Please add a one- or two-sentence comment about each piece you submit. Place your work in a flat binder no larger than 10 x 13 inches with your name clearly on the outside of the binder. You will be at a disadvantage in the admissions process if your portfolio does not meet the above specifications.
[/quote]
The interview is big too, only Hotel and AAP (the latter is where you would apply to) have one.</p>
<p>From everything I've read and been told, many universities do NOT want architecture work because they prefer to teach you about architecture(read: their view, not preconceived notions) and are instead interested in seeing your other artistic talents such as those listed in sparticus's post.</p>
<p>PM me and i'll put you in contact via AIM with a class of '10 Archi student (you'd be class of '11 if you're a rising senior: it's a five year program--just in case the '10 threw you for a loop)</p>