Hi, I’m a high school junior who is set on a BArch degree. I just wrapped up a touring vacation of 8 schools (RISD,RPI, CMU, VT, Cornell, Syracuse, Cooper Union and Penn State). My top three schools are Cornell, CMU and Virginia Tech, but I am unable to afford the tuition at Cornell and CMU without a major (25k) price reduction. As my family is wealth enough to be unable to qualify for financial aid, but we must save up most of our money to take care of one of my brothers, anything I qualify for will be merit based, I need to take loans past the fist 100k I spend. I don’t want to take on more than 100k of debt, and only VT allows me to do that. At this point, i’m torn on whether I should just apply there and a few other schools just to be safe, or I should still go through the immense effort to create a Cornell worthy portfolio, go to there and CMU for interviews, stress over every word of my essay, ect. With my GPA of 3.85 and a ACT of 33, I feel like my chances of getting in to VT are very high, and I loved everything I saw there, although academically I liked CMU and Cornell more. Any thoughts?
Run the net price calculators for each school to be sure that you wouldn’t qualify for any need-based aid. If you still come up short, then don’t apply.
Cornell, for one, does not offer merit aid. Five years there would put you into debilitating debt, which, considering architecture salaries, is not a realistic plan. It’s disappointing because I’m sure you’ve worked hard, but you can revisit Cornell when you’re ready to get an MArch.
I believe CMU does offer merit aid (Presidential and Carnegie Scholarships) but I don’t know the likelihood of getting one. I’m sure they are very competitive, but still possible.
You might also look at Tulane and Auburn.
What about some of the 4+2 programs? You’d have to research further, but I believe quite a few offer merit aid, as well as work-study options. Look at WUSTL, Cincinnati, Northeastern.
Thank you for thoughtfull comment. I have run the calculators, and unfortunately have come up short. The carnegie scholarships are promising, but only awarded to around 50 students in the entire university, so I may still apply, but I think my chances are low. Tulane is in the same 70k category, but its merit scholarship program is promising, so it warrants a look. Although Auburn would be a great option, one where I automatically qualify for funds, my parents have a negative view of Alabama for in my opinion, silly reasons and have made it clear they they aren’t open to it. The 4+2 programs are a good idea, and ill talk to my parent about it. my original thinking was that a 5 would save me time and money, but I do value a stronger education as well.
I don’t know much about Auburn (or Alabama) overall, but their architecture program is top-notch. Perhaps you could arrange to visit with your parents.
UVA and UMich also have strong BS+MArch programs, but I’m not sure about financial aid to out of staters. There are many ways to get to the goal of a BArch or an MArch and the financial element is equally variable.
Are your parents encouraging you to apply to Cornell and other seemingly unaffordables? If yes, they may ultimately be willing to make it work financially for the quality and prestige of the program. It’s early days yet in the application process. Keep talking to them.
I’d suggest you apply to RPI as well. Well-respected architecture program, and if your stats are high you’re likely to get merit aid.
CMU merit scholarships are hard to get. My D got one but it wasn’t enough to make it affordable, and RPI offered twice as much $ so she went there.
My parents still think its worth applying, and I will take your advice and continue my discussions with them