<p>as of now, i plan on applying to ND and pursuing a degree in architecture,</p>
<p>but... Would it be smarter to check the box on my application for a different major, and then just go into architecture anyways?</p>
<p>my reasons for asking are: at nd, any student can declare any major, so it wouldn't be a hassle... and those applying to architecture may have a portfolio, which i currently do not have</p>
<p>i just don't want to be put at a disadvantage in admissions to students who have a stronger architecture background than myself</p>
<p>As an admitted student planning on being an architecture major, I'd say this:</p>
<p>DON'T WORRY</p>
<p>Notre Dame doesn't require a portfolio, but a strong portfolio will complement your application in a positive way (I attended their summer architecture program and heard directly from one of their professors that a good portfolio can "tip the scale" of your chance for admission if you're a less-than-excellent applicant). But then an admissions counselor who was sitting right next to him clarified his statement by saying that no portfolio will be put ahead of one's basic qualifications, like GPA, SAT scores, ECs, etc.</p>
<p>As you may already know, Notre Dame's architecture is a very well-received one and ranks high on the list of B.Arch programs in the country. One may ask, "But they don't require a portfolio like other schools?" - I think there's a good reason behind that. Personally, I think that is because of the nature of the program.</p>
<p>I can only write about what I know, and being only an admitted student I don't know about Notre Dame's program as much as a current student would. But my understanding is that you don't have to be "artsy" to become an architecture major at ND - it's not Cornell, Syracuse, or their equivalents. And I think they do a great job of training their students, regardless of their previous backgrounds prior to entering ND, in drawing/watercolor techniques.</p>
<p>Good luck on your college search. Feel free to PM me if you have questions.</p>
<p>P.S. I really recommend their architecture program. It's only two weeks long in June so it doesn't take up your entire summer like the one at Cornell does, but it's long enough to give you a chance to learn about ND's program and what it's all about. For me, their program was the selling point for ND.</p>
<p>As for selecting your "intended major" on your application, I think you'd actually be better off by choosing architecture. As you know, it's a five-year program, which means the FA office will need to figure out something different for you compared to other people planning on doing other majors. I'm in that situation right now - I knew I was gonna do architecture, but I didn't have enough money for five years' worth of tuition so I chekced off "undecided." I'm an international, and surprisingly I got in with some FA - now they're sort of re-doing my FA. I might have unnecessarily made things harder for myself.</p>
<p>might i suggest going to the architecture program over the summer if that is still available and if you are able to?</p>
<p>my friend did it last year and i know they had to do some things for a portfolio so it would show interest in ND and also allow you to start a portfolio</p>
<p>I'm in the exact same boat. I'm fairly certain I'm going to pursue architecture, but have no portfolio to speak of. I will be applying next year (early?) so I suppose I should decide whether I'm going to apply straight into architecture. The poster that talked about FA had a good point so I might have to rethink things.</p>
<p>My son is in his second year at Notre Dame, and is now in the School of Architecture. Technicially, he's a transfer, because he enrolled in the College of Arts and Letters at the end of his Freshman year and entered the School of Architecture when he returned to campus, after a long summer of trying to decide between the two.</p>
<p>So, he was admitted to the university without a portfolio. He did take a mix of architecture and liberal arts courses in his Freshman year, so transferring into the School was not difficult; It seemed to me that his lack of a portfolio was not an issue, but if he had not taken a few of the architecture courses as a freshman, he may have had trouble transferring in.</p>