Would you chance me for Syracuse architecture?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Syracuse University
1

<p>Hello, I'm a junior in Virginia high school (class of 2011) and I recently changed my intended major to architecture at Syracuse.</p>

<p>My Courses:</p>

<p>9th grade:
1. Algebra 1 (A)
2. HN Bio (B)
3. Pre-IB Eng (B)
4. Symp. Band (A)
5. PreIB World History 2 (B)
6. PE (A)
7. Spanish 1 (B)
Unweighted GPA: about 3.4
Weighted GPA: about 3.6</p>

<p>Summer:
Geometry (B+)
GPA: 3.5</p>

<p>10th grade:
1. PreIB Govt (C)
2. Journalism 2 - Arts Editor (A)
3. HN Chemistry (C+)
4. PreIB Eng (B)
5. Spanish 2 (B+)
6. PE (A)
7. Driver's Ed (B+) <-this course doesn't count as a credit
8. PreIB Alg2/Trig (C)
UW GPA: barely over 3.0
Weighted GPA: about 3.3</p>

<p>11th Grade:
1. IB Hist of Ame
2. Spanish 3
3. IB Film Study I
4. Journalism 3 - International Editor
5. IB Bio II
6. IB Eng
7. IB Math Study Pt.I</p>

<p>Since junior year hasn't finished yet, I do not have this year's grades.
The 10th&11th weighted GPA's combined is 3.500.
Our school transcript only shows weighted GPA (thank goodness).</p>

<p>Also, our county used to have one of the most competitive grading scales until last year; this year, they gave us some lenience.</p>

<p>For extra-curricular activities:
- Marching Band (9th)
- Award-winning School Newspaper (10th&11th) - Arts & International Editors
- Model UN (10th&11th)
- It's Academic ! (9th&10th)
- INOVA Nursing home (10th&11th)
- National Honor Society (11th)
- National Math Honor Society (10&11th)
- Key Club (9th)
- Newseum Volunteer (11th)
- Quill&Scroll Honor Society (10th&11th)
- Internship at Dem. Committee office (summer between 10th and 11th)
- 8-week Urban Journalism Workshop (10th)</p>

<p>I think this is mostly it... I have more written in my resum</p>

2

<p>My daughter is a senior and was accepted - when we toured the department this summer they said they review the portfolio, and she showed us about 20 portfolios rated 1 - 5 so we could see the quality they require. She said they automatically select 1’s and 2’s and maybe 3’s, and then forward the candidate to the regular admissions process to review academics, etc. There is a strong emphasis on drawing - if you are interested you will need an good portfolio. Also - in general, architecture programs in general often look for physics and calculus.
I recommend you visit architecture schools if you can - it is best to see where you would fit in. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>I applied to the School of Architecture myself and frankly, Syracuse, overall, is not as respected. It used to be, but due to some financial mismanagement in the past, the school has gone down a little. However, Syracuse has one of the top architecture programs in the nation. Therefore, do not be misguided by what others say, as there’s a huge gap between expected stats of architecture applicants and those of the other applicants.</p>

<p>To be honest, your stats are not so competitive. There’s no significant upward trend in your GPA and your SAT scores are below average. Although architects are not expected to be mathematicians, they must have a firm knowledge of mathematics and I personally think that your math score is too low. Plus, your history of ECs worsens the chances. I see that you’ve participated in numerous activities; however, none of them continued for years. What the committee looks for is your level of persistence, not the number of activities you’ve done. They rather prefer someone with one or two activities, in which they have participated from 9th/10th to 12th grade.</p>

<p>However, it becomes a whole different story if your portfolio is superb. I guess, the solution is to improve your SAT score. Try to sit in the 1800s range at least. Also, since you’re a junior, try to continue participating in at least one of the clubs you listed. Lastly, start taking art classes, as they will help you improve your portfolio.</p>

<p>My advice is that studying architecture is more serious than you think. It’s 5-year degree and throughout those years, you’ll find no time to go to college festivals or parties.</p>

4

<p>Laure327 is exactly on point with her review. Either take the SATs again and improve your score or I suggest you contact the school and see if there’s a chance to transfer in after a year.</p>

5

<p>You may want to consider applying to Virginia Tech. It is a highly ranked BArch program and is far more reasonable costwise than Syracuse, especially since you are instate. </p>

<p>Syracuse does stress the portfolio tremendously. You will need to get up to speed on what schools look fo in a portfolio and start taking art and drawing classes. </p>

<p>I believe VTech doesn’t require a portfolio at all.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Having read my post again, I sound a little harsh. However, I tried to be as honest as possible to give you beneficial tips.</p>

<p>By the way, I just got accepted to the School of Architecture and if you have more questions, you’re welcome to PM me. :)</p>

<p>Not that excited though, since it was only my 5th choice but the letter sounds really nice and full of warmth. :P</p>

<p>Dear ______:</p>

<p>Congratulations on your admission to the School of Architecture at Syracuse University for the fall semester, 2010. Your admission is evidence of the Admissions Committee’s confidence in your academic potential, as well as recognition of your personal qualities. We look forward to your contribution to the intellectual vitality and diversity that characterize Syracuse University.</p>

<p>Syracuse University is an exciting place where creativity and opportunity abound across disciplines and colleges. The interactive and collaborative nature of many of our programs creates an environment where faculty and students learn, discover, and create through engagement and experiences with practitioners and communities throughout the world. Discovery and learning at Syracuse have no physical boundaries, as ideas are tested in the marketplace. This commitment to Scholarship in Action provides a foundation for you to be engaged with the world and the issues affecting society today.</p>

<p>To reserve your place in the fall class, please submit the online Admission Acceptance Form (AAF) and any applicable advance payments no later than May 1, 2010. We will credit these payments to your first semester bill. You can access the Admission Acceptance Form via the electronic version of this letter or at <a href=“http://myslice.syr.edu%5B/url%5D”>http://myslice.syr.edu</a> If you have not activated your NetID, you will need to do so to access the Admission Acceptance Form - please visit [NetID</a> Services - Syracuse University - Information Technology and Services](<a href=“http://netid.syr.edu%5DNetID”>http://netid.syr.edu), click on the “Activate Your NetID” link and follow the instructions. You will need your SUID, found at the top right of this letter, to activate your NetID. “Your Admission to Undergraduate Study” is enclosed and should be reviewed carefully. This publication contains information on residence halls, dining options, billing, payment plans and required forms.</p>

<p>Your admission to Syracuse University is contingent upon your maintaining the same level of academic achievement, graduating from secondary school, and having a record of good citizenship at all times. Good citizenship shall include, but not be limited to, compliance with Syracuse University’s Code of Student Conduct, a copy of which is available on the University’s web site at supolicies.syr.edu/studs/ or upon request. It also includes the absence of any other conduct, which if it had occurred before and was known at the time of the admission decision, would have resulted in your denial to the University. Your admission may be rescinded if you fail to meet these standards.</p>

<p>If you have any questions, please call us toll-free at 1-800-388-1902. Again, warmest congratulations on your admission and best wishes from all of us at Syracuse University!</p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>Susan E. Donovan
Dean of Admissions</p>

7

<p>I’m applying to:
Penn-State
Syracuse
UT Austin-1st choice: B.Arch + Architectural Enginnering
-2nd choice: Architectural Engineering
Rice
Carnegie Mellon
University of Waterloo </p>

<p>My GPA is not that high: 3.31 (3.5 last semester)
but I took 5 APs (2D Design, Physics B, Calc AB, Lang, Computer Science)
1 IB (Environmental Science)
6 Honor classes (Math, Chinese, English, Chemistry, Physics, Biology)
SAT: 2030 (retaking during October)
SAT II Math: 780 Physics:660 (retaking it during November)
AP Physics: 4
AP Lang: 3
TOEFL: 108/120.
I’m an international student (Indonesian Chinese), not a US citizen.
Play basketball.
Table Tennis varsity (junior year)
Chess Club leader (I joined since freshman year, I’m the leader this year)
Finished 8th grade in piano (freshman year)
Helped people building houses in Nepal. (junior year)
Got gold medal in Fermat canadian math contest (junior year)
won a couple of intramural chess competitions. (freshman and sophomore year)
And does going to summer program in architecture in crease my chance?
Does legacy affect the admission? Because I heard students have a higher chance of getting in if their parents or relatives went there.</p>

8

<p>Is it OK if most of my stuff that I have in the portfolio are mostly pencil on paper?
Should I include 1 or 2 of the projects that I did during the summer program that I attended?</p>

9

<p>@ jeffshim92: sorry for adding my stuff on your thread. I have no idea how to start a new thread. Someone told me that I need to click a button on the top of the page to start a new thread but I can’t find it.</p>

10

<p>@Kendezi‌ Late post. But the button is at the top, it’s orange, and it says “New Discussion.”</p>