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How do I strengthen my college application as someone who wants to major in architecture?
As someone who wants to apply to schools with competitive architecture programs, how do I prove to admission officers that I’m qualified? Are there extracurriculars or courses that will strengthen my application?
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Diganta’s Answer
Hello Crystal,
You've asked a great question! As a designer with a varied background, I've been fortunate enough to gain acceptance into master's programs in diverse fields like Game Design, Comic Making, Art Direction, and Film Making. I'd love to share some advice on how to make your application for architecture school stand out:
1) Crafting a Stellar Statement of Purpose (SOP):
1a) Pen down a captivating essay that paints a vivid picture of your love for architecture, your journey so far, and your dreams for the future.
1b) The 'Why': This is the part where you delve into your motivations. Why architecture? What drives you? What kind of change do you hope to make in the world? Share stories or experiences that have shaped your decision to follow this path.
1c) It's best to avoid saying you're pursuing the degree just to secure a job. I've learned that this can leave a negative impression. Instead, frame it in a way that focuses on your goals and how you aim to contribute to a particular cause or issue.
2) Showcasing Your Work:
2a) Build a diverse, carefully curated portfolio that highlights your finest architectural work. Incorporate a mix of media like sketches, digital designs, 3D models, drawings, and even photography.
2b) Emphasize your design process, your knack for problem-solving, your creativity, and your ability to visually express your ideas. Remember to "DOCUMENT" your entire process. This is crucial as it gives the reviewer a glimpse into your thought process.
2c) Include any independent research, experiments, or innovations you've undertaken in the field of architecture.
There are numerous courses available on platforms like Coursera and EdX that can reinforce your application and demonstrate your enthusiasm for learning.
Pro Tip: Make use of resources like Youtube, Reddit, and Quora to learn more about the specific school you're applying to. You can gain valuable insights from students who've been accepted. For example, NYU has a helpful "this is what we're looking for in applicants" video on Youtube.
Best of luck to you!
You've asked a great question! As a designer with a varied background, I've been fortunate enough to gain acceptance into master's programs in diverse fields like Game Design, Comic Making, Art Direction, and Film Making. I'd love to share some advice on how to make your application for architecture school stand out:
1) Crafting a Stellar Statement of Purpose (SOP):
1a) Pen down a captivating essay that paints a vivid picture of your love for architecture, your journey so far, and your dreams for the future.
1b) The 'Why': This is the part where you delve into your motivations. Why architecture? What drives you? What kind of change do you hope to make in the world? Share stories or experiences that have shaped your decision to follow this path.
1c) It's best to avoid saying you're pursuing the degree just to secure a job. I've learned that this can leave a negative impression. Instead, frame it in a way that focuses on your goals and how you aim to contribute to a particular cause or issue.
2) Showcasing Your Work:
2a) Build a diverse, carefully curated portfolio that highlights your finest architectural work. Incorporate a mix of media like sketches, digital designs, 3D models, drawings, and even photography.
2b) Emphasize your design process, your knack for problem-solving, your creativity, and your ability to visually express your ideas. Remember to "DOCUMENT" your entire process. This is crucial as it gives the reviewer a glimpse into your thought process.
2c) Include any independent research, experiments, or innovations you've undertaken in the field of architecture.
There are numerous courses available on platforms like Coursera and EdX that can reinforce your application and demonstrate your enthusiasm for learning.
Pro Tip: Make use of resources like Youtube, Reddit, and Quora to learn more about the specific school you're applying to. You can gain valuable insights from students who've been accepted. For example, NYU has a helpful "this is what we're looking for in applicants" video on Youtube.
Best of luck to you!
Updated
Julianne J’s Answer
Hello, Crystal! I am an interior designer now, but when I was applying to colleges in the early 2000s I applied to FIFTEEN different architecture programs and learned a LOT about what schools want from prospective students!
I recommend that you identify a few programs you want to apply to because this will help you know what they want to see from applicants. Are there schools near you that offer in state tuition rates or good financial aid? Do you want to go to college in a big city or a small college town? Do you want to stay near home or travel far? Find architects that are doing work that interests you and look up what schools they went to. Because each architecture program is different, it is helpful to narrow down your search.
How are architecture schools different? Some are 5 year programs, some are 4+2 year programs. Some are more conceptual with a focus on drawing, and others are more technical with a focus on computer skills. One thing that you want to make sure of is that the school should be NAAB accredited! If you don't go to an accredited school, it may hold you back from getting licensed later in your career. More on that here: https://www.ncarb.org/earn-a-degree/study-architecture/accredited-programs
Just like how the architecture schools are different, their admissions processes are all different, too. Some require a portfolio in the application, some do not. One school I applied to required that I schedule an interview with an alumni! And some programs will admit you directly into the architecture program, but other programs will only admit you into the overall university and after a semester or two you have to apply into the architecture program. Some of the schools I applied to that didn't let me into their architecture program offered admission to their other programs like interior design or landscape architecture.
That all being said, because I knew I wanted to apply to architecture school, I chose to take both engineering and fine art courses in high school. Architecture is a beautiful combination of creativity and math, so studying both of those is important. As far as extra curriculars go, you can see if there are any engineering summer camps or after school art programs near you. Above all, you want to present yourself as both prepared and well rounded. I did a lot of music and theater in high school, and the college I went to didn't have programs for either of those things, but it made me a better applicant because I presented myself as well rounded and interesting!
It is NEVER too early to begin talking to design schools! I knew I wanted to go to architecture school, so I began visiting campuses as a high school sophomore. Ask to speak with a professor or alumni about the program. Many professionals will be excited to talk to you about what they do. The university I went to is called Thomas Jefferson University's College of Architecture and the Built Environment. They have a virtual summer program for high schoolers interested in architecture and design! Check it out: https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/summer-academy/architecture-and-the-built-environment-academy/about-the-summer-program.html
Find a few architecture programs you like.
Research their application process and requirements.
Speak to professors and alumni.
Explore both creativity and mathematics!
I recommend that you identify a few programs you want to apply to because this will help you know what they want to see from applicants. Are there schools near you that offer in state tuition rates or good financial aid? Do you want to go to college in a big city or a small college town? Do you want to stay near home or travel far? Find architects that are doing work that interests you and look up what schools they went to. Because each architecture program is different, it is helpful to narrow down your search.
How are architecture schools different? Some are 5 year programs, some are 4+2 year programs. Some are more conceptual with a focus on drawing, and others are more technical with a focus on computer skills. One thing that you want to make sure of is that the school should be NAAB accredited! If you don't go to an accredited school, it may hold you back from getting licensed later in your career. More on that here: https://www.ncarb.org/earn-a-degree/study-architecture/accredited-programs
Just like how the architecture schools are different, their admissions processes are all different, too. Some require a portfolio in the application, some do not. One school I applied to required that I schedule an interview with an alumni! And some programs will admit you directly into the architecture program, but other programs will only admit you into the overall university and after a semester or two you have to apply into the architecture program. Some of the schools I applied to that didn't let me into their architecture program offered admission to their other programs like interior design or landscape architecture.
That all being said, because I knew I wanted to apply to architecture school, I chose to take both engineering and fine art courses in high school. Architecture is a beautiful combination of creativity and math, so studying both of those is important. As far as extra curriculars go, you can see if there are any engineering summer camps or after school art programs near you. Above all, you want to present yourself as both prepared and well rounded. I did a lot of music and theater in high school, and the college I went to didn't have programs for either of those things, but it made me a better applicant because I presented myself as well rounded and interesting!
It is NEVER too early to begin talking to design schools! I knew I wanted to go to architecture school, so I began visiting campuses as a high school sophomore. Ask to speak with a professor or alumni about the program. Many professionals will be excited to talk to you about what they do. The university I went to is called Thomas Jefferson University's College of Architecture and the Built Environment. They have a virtual summer program for high schoolers interested in architecture and design! Check it out: https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/summer-academy/architecture-and-the-built-environment-academy/about-the-summer-program.html
Julianne J recommends the following next steps: