Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)
Pratt Institute
University of Southern California (USC)
Tulane University
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Temple University
University of Oregon
Cranbrook Academy of Art
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
Kansas State University
M.Arch I&II 2023 Application Status
has anyone received financial aid info from UW Seattle yet?
waiting for that as well, should be within this week
Waiting on that too, fingers crossed
Hi, might be a bit late but I got my letter for financials on the 8th.
Wash U Sam Fox is out! Just admissions and said they would follow up on financial aid and other stuff in a later email.
Damn I'm worried i still haven't got the mail
Have any international applicants heard from washU?
I am an international applicant
yes
I was accepted as international.
USC sent an email with admission letter at 1:52PM. Got accepted! However, no information in terms of financial aid.
M. ARCH 1 Mid size private university BSA
IN: USC 2 year w $, UCLA in state, UT in state, Tulane 2 year w $$, Cal Poly Pomona
OUT: Rice, UC Berkeley
Deciding between UCLA, USC, and UT. Please let me know your thoughts!!
Take the cheapest option. Everything else is irrelevant.
Money aside
^no. Money is never aside.
Do the two-year at USC. I'd say if you got $ it's cheaper than UCLA or UT (but knowing baseline USC tuition it's probably not). It also means you can get out and work/earn a salary faster, which helps in the long run. If you want to live in LA or California, USC and UCLA are two of the top three programs in the state. Tulane two-year could be cheaper but alumni + names could give you an advantage in the long run if you wanted to move to the west coast either way. Sometimes you've got to spend money to make money, why else would anyone pay more for college than they needed to?
Did you end up choosing a school yet? I'm considering ucla but on the fence
Anyone hear from Notre Dame or Virginia Tech?
Did you hear back from Virginia Tech. I saw one admit on grad cafe today
no, but the portal was updated to "awaiting confirmation" Rejected from Notre Dame yesterday
Accepted to VT about 10 pm last night
accepted to VT as well, really late in the night
Have you heard anything on funding or which track? We did apply for 2 yr. Were you able to create your PID?
Just received admission to GSAPP. Got an email to check portal
Let the anxiety begin
MARCH I may I ask?
did you get $$?
didn't get an email yet but admission updated in the portal
did you get offer letter when you check the portal?
yes
May I ask what program you are applying for?
again, proud reject of Columbia!
@weathers @maki191 yes MArch I and the email led me to a letter in the portal
Notification email went to "promotions" tab FYI. Got accepted to the dual M.Arch + M.S.RED program
in MSAUD.
Was waitlisted.
i got in too!! no information about $$ tho
Yes no info at all.. I emailed them asking
Let us know if you end up receiving some form FA. I had it on my email and was able to see what they were going to give me, so it's weird they would leave it out.
I also got accepted with no info on FA nor scholarship. I would assume im not getting anything right?
in at Yale M.Archll, Cornell MSAAD $, GSAPP MSAUD,
out GSD.
Anyone advice on choosing between Cornell MSAAD with 35K and GSAPP MSAUD? Both programs provide great courses for me, but while the 35K from Cornell is attractive, I prefer the experience of living in NYC. As an international student, I find it difficult to determine which program would offer better job prospects and networking opportunities. I understand that it ultimately depends on my portfolio, but any insights would be great.
as a fellow international student that is currently working in the state. the ultimate answer is the location doesn't matter. i did my undergraduate in the middle of no where midwest and i still landed a job by networking and connections. the key is not were you are located but your relationship with prof, connections to the industry and how strong is the career team in school. you can always fly out for interviews and i did that multiple times. as an international i am also worried about cost of living and crime rates in the area as living in a small town gives me a better chance to save, focus on my stud
ies and really take some time for myself. but the ultimate decision is up to you. for me, i would rather pay 1k to live with 1 roomates with a decedent apartment in a small ish town than 3k for a shoe box in a crowded gutter for 'experience'
Thank you for your advice. I should consider my expected living expenses and compare them with what I want. As a fellow international student, I want to thank you and also support you.
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
Bachelors of Science in Architecture / University at Buffalo / 2023
GPA
3.6, no GRE or TOEFL
Letter of recommendations
Three from my previous studio professors, though some schools only required two.
Personal Essay/Statement
I introduced some topics that interested me such as urban based architecture, and building for urban communities. I also explained what I learned in school and how studying in Buffalo helped me to not only learn about architecture, but aspects of urban and communal needs and responsibility in design. Also explained why I wanted to attend the school (such as specific things in their program I found interesting, location, and even affordability for one of them) For Parsons, I wrote about a real building as a case study for their prompt that related back to my interest in housing.
Portfolio
Projects from my sophomore, junior, and my senior year. (Though I recently update my portfolio with stuff from my construction technology class for internships, but I unfortunately I didn't include it in any of my grad school applications.)
Schools
- University at Buffalo
- Bernard Anne Spitzer at CCNY
- NYIT
- Pratt
- Parsons
Open house impressions
Only attended one open house so far for NYIT. Thought it was ok. Graduate studio director explained some stuff for the curriculum such as design-build courses and study abroad opportunities.
Results
University at Buffalo (Accepted)
CCNY (Accepted)
Pratt (Accepted)
Parsons (Waiting)
NYIT (Waiting)
I am holding off on making a decision for now regarding if I want to stay in Buffalo or go back to NYC until all of them come in, and I also get an idea of the professional opportunities and paths (such as internships) that are available to me.
(Update) Accepted to NYIT M.Arch track II, now only waiting for Parsons
Do you know when Parsons should be coming out?
I think it should be soon though I'm not sure exactly when. Last I checked, the application status in my portal changed from "awaiting decision" to blank.
Same here. I thought blank meant rejected lol. I called the admissions office and they said mid to late march so probably soon
(Update) Accepted to Parsons with advanced placement and 75% scholarship.
Same here! 75% scholarship and advanced placement
Anyone else waiting on UCLA? It's my last school and it's killing me!
Yup waiting on ucla as well!
Reading through last year’s thread has been more or less helpful and informative… So I’ve decided to post my backgrounds + tips here.
Public School in Mid West
B.S. in Architecture + A.B. in Political Science. Graduating in 2023.
3.9 - V157Q170
3 studio professors. 1 I only know in the academic setting, 2 I’ve got to know them personally over the years.
Briefly talked about my upbringing, shifting social class, and moving to a different country, having a degree in PolSci prompted me to think abt architecture in more sociological/political ways; worked as an editor for several journals during my ug years, which informed my interests in HTC; my interests in design in Spatial Narratives and Politics, architecture as a medium of socio-cultural criticism… Wasn’t super school-specific though.
5 Projects in total. 4 school projects + 1 competition.
Princeton, MIT, GSD, Yale, GSAPP, Cornell, Rice
Princeton - Didn’t go to the open house, but my college roommate is now a student at the school so I visited him during the school year. Lovely studio, with a lot of workspaces, a lot of advanced machines in the FabLab, great curriculum (especially for people who have a profound interest in HTC). I have a couple of friends at Princeton Architecture already so I know that the student body is amazing.
GSD (online) - somewhat corporate. Didn’t learn a lot from the Open House though - basically, it was Mark Lee reading a bunch of stuff you can find on their website…
In w/ $$$ - Princeton, Rice
In w/ $$ - Cornell
In w/ $Pending - Yale
In - GSD, GSAPP
Waiting for MIT...
Perfecting a Personal Statement takes wayyyy longer than you imagine… Start early, not only on the portfolio but also on PS. Get as many people as possible to look at your stuff. Showing works and PS to people who are outside the field is also interesting and can lead to inspiring, eye-opening conversations.
Hi, congrats!
GSAPP MArch II?
All MArch I programs...
Several of my classmates got accepted to Columbia GSAPP (AAD, AUD, ) without completing/submitting their applications. One uploaded just one recommendation letter, one didn't write the PS, and one didn't even finish the portfolio. This is super weird. Anyone of you has the same situation? Is GSAPP running into financial issues this year?
Not sure, but I also think of my acceptance as very odd lol. I got waitlisted from RISD, denied from Harvard, Princeton, Yale, etc... but got into GSAPP.
Has anyone heard from the MIT SMarchS programs?
Has anyone heard from Financial Aid Office of Yale? Acceptance letter said they will reach out with funding information…
Yes. Did you submit your CSS profile to Yale? If you haven’t receive an award email then that is probably the issue. I’m not sure what the problem is if you have already submitted.
Yes I did submit CSS profile. When did you receive your award letter?
I got my letter on March 10th, and I submitted all the financial stuff way before the deadline so that could be why it's taking longer for you.
I finally got my award letter!!! I was so stressed about it. a congratulations to all of us!
Definitely relied on this forum this year so thought I would share!
Applied for M.Arch I AP.
State school, graduating in May of 2023.
B.S. in architectural studies and B.A. in Spanish
3.9
1 studio professor, 1 history professor (capstone advisor), and 1 other professor
Tailored each letter to the school, spoke mainly about the complex area of cultures I am in at the moment and how to bring narratives of underrepresented people forward through space, my time abroad and capstone project. Definitely talked about intersectionality with language and architecture too as that was my capstone project.
2 school studio projects, 1 professional, and 1-2 for my capstone
Rice, UW, Michigan, RISD, GSD (two programs), GSAPP, Princeton
Did not attend any, did speak to students at some schools though before applying.
In at UW with scholarships
In at UMich with scholarships
In at RISD with scholarships (all these above are for advanced standing)
In at GSD for MDes degree with scholarships
Out at Rice, GSD M.Arch I, Princeton, and GSAPP
I think having a very clear focus of what you want to study and can bring to the school is really important and something I wish I could have honed more before. Time is quick and the portfolio I wish I had represented things a bit differently. But, happy with where I am in!
Hi! congratulations! I was also admitted to MDes, can I ask how much you received in scholarships? I did not receive financial aid and am now trying to negotiate.
Thanks! I think I received 20k for this year.
Congrats. I got into MDes too with same amount of scholarship like you
may i see your portfolio for MDes?
Has anyone gotten a rejection email from Pratt?
Still haven't gotten anything at all and am thinking I should just assume that's what it means?
I still have not heard anything. I would not assume rejection either though if you had a decent app.
Hello, I have not heard anything back yet either. I believe they are rolling. I submitted my application last day. when did you submit yours?
I also submitted mine last day
Hopefully we’ll hear soon. Mine was later as well.
Still waiting...so anxious, fingers crossed
Has anyone been able to get in contact with Pratt about admissions decision? Their admissions team does not answer emails or phone calls
are schools for M. Arch required to notify applicants of their admission decision by March 15th?
Don't think that is set in stone, but this week is probably the last main week we will be waiting. MIT states they will be starting by then, and UCLA has already been extremely delayed.
I sent an email to MIT asking when they would be releasing the decisions and received no response so far. It is odd that there is still not a single acceptance mentioned in grad cafe or here.
I don't think so. Virginia Tech has on its website says notifications are released up to April 1.
Last year March 15th-22nd was when they started releasing decisions, so end of this week to next week is when we'll start hearing back
pogo91, is there any response from the admission office?
no :(
USC, B. Arch, 2016
3.31 GPA, not taking GRE or TOEFL
2 Letters of Rec: Former thesis instructor and project manager from architecture firm I worked at for five years after graduating
Reflecting on undergrad and work experience, detailing some of the projects I did/worked on, why I want to go back to school and how each specific school can help my career go in the direction I want it to
25-35 pages depending on each school's requirements. 3-4 undergrad projects and 2 professional.
Architectural Association, UCL Bartlett, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, Royal College of Art & Royal Danish Academy
I wasn't able to attend any open houses but I did attend an applicant drop in call for AA with the director of the program I applied to and it was very beneficial. There were only a few of us so we got to each ask questions and have a decently long/detailed conversation. I think it was crucial for them to be able to put a face/personality to the name.
IN - AA, Edinburgh, Manchester & RCA
Still waiting to hear back from Bartlett & RDA. I had an interview with Bartlett and they said they would update the portal shortly
I personally had to do a deep dive into what exactly I wanted from grad school (if it was worth it to pursue or just continue working in the field). Once I started to work on my personal statement it became clear what I wanted and how each grad school could get me there. If I didn't find a specific program or studio within the architecture school that offered exactly what I was looking for, I didn't apply. I felt like each application was very tailored and expressed how we could both benefit from one another.
As far as the portfolio goes, I was concerned that my graphic skills weren't up to par. I tend to lean more towards clean, yet affective graphics that let the projects speak for themselves as opposed to flashy renderings, etc. Based off my acceptances, I think this was appreciated. Not to say that more aggressive graphics are bad, but I think it's more important to stay true to yourself as a designer than to follow what you think is trendy at the moment.. just my thoughts.. who really knows!
I'll update once I hear back from Bartlett and RDA. Good luck to everyone out there!
When did you hear back from Edinburgh?
Jan 26th - they were the first to get back to me. Did you apply?
Did you apply to AA Diploma Part 2? I’ve also been accepted and thinking of going! Still waiting for RCA though, applied round 2
No I actually applied to their MArch Design & Make program! Ahh congrats that's so awesome! Yeah, RCA seems unique being surrounded by all of the art majors. From what I've gathered they are pretty open to you making your own path within the program.
Yess I applied more than a month back. It still says that we're reviewing your details
Ah, makes sense. I applied super early.. I was too anxious and didn't want to play the waiting game. Good luck!
In at Bartlett!
I am currently in the process of applying for a Master of Architecture program and am wondering if anyone has information regarding universities that are still accepting MArch applications for Fall 2023. As the application deadline for many universities has already passed, I am hoping to explore additional options that may still be available. (United States)
If anyone has any insights or suggestions, I would be grateful for any assistance you can provide.
USC has rolling admissions till July 1. Pratt as well, says they are rolling on their website, but not sure of the exact date.
Parsons also has rolling admissions. Reach out the Masters of Architecture department.
I just got an email from Sci-Arc saying their deadline is tomorrow
u of Oregon still accepting too
Has anyone else still not heard back from GSAPP? My application status is still on submitted..
We're in the same boat. I applied to the MSAAD program, but I haven't received any response to my inquiry about the result yet. I'm guessing they may be on spring break.
I got rejected today
I ended up getting rejected today
Got into MS.AUD on 10th March. A friend got accepted to MS.AAD on the same day.
has anyone heard from MIT? I heard people got into mit today.
MIT Undergraduate released last night "Pi Day" at 2xPi (6:28pm). If I remember correctly I think MIT came out a day or 2 after Pi day last year.
any reply from Mcgill, Carleton and waterloo ?
Have heard back from McGill, accepted.
Is anyone applying in Germany? Particularly TU Berlin?
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
BArch / International / 2019
GPA - GRE - IELTS
3.46 - not taking - 8.0
Letter of recommendations
Three letters. One from my supervisor at work, one from undergrad thesis advisor, one from a professor whose class I enjoyed the most. All of them know me personally, so I think the letters would not be too generic.
Personal Essay/Statement
Talked about how my backgrounds and experiences culminates in misbelief in the usual heroic narrative of architect(ure), and how I want to challenge my own understanding of spatial practices in relations to the urban development and ecological processes. Hence, I applied to mostly urbanism and/or landscape programs. I put effort to weave my statement and portfolio (+cv) as reciprocal components in telling who am I as a person and my interests.
Portfolio
30 pages A4. For most schools I included 8 projects (3 school projects, 3 competition projects, 1 professional project and 1 personal essay) - except for Delft and ETH. Categorized the projects into several themes.
Schools
ETH Zurich (MSc Landscape Architecture)
RCA (MA Environmental Architecture)
MIT (SMArchS Architecture + Urbanism)
TU Delft (MSc Urbanism)
Goldsmiths (MA Research Architecture)
Parsons (MS Design and Urban Ecologies)
Royal Danish Academy (MA Political Architecture: Critical Sustainability)
Open house impressions
Attended/watched the zoom sessions of ETH and RCA.
ETH was candid and informal but immensely stimulating to the point that I spent the rest of the night finishing my motivation letter that day. Tbh, I didn’t even think of applying to the program before the zoom session. Being a new program, I appreciate the balance between the openness towards interdisciplinary approaches and the technical rigor. I think Teresa Gali-Izard is an excellent educator.
I only watched the recording of the RCA open day, but I think the perspective of the program very much aligns with my interests. Seems very radical and transdisciplinary. The ongoing studios have interesting research themes as well.
Results
Goldsmiths - In 19/01 (only a week after application submission! Props to them. Also, Forensic Architecture!!!)
RCA - In 15/02 with a negligible amount of gift card awards for printing and supplies.
MIT - Interviewed (short call 14/02)
Parsons - In 15/03 with 35% scholarship.
Tips
Make sure to apply for programs that align with your interests and where you can imagine yourself spending your life for 1, 2, or 3 years.
P.s. MIT, ETH, and TUD are playing mind games. I hope I will hear from them this week. MIT is my top choice.
In at ETH (20/03), also in at MIT with 75% fellowship! (21/03)
Congratulations!
When did you hear back from MIT?
I got an email on Mar 21, around 11am ET.
In at Delft (27/03)!
That concludes my grad school application for this year. I really appreciate the support (and a rather unhealthy amount of constant anxiety, lol) this forum gave me. Wish you all success pursuing whatever path you’re on!
Is anyone waiting for MIT MArch? Any news?
nothing so far on my end...
nope, nothing.
Hello everyone and congratulations to all who got accepted to one of their choices. Now that we all have some options, I wonder if anyone tried negotiating scholarships? If yes, do you have any advice to share? How did you negotiate? What approaches did you take? It is one thing to get accepted, it is another thing to afford these very expensive schools and I personally can not without decent scholarship if not full plus stipend. If you know some other external scholarships that I can apply please share. Any idea and resources are welcomed. One issue - I already have tons of loans from my previous degree, so not an option to take a loan.
I would also like to know the best way to frame the negotiating scholarship process between schools, how to pose the question as a necessity but not necessarily sounding pushy about it
Has anyone heard about funding from UCLA or UW?
I haven't even gotten a decision from UCLA, let alone funding info
I haven't gotten funding info from UW yet either
For UW I was told they’ve already released all their scholarships to those chosen, but will re-release to others if people start rejecting their offers. So I’m assuming we may hear again sometime near beginning of April
Thanks for the info!
Did anyone reach MIT admission regarding the results and heard back anything?
No, I've heard from every other school. Just not MIT :(
nope
For people who have heard back from pratt M. Arch, have they announced the date of when the open house is? I still have not heard about my admission and if admitted, I would like enough time to schedule work around the open house
There's an admitted students day on 31 March. Unclear if this is in-person or virtual though
Got into Upenn (3 years no$) and Rice (3.5 years with half tuition covered). Any thoughts on both schools if money is not an issue?
Judging by the students and grads we have employed, Rice appears to be a very good quality school. I don't know any Penn M Arch grads, so I can't offer a direct comparison in that regard.
I vote Rice
I'm from Houston and I know some folks at Rice. Seems to be a good environment and they're building new facilities; should be an exciting time to be there! Only reason I didn't apply is that I wanted to try a new place.
Anyone have thoughts on USC vs. UVA? With scholarships, the schools come out around the same price.
Hi all, here's my info:
B.Eng Architectural Design, Stanford University, 2023
4.05, N/A, N/A
3, all from Arch dept.
I am interested in a really niche sort of architecture that matches my background. I wrote a lot about it and how it can advance the field.
Several group project, solo art, wood and metalwork, and the racecar I helped work on.
Results (all M.arch I)
University of Texas at Austin, Accepted, $$
University of Pennsylvania, Accepted, $$$
McGill, Accepted, Awaiting Funding
Columbia GSAPP, Accepted, $
Yale SoA, Rejected
MIT, Awaiting Result
hi did columbia mention your $ in your award letter, or did you receive us information through your portal?
The aid I got was in my acceptance letter, yeah! I haven't seen a "financial aid doc" incl. loans yet.
Edit: McGill gave $$
Congrats on the acceptances, will you be attending Penn?
@zahahadont I will be going on tours first to make sure I have a good feel of each department! But very strong lean towards Penn right now, for sure! Thanks :D
Good chance I’ll see you in class this Fall. We should connect, if you’d like.
Yes, let’s! I will be at UPenn’s open house.
Send me a DM. I’ll message you my socials.
any thoughts on UCLA vs Penn vs UC Berkeley?
UIUC is taking so much time!!
They are out; I just received their email.
Has anyone heard back from MIT regarding M.ARCH or SMARCH?
MIT has begun sending out decisions 5 days ago. Should expect to receive a decision by the end of the month at the latest.
Like admissions? If they are like Penn and send out admissions first, should we just assume if you haven't received anything that, you are rejected? Asking for a friend :)
@ZahaHadont, have you heard someone being accepted? I have not seen anyone being accepted, that is why asking.
@ZahaHadont, For M.Arch 1 as well? Sent this outside of the thread by accident
MIT has said on their website that they will
begin releasing decisions on March 15th.
Nothing on GradCafe from MIT Architecture since the 15th. Hmm.
Guys, that exact text were on their website last year too but they sent acceptances much earlier in February end.
Ok, I am sorry for being negative. I hope this year is going to be different. So far, I have not seen any single acceptance either, may be this year they decided to stick to the timeline that they shared in their website.
A part of me have considered myself rejected at this point, yet on the other hand I still want to believe they hasn’t released all the decisions yet because we have seen zero, null, nada from the entire department. Even a school as small as Princeton has at least one acceptance.
It's so disheartening to keep waiting though because you have no clue if it'll be an acceptance or a rejection either way and knowing how minuscule the batch intake is doesn't help
Waitlist appeared from MIT M.Arch 1 just now
You got waitlisted? Did you check portal?
I also just saw that. From MIT’s previous years, they release admissions, waitlists, and then rejections. I will save myself and feel at peace to just consider myself as out!
Im just curious there is only waitlist appeared on the portal, no single acceptance? That is so strange
That is the pattern, unfortunately. Last year there was only one acceptance in the grad cafe.
I’m not sure where @boy racer saw the waitlist (whether their portal or they
meant grad cafe) but I saw one on grad cafe at around 4pm today. Right now there is no update on my portal.
I saw someone getting their admission letter on another forum. I haven't received anything yet so I can proudly say that I am a MIT reject!
Whatabout SMarchS
@Miss.Dani could you link it?
Got an email earlier today about SMArchS Urbanism decision!
I applied HTC the anticipation is killing me
its in Chinese. but that poster posted around central time soo. just March1
Someone on GradCafe got accepted to Smarchs Urbanism today and @b
oyracer got waitlisted. So they're not following the previous pattern of acceptances then waitlist
Seems like it might be just international students receiving results as of now?
Sorry, I meant to say that I saw the waitlist appear on Gradcafe, not on my end
It is absurdly late for even rejection letters and they are not responsive to my emails either.
Yup, it's annoying at this point lol. But no way this isn't the last week... Next week they have spring break
And according to their website their accepted student event is on April 4th
I got wait listed letter
Anyone has news from the SMarchS HTC program? No portal updates/emails on my side so far
Still waiting for the same thing …
I have received an update from MIT. I have not checked it yet though. I forgot my password hahaha
Finally received my rejection!!
cheers to that!!!
Cheers to the Rejectssss!!!!!
@Miss.Dani I’m actually intrigued, how many schools have you applied too?
12 in total, got into 5. 2 safety 3 targets and the rest were ivy and mit. Got into a surprisingly good reach school w $$ by the end of the day and I am happy. Might do a conclusion at the end of the day
@Miss.Dani
must have spent like a grand on applications. You are the backbone of this community
i was scared that i wasn't going to get into any. but now im like 'hell yeah i was right' will write a detailed process essay
For M.Arch 1 as well?
Does anyone have updates on when UCLA will release admission results? I've only seen a few acceptances on here and gradcafe.
I can't believe we're still waiting
Has anyone heard back from University of British Columbia or University of Toronto for M.Arch I?
Gradcafe has had some acceptances from UBC: https://www.thegradcafe.com/survey/?per_page=20&q=&institution=&program=Architecture°ree=Masters
Someone on gradcafe received ut, you heard anything back?
UofT's decisions were out, at least on my end!
Finally heard back from pratt, luckily was accepted
Congrats!!! What time did you hear from them?
Thanks! 4:15 EST. Unfortunately I heard back so late tho that I had already made a decision for next year, they really shouldn’t send acceptances out this late
Yes!!! me too!!! I thought I didn't have a chance since many ppl received acceptance so early on.. anyways, congrats to u and me!! (just saw that ur not going, congratz anyway! may i ask where ur going?)
Congrats to you as well! I have not put down a deposit yet but I plan to attend UVA
Hi! Still anxiously waiting on my end. Did either of you apply for scholarship, specifically the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Fellowship?
Question:
Penn vs Pratt?
Ive heard from my friends that Penn's studio is very intense and the critique culture/some of the profs are quite toxic, but I don't really know about Pratt... suggestions?
also, which school in terms of employment? i know penn is ivy but pratt is in NYC ? would location matter?
I would think in terms of location they wouldn't be that different since Philly is a big city with plenty of job opportunities. Also I think the reputation of an ivy like penn carries more weight than pratt
Not only that, Philadelphia is like an hour away from NY.
@wawalala if the cost works out to be the same, it makes more sense to go to Penn. As aspiringarchitect pointed out, the name holds considerably more weight and could open up the doors to more opportunities. Still love Pratt though.
Any input on Cornell vs. UCLA?
Also does UCLA grant merit scholarships? I didn’t see any mention of it in my acceptance letter.
I’m having a hard time choosing between more prestigious (but very expensive) universities like cornell and columbia, or choosing a more affordable one like UIUC or UMich.
I barely received any $ from Cornell and Columbia, if anyone’s decided to go there how do you plan on funding the next 3 years? I am eligible for the fafsa but they haven’t received that information yet. (I also tried emailing Columbia about giving me $ but it was pointless)
If I may ask, how much did you receive? I plan on using the scholarship and (hopefully) the assistantship options to fund a big portion. I think I calculated it to be $76k that I would have to pay in total through other means. Sucks that GSAPP assistantships don’t carry a tuition waiver or liveable stipend. Think I can pay that $76k through FAFSA low interest loans.
I got 15k for Cornell and none for Columbia. I’m also hoping that the FAFSA will come through but they haven’t sent us any information regarding federal aid yet, which is why im hesitant to make a commitment.
15k is alright. Btw, FAFSA does not give pell-grants to graduate students, only undergrads. It might be different if you're international, but yea, it will just be more loans lol. I think the most loans they will give out are 23k/semester, but at least they are low-interest because they come from the government.
@boy racer have you reached out to Columbia for additional aid? I have received about 30k from the school and am wondering if that’s the max?
Yes, but it is pointless, they will just redirect you to some basic info.
@boy racer have you received the fafsa information from any unis yet tho? UMich is the only one for me to have released official financial aid packages yet.
Not yet, Columbia stated they would get it ready a bit after you confirm your decision, if I rmemeher correctly. SCI-Arc gave me it really fast lol
I received 45$ deans scholarship from Columbia, and an email saying that financial aid award packages will be decided next month (?)
I got my financial-aid package just now. As expected, it's just the scholarship listed on your admissions letter and a loan.
**taps microphone for MIT**
Is this thing on?
Just got rejected! They emailed me a link to the portal and that’s where i got the decision lol. (completely fine w being rejected lol since i got into every other school i applied to)
got an email just now
Just got rejected from SMarchS HTC
Good luck to everyone in making the right decision! It was fun hanging out and being part of this clearly very talented, smart, and genuine community! It felt good to wait anxiously together! I will see some of you at Yale probably!
Cheers to us!
do u have any tips for negotiating scholarships
Unfortunately I do not have. I asked the same question but no one shared anything.
Dang I hope someone did.
Top 50 Midwest big engineering school. Graduated Spring 2020. Majored Computer graphics, graduated with Dual Major in BIM and DV, Minored in CMT and OG Leadership. 3 internships during undergrad (print making, 2 big GC VDC positions) working in a small firm on BIM and tech stuff now. Did all kinds of activities in undergrad, research and published in house with DOI. Won research presentations and all that stuff. A transfer so looking at MArch 1 - 3 year programs.
3.68/4.0 - Not taking that crap - been in the states since middle school am not going to take it. MIT was not the exception
4 letters of recommendations:
My essay was mainly about me rediscovery of my passion in design and the arts. Since I was a art student in high school, I was able to regain a lot of those creative kills after working in an Arch firm for 2 years. Also mentioned my tech background at work and how I bring a unique perspective to the table. Also mentioned a shit load of humanistic design approaches, sustainability and community building work to balance off my more technical portfolio.
5 main projects, a tone of undergraduate modeling work, (revit only) research posters and art work at the end. All self directed project with a lot of colors. You can definitely tell that this was super personal (maybe a little too much chaos?) and not the old school black and white with a splash of color portfolio.
Do as I say not as I do. I was panicky and applied to 12 schools :):
Safety: UIUC, Syracuse
Targets: WashU (main target), Rice, U Mich
Reach’s but hopeful: Penn, Columbia
Lottery: Harvard GSD, Princeton, Yale, MIT, Cornell
I didn’t do open house and I am in the Midwest so I’m not going anywhere. But I was able to schedule a 1 on 1 with Wash U. DO IT IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE. The director came out and basically crit my portfolio at the time and it was super helpful to get their perspective as well.
Accepted into: UIUC, Syracuse w $$, Wash U, U Mich w $ and Cornell w $. (someone needs to explain what $,$$,and $$$ means because its all $$$ in my eyes)
Rejected from everywhere else, no WL. Proud IVY League Reject (Cornell I love you)
BTW, Penn did early admissions, from my observation on various sites, if you didn’t get that email before the 7th you are out. If you wanna reject me just flat out reject me. I know its exciting to get in and get that email but for the ones that didn’t get it. It freaking sucked hard.
I gained a lot of insight from this form and I could not thank the community more. I think getting into good schools definitely deserves a round of applause, but getting into regular schools also deserves to be taken seriously. After all only 0.12% of the US holds a degree from the Ivys. My application said a lot about me, who I am and how I approach things and I guess that somehow, connected with the people at Cornell and I hope what I did can inspire the community as well. Keep on fighting and learning architects! We are not alone :)
Also if you are going to Cornell pleas DM/PM me i need friends to survive the winter in up state NY.
Loved reading this, and happy that you got into an Ivy in the end! Maybe we can connect on social media. Would like to stay in contact.
Anyone else still waiting on UCLA? No response to inquiry email as well.
Still waiting. I'm just assuming it's a rejection for me at this point.
Do they send rejections last? UCLA is my top choice so I hope not lol
Any luck?
Nope, no updates yet.
I’m still waiting over here. How how you?
Still waiting as well.
Just got my rejection this morn. It’s been so long and I’ve gotten so far in the process with another school that I barely even care anymore LOL. But it is still a bummer.
Just got my rejection too lol, really bummed out since it was my first choice. Regardless, good luck at whatever school you decide to attend!
Where do you think you’ll end up?
Hello everyone,
It's been amazing to be a part of this forum. Amidst all the anxiety and restlessness that comes with the application process, it felt nice to know that I'm not alone. Congratulations to everyone on their admits.
I'm writing this message as a humble request to you all. Taubman College (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor) is my top choice where I am currently placed on the waitlist.
I know I have absolutely no right to ask any of you guys for this but I wouldn't feel like I gave it my 100% if I don't bring it up. If anyone of you with an admit at Taubman have received better offers which you have decided you're going to take (I don't intend to force anyone, only if you have already made a decision of going elsewhere), if you could be so kind to decline your offers at Taubman.
I spoke to the admissions counselor and they told me they didn't accept anyone off the waitlist last year so I know my chances are next to zero, but it's just hard to give up knowing I'm close.
I hope I don't come across as rude or anything via this post as that is not my intention and I hope you understand.
P.S. I'm from India and I completed my B.Arch in 2022. I applied for the M.Arch program at Taubman College (2 year - advanced standing).
bro i got you, will be declining this up coming week. hopefully that gives you a bit more chance here
Thanks @Miss.Dani
Hey Guys,
Very late to this thread but I'm here now.
I've been accepted to the M.arch 2 program (without Aid) at Taubman, Sci-Arc, Uni of Washington, UIUC and Georgia Tech. I am from India and although I've done my research on each of these schools, as an international student I would love to hear anybody's and everybody's insight on the pro's and con's of each college. (Literally anything would be helpful!)
At the moment, I am leaning towards Georgia Tech/ Umich Taubman, but Taubman is significantly more $$$, and so I am very torn.
I would love to hear what you as an individual would do in my place.
Thanks in advance :)
All of those, except for Taubman, are of pretty much equal prestige/reputation, so it would mainly be a question of who gave you the most money. Then, it would be preference, which you could do your own research in and so on; SCI-Arc is the really experimental/visual one of the bunch. Sucks that Taubman didn't gi ve you money, it would be an easy choice then.
Congratulations to everyone! Does anyone plan to not accept an offer from GSAAP M.Arch? Was waitlisted and I'm unsure about my chances :/
Waitlisted as well here :(
I am going to reject my M.Arch I offer from GSAPP so hopefully it increases your chance of being taken off the wait list!
Thank you, mrcutout! Good luck on your M.Arch pursuit as well!
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