thx for any comment :)

@Iris,

Hey I believe that most graduate schools offer professional degrees to students who do not have an architectural background.   Therefore, in my mind, it does not make sense to try prove to them that you have any knowledge on the field, because they know you don't.

I think, when they look at applications they are looking for candidates that they believe have potential in the future in their own unique way.   The portfolio for candidates does not have to include sketchup models (which I personally think are looked down upon; they are one-liners) especially if they aren't good models.  To me, the portfolio is more like a personal statement in the cases of undergrads without architecture backgrounds.  It is a tool with which you have been given the opportunity to demonstrate your potential, uniqueness.  What makes you stand out from the other applicants?  If you did math for undergrad, show them a proof...IDK...

Use the portfolio to your benefit, show them what makes you unique, what your good at, what you're interested in....

don't know if this helps...  

@FederallyFunded

Thx so much!! that just helps me a lot... it's my first time to actually make an art portfolio... i tried to be different and make connections between my work. i hope that it works :)

My English teacher mentioned the same thing as u which is the word "potential".. i hope that AO would see my potential and desire from my portfolio :)

At least i put effort into it. whether the result is good or not, i should pat me on my shoulder anyways.. haha 

Thx so much!!

from my limited experience selecting potential students (for an arch discovery-type program, not arch school), i'd say limit the amount of art-class-assigned still life and technique-type work and focus on work in which you determined the composition, the content, and brought some intention to the work

...and then describe that.

the portfolio should illustrate as much what kind of thinking you bring to your work as it does your technical ability. 

@Steven Ward

Thx for ur comment. Actually i did not put ANY art-class-assigned still life work in my portfolio.. coz I found that many students would actually use this kind of work... I tried to be creative but am not sure if I am creative enough...

agree with ur opinions! maybe I should ask this question here a little bit earlier. :) 

Thx so much! 

Hey irisyujinwen,

You don't need to have any actual architecture work in your portfolio if you have never done any.  Just include your best work.  Don't include something just because you think that admissions might want to see it and don't include everything that you have ever done.  Having a poorly done 3d model of something is going to be worse than not having one at all.  It doesn't all have to be art/design work either.  I've heard of people using creative writing samples, engineering projects, and even organic chemistry research.  Keep in mind that admissions have hundreds of portfolios to review and can't spend too much time on one portfolio, so keep things easily digestible and uncluttered.

I didn't have a background in architecture, and my portfolio had 5 sculpture pieces, 1 engineering project, and 1 architecture project from a summer program.  I've heard admissions like to see hand drawings, but I didn't include any because I didn't think mine were up to the standard set by the sculpture work.

One side note: I've actually heard from admissions reviewers that the most common mistake when applying is submitting a poorly written personal statement.  Write a few drafts and get them peer reviewed.

@Building

Thx so much for ur comment! I read through it word by word. Thx so much!

I put some of my drawings into my portfolio. SCI-Arc actually requires applicants to provide 5 works in total. My portfolio is about five topics. I just found my portfolio work is kinda childish coz  there's even nothing could be considered to be design.. ;( 

ur portfolio actually show ur strong ability coz it includes ur different kinds of work. :)

btw, my ps is reviewed by my English instructor. He suggests me to write something "real" instead of just describing my feelings of architectural studies. I chose to write about my internship experience of working an architectural institute. Actually I did not do much work really related to architecture. But I understand this career after that two months..

I hope that will work. SCI-Arc is always my dream school.. really hope i can make it!

Thx so much!

@Building

btw did u use the sculpture work for the application of b.arch?

@irisyujinwen

are you applying for the M.Arch 1 ? I also am coming from a non-architectural background and am thinking of applying for next year.

I studied history, and I know there is a pretty easy correlation there with architecture to be made, but I'm still trying to figure out how I want to do that.

for my portfolio I was thinking of including some technique stuff from a couple art courses I've taken, but mostly sketches that I've done on my own time. as well as an architecture project I did one summer and some of my photography (mostly architecturally inspired.)

Do you have your portfolio online ? 

GL !

@kenji.hf

actually I am applying to the b.arch. r u also interested in SCI-Arc? it's such an amazing school!

i dont have my portfolio online yet. don't have time these days. maybe i will try to post them later.

i think u got great ideas. it's good to include some projects. there's no limit for the portfolio for architecture actually. i think u can cover anything u would like to in ur portfolio.

thx for ur comment!

@irisyujinwen hey are you applying as a transfer ??

I was accepted at Sci-Arc last year with a non-archi portfolio. I had graphic design works mostly + one exhibition I curated and an urban research I took part in as a graphic designer. 

@megamanmilk

emm no! i'm applying from high school!

are u applying as a transfer??

good luck!

@lhc830green

awwww thx so much for ur comment! are u studying the b.arch of SCI-Arc now? how is ur life there?

really hope that u can tell me some details.. :P

I would say no problemo....long as you use Chuck Norris as a Reference.

@snook_dude

aww.....

aww... shmufa.....iris....does the trick

@snook_dude

hahahaha... 

hey guys! no sure if u can see this comment.. just got an email from SCI-Arc said that I am accepted! XD

@irisyujinwen i got accepted too!!!!! Im going!!

@megamanmilk really?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!wow!!!!!!!!!!cong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!where r u from????

Thank you! Congrats to you too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Iam from los angeles, california. Are you going to sciarc? Where are you from?

im from Nanjing, China... pretty sure i am going coz it's my dream school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) 

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very happy!!!!!!! My dream school too! You are my first friend from sciarc!!!!!!!!!

u r also my first friend there!!!!!! my email address: iris.yujinwen@gmail.com

u can email me if u want!! anything!!! :)

Yes!!!!!!! Thank you!!!! My email is ahmedsmalik2991@gmail.com i will email you!!!!

hey, i got accepted for the BArch program in feb and my portfolio didn't include archi works too. i had works that were somewhat related but i guess it was a mixture of my interests and experimental stuff. :)

@ryoisa are you gonna attend sci arc or are u not sure yet?

Wait, why were u accepted in feb?

Did apply as a transfer?

I applied for Barch 12 but I havent heard anything from them :( did you guys got the notification from email? or letter?

@rhapswt email then letter. Maybe you were placed on the waiting list?

@megaman i've confirmed in them. no i didn't apply as a transfer, i was one of those from the batch who got accepted earlier. 

@rhap got it by email, then a letter. if you email them to tell them you're international (are you?) they will definitely notify you by email first. 

Idk how do you found out if you are on the waiting list? and im not an international student I am afraid i didnt get accepted :(

what was ur gpa? and maybe because i have bad portfolios haha

my guess is that they notify students by batches? on the site it says that students are generally given notification from march til april/june if i'm not mistaken. so i'm sure it's a matter of days. what about emailing them?

i took the IB, so my school doesn't grade us with the gpa system. :)

Oh is it possible to show me one of your portfolios coz im scared my portfolio is really bad :(

@rhapswt

i can show u my portfolio.. it's not good actually :)

any website that i can upload my work to it??

@ congrats! see u there!

where are u from? :)

@iris: you can probably try issuu or one of those book sites. :) are you a female and looking for housing close to sci-arc too? haha.

@ryoisa: haha i am a female! emm.. sorry i have a roomie now..sorry! ;(

maybe we could choose two apartments which are close.. i really want to live w/ my friends!!!!!!!

btw, where r u from? :D 

@ryoisa

oh i mean live closer to my friends... :)

@iris: i'm from malaysia. i see, are you in the LA area already? :)

@Iris: are you applying for first year as well?

@ryoisa, we are looking forward to meeting you this fall :)