as long as you have a lot of sketches and working process in your portfolio..then you will be fine

The reason they ask to see the "full extent of your design capabilities" is because they have two different tracks for transfer students. The vast majority of transfers go into the first year design studio, and have to complete the full five years of the B.Arch program. But there are a few who come in with enough architecture background that they are allowed to take a short summer studio and proceed to second year. I'd say that 80-90% of transfer students transfer into first year, not second, so if you don't have high quality architecture work, then don't sweat it because first year is where you belong anyways.

*to clarify: I am an SC alum, but wasn't a transfer myself

Rationalist

I have photos from Jerah/Petra (From the country of Jordan), and Photos of the interior of France's Airport (charles de Gaulle), would it be a good idea to insert those photos into my portfolio? Secondly, I will be taking architecture studio courses in my second year in my CC, should I concentrate those works into my portfolio.

Since your an SC Alum, what do you think will be more appealing to them, i.e. - are they more fond of photographs than sketches?

They're fond of telling people to use their absolute best work, no matter what the medium. I know people who submitted, painting, ceramics (well, photos of their ceremics), woodworking, sketches, just photos.... and they all got in based on the fact that whatever it was they submitted showed talent. Of course many other people submitted the same *types* of work of lesser quality and got rejected. So if the photos are outstanding and the studio work is so-so, focus on the photos. I would use both probably to show your range, and just use more of whichever ones look better.

the key for transfer students to get into the VT with a slightly lower GPA (when I mean slightly....your 3.8 should be the min.) Is a few recommendation letters from alumini. :) If you live in the NOVA area the VT grads swarm that place. I suggest you you turn in your photopgraphs because it is a way of looking at architecture in a different medium.

good luck

Rationalist

I have photos from Jerah/Petra (From the country of Jordan), and Photos of the interior of France's Airport (charles de Gaulle), would it be a good idea to insert those photos into my portfolio? Secondly, I will be taking architecture studio courses in my second year in my CC, should I concentrate those works into my portfolio.

Since your an SC Alum, what do you think will be more appealing to them, i.e. - are they more fond of photographs than sketches?

Mark_M, for VT,

they don't ask for Letter of Recommendation. Thats UVA, and my hopes of VT's arch program are slim - to the extent that I am not interested in that school (I am still going to re-apply of course)

Thanks Rationalist

Thanks guys. Ill try my best.

p.s. sorry for the double post, I am on a horrible connection (I am over seas right now, so if I double post again, its not intentional)

Thats what the :) face was for. Put the two together

Another thought came into my mind, when I put photos into my architecture portfolio, they should be photos that convey my perspective of design - correct? Meaning, I SHOULD NOT just plant a photo of a historical structure, unless I shot the photo in a unique manner.

sunsetsam-
I would save your application fee for VT and UVA and go West. I received my undergrad from JMU and my masters from sci_arc. I was particularly uninterested in both Tech and UVA's programs and think one of the major issues with both is their locations. Feel free to disagree, but the City that houses the institute you want to study in plays a major factor in how, what, and who you learn.

Just think of the portfolio as a "whole". The components that you put in should not necessarily stand alone. I have seen many portfolios that do not do a good job of being a cohesive comment on the individuals design philosophy/ability. A designer can take the most mundane idiosyncrasies and use them as an expression of their design approach. I would not limit yourself to just architecture.

Good luck

brickmaster -

Well, I really want to live in California (specifically Southern California), Cal Poly SLO (I got into Cal Poly Pomona's Civil Eng. Program from HS but decided to stay for VT and UVA) - but for SLO, I dont have the requirements to transfer into their arch dept., so USC is my only "cali" option.

I have another question, I really like to comment on my work, do you believe that 5 sentences, would be a long description of my portfolio pieces.

Why not sciarc or UCLA? I don't really know the requirements, but they seem like legit options for SoCal. I would be more inclined to go to a better program that doesn't transfer all my credits then to some place that just works with what I have.

SLO is a much different beast then Los Angeles. Perhaps being somewhat removed and being able to visit is what works for you.

Comment, just make sure it is worth it. 5 sentences could be too much, too little, or just right. It depends upon the content. Know that if it doesn't catch them in the first sentence or two they won't read the rest. It can be hard to get people to listen to you when you are verbally speaking directly to them.

sorry to revive this thread, but I did not feel like making a new one. Anyhow, I've heard many people say, its quite risky to add photos in your portfolio. Why is it risky? because the photos may be too mundane and not express and design perspective? I do photography for a hobby, and adding some of my photos was going to be my strong suit within the portfolio, but now I am hesitant. I will post the photos on archinect, the ones I will put in my portfolio, then you guys can judge them- BUT THIS WILL BE AFTER A MONTH, I am still overseas.

The AIA is proud to help standardize American Architectural Education, as follows Standard 202.1B:
Starting in the Fall of 2025, architecture schools will only accept registered architects.

love the sarcasm

most schools won't take cc transfers without getting your aa, or at least that's what i went to when i transferred in va tech's program.

i transferred in w/ a 3.65, most of the people that transferred in with me were in the 3.0-3.8 range.
email me for more info.

holz.box - what year was this? Because VT had on spot admissions at my CC last sem. and a girl did not get in with a 3.5 and she had an A.A. I asked the admissions officer who came to the CC and he said that they only take 5 transfer students each fall sem. for architecture. And when I say 5 transfer students, I mean as a whole - (internal or external transfers). And the A.A. curriculum at my CC absolutely does not follow their transfer guide for architecture. On top of that, I've been told by other admin. officers that they will only accept 4.0's and may be lenient on people who have 3.9's.

And most A.A. programs in CC's train you to become a drafter. I got into 2 Arch programs after my first year of CC, and I did not follow any A.A. curriculum at all.

wow, that's changed. my class had like 12 transfers.
was back in 99

all the programs i got into req'd gen ed AA to transfer.

I wish it was still the same. I've noticed, each year, admissions become more challenging.

Thanks to football! VT would be nothing without the Mr Vick.

I actually transferred from a cc into USC second year. others who transferred with me had multidisciplinary pieces to show other than architectural images...some had wood carving, paintings, photography, etc...all unrelated to architecture.

summer transffer studio doesn't guaranty access into second year tho. they will evaluate your performance after the session.

Well tumbleweed, I also want to minor in civil engineering, thats why I am concentrated on USC.

And ekims, I am very hesitant to add my landscape photography, because to me, I don't think they will notice my design aspects?

UCLA's new undergrad program is a 4-yr nonprofessional B.A. in architectural stuides. it mostly deals with arch as a social and cultural influence in society, rather than the design and technical aspects of arch.

Good luck trying to major in arch AND cv. Theyre both really intricate subjects. Arch alone is already enough of a consumption of your time and life.