I didn't receive anything today from UBC so I assume that if I don't get anything by tomorrow morning, it's a no for me. :(

How many seats are those 900 applicants competing for at Berkeley?

anyone going to try again next year if they don't get their top choice? i want to go to berkeley way more than anywhere else so i may attempt a deferral at another school and try again next year

also, since i live abroad i couldn't do a summer program and would really l like to do one for the training and to add more diversity to my portfolio--which is mostly drawings, paintings and some web design

look forward to having this forum as a resource if/when i start working on next year!

Received some uplifting news today.

Was notified by Columbia that I am on the waitlist for urban planning. I was planning on doing a double MArch/MA in Urban Planning, so this is promising news! It gives me a year to be at Columbia while I repolish my portfolio for the arch. component for next year's admission.

Gosh, while this may just be a waitlist, it nonetheless does a TON to restore hope!

cew: I don't know. I'm a first professional candidate and I assume they take 30 or so of us. Effing CA man, doomsday is around the corner and everyone STILL wants to live here. It is a very nice place to live, and the school is great = a shit load of applicants.

Hey All...I am one of those who is waiting to hear back from almost every school I've applied to (except the flat-out rejection from Columbia). This silence is scaring me!

I've been hesitant to post my portfolio after seeing everyone else's. But I want to share now in the case that it doesn't work out this year and I have to re-work it for next year.

Would you mind taking a look and sharing some feedback? I'd really appreciate it!

http://issuu.com/tzara/docs/m.arch_2010_application_portfoliio

Best of Luck to everyone and Congrats on those who've heard!

I was under the impression that black backgrounds we kind of a no, no, but it appears as if I was misinformed?

tzara

beautiful work, and great sense of content presentation. I have some minor suggestions, but you shouldn't listen to my opinions. Really.

I would have liked to see more content, if you have it (projects or process) - the book is really (excessively?) concise.
Also, I'm not sure how I feel about the trapezoid color-blocking as a theme. It's dynamic and original, but perhaps distracting (probably looks better in print).
I would have also preferred to see the text occupying smaller areas on the page, it seems to be floating and even overpowering the content, which could then be enlarged and/or repositioned.

These are minor, overall I loved it.

Hey, i am going to give you guys a link to my portfolio. i have no architectural background, except the gsapp ny/paris program, which im still involved with in paris.

ive applied to several schools this year, didnt work long on the portfolio , maybe a full week, right until the deadline (dec. 15)

ive been accepted to gsapp and MIT with half scholarship.

enjoy

please let me know what you guys think!

-o

http://issuu.com/o1nichols/docs/m._arch_porfolio_2010

o1nichols,

inspirational. thank you.

did anyone get offered any money from UT?

Also, if anyone has any advice on my earlier question, i would reaaaaally appreciate it!! ------> "for everyone that was talking about "leveraging", i have a question for you all that maybe you can help me with...

How would one go about "leveraging" for more scholarship/grant money from a school? I was offered a relatively small amount of money from GSAPP but I really need more in order to consider going there...GSAPP is my DREAM school and I wold do anything to go there!
On the other hand, Clemson and UT offered me substantially more money to attend. How would I go about "leveraging" this situation? What would I do and who would I contact? I NEED to go to GSAPP!! :("

mmarch13,

didn't u say u got a fedex from GSD?
then can i ask why GSAPP?

o1nichols_ thanks for posting your portfolio. it's really nice to see that columbia and mit appreciated your excellent drawing skills. i would say you're super talented at that.

i remember an architect i've worked with in the past mentioning how many of the younger architects now can't draw and how she wished that weren't the case. anyway, i think you will have a leg up for sure with being able to draw so well and have a perspective like that in architecture school.

your layout was straight forward enough and well, with breadth of work like yours i think the layout is not as important. yeah, wow! killer drawings. really beautiful. i mean yeah, a bfa in drawing helps for sure. i also liked the study model a lot. at sci-arc, they would say that it's very "extroverted." hah :D anyway, thanks for sharing.

I've always wanted to go to GSAPP. GSD did offer me money...but it just wasn't enough. i'm limited by what i can afford. i've been blessed to get into these wonderful schools...but for some reason, GSD and GSAPP just didn't give me enough to substantially make it feasible for me to attend. it's so depressing...and extremely unfair...and i'm just having a big pity party over here so sorry guys...just consider yourself blessed if you don't have to make graduate school decisions based ONLY on what you can afford, and not where you've always dreamed of going.

oh well.

but i honestly am curious about who, if anyone, got offered money from UT? you don't have to say how much if you don't want to, i'm just curious...

mmarch13- don't give up on GSD and GSAPP just yet if this is your dream- depending on what state you live in there are grants available that can help. If you are a New York resident, and barely have any assets, you can apply for a state grant that will add up to $5,000. There may be some states that are willing to give you something for an out-of state education. If one of your parents is in a union or social club of some sort (like, possibly the Masons, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Pythias, etc.) there may be scholarships available through them as well - Make sure you investigate everything before telling them no - It would be a terrible chance to waste!

Just a quick question for me as I bite my nails over here: Has everyone that received an acceptance from Pratt also received money? Just wondering if they have only notified those they are giving money to.

mmarch13, GSD puts you in a good position to "bargain." You should focus on why GSAPP needs you as much as how badly you want to go there. I would suggest scheduling a meeting with the people at GSAPP and telling them you're all set to go to GSD [omitting, of course, the part where they did not offer you awesome aid] but you'd really rather go to Columbia. Lack of financial aid is the only barrier. Is there anything at all they can do?

On a side note, you should definitely visit both schools. You may realize you want to go to the GSD!

On yet another note: POISON



Americans, this could happen to you! Support President Obama's Healthcare Reform! :)

waqas,

I think I love you.

you would too pult

sweetpotatoes, what is that 5K grant called? I'm a NY resident and haven't heard of it.

@rest, sorry guys I have to intercept this ongoing discussion about $$$ from the schools. That's probably the next big thing that's gonna keep you guys awake (now and many years to come), after the initial exuberance of being accepted into an ivy. anyhow, congratulations. I am feeling the joy, albeit vicariously.

@ Joscelin - yes, I am likely to apply next year if I dont get into a school of MY choice this year. And, how do you intend to go about improving your portfolio? I can honestly tell you, if you dont go to a summer workshop, there's very little chance (if not, zilch) of you realising your dreams to go to grad school, not even to what are considered as "safeties". I am being honest with you because I think it's better to face the truth now and feel the pain than to work for nothing and have your hopes shattered once again come 2011. Getting into grad school is no more than a beauty pageant of portfolios. Looks come first, all else is secondary. Much as the truth is brutal and ugly.

@ PandaEyes - That's a good strategy! I was contemplating applying to grad sch of urban planning (since I like the intellectual, envt, social aspects of this program) and have a good chance of getting in, with my background, experience as a planner. Once I am in one of the ivies, I can then do a summer studio without having to incur the hefty costs of doing so. I am an int'l applicant and going to US for a 6-week summer studio will set me back by $7,000. That's hella of $$$ which I can easily get a 10-20% yield if I were to put it into the stock market now ! So yes, I may be going to arch grad sch when I am really old. But never give up. So what are your plans? Will you go GSAPP if you do get in?

01NICHOLS: Did you apply to Berkeley? I am sure that you would take MIT or Columbia anyways, but just curious. I think that admissions committees would be interested/ impressed with your implementation of PM (Postmodernism outside of architecture, mind you, the Rhizome for one) concepts in your work. looks good!

mmarch13: It looks like you are in a pretty good spot, surely it will all work out for you...

I wouldn't say that you need to go to a summer program to ensure that you get into a school. I never attended one of these programs and have no prior design experience. I got my undergrad in history, just took a drawing course my last year of undergrad. One of those programs would be awesome to attend but I am kind of glad I didn't go to one. My portfolio was really simple and straitforward, no frills. Some charcoals and pastels and a piece of furniture I built. They just want to see that you are creative and have potential. not having a background in design doesn't necessarily set you at a disadvantage because they are not comparing you to the people who have an undergrad in some design discipline. If your portfolio is unique and shows potential I think you have a good shot at the least of getting into a safety school.

Just I thought I would put that out there

AAbelSUN - go to thus website:

http://www.hesc.com/content.nsf/

look for New York TAP.

If you are a NY resident and attend a NY grad School like GSAPP, Parsons, and Pratt, they can most likely add onto your scholarship, or throw you a few thousand if you didn't get one.

Other states have similar programs, if you remain in your state of residence.

guyforget,

i did apply to berkeley, but i may be missing some ingredients in the application. thanks. right now im trying to decide whether to go to gsapp or mit. i really love gsapp and dont know much about mit, but they did offer me a fair amount of money. where did you apply?

jetreit >

(confused) I didn't receive any scholarship/aid from Pratt either...

(with italian accent) I'ma confused-a.

(seriously) What gives?

lewisandclark
So you have head from Pratt? I haven't heard anything yet.
At least not since like two weeks ago when one of the guys there emailed me asking me where my GRE score was (which had been sent to them like two months before). I sent them a hard copy but now I am getting spooked. Maybe I should double double check with that guy again with an email. Ahh, nailbiting. I am checking this thread way too often. Can't be healthy.

hey guys,
long-time stalker, fist time post, but I have been following, and I finally have good news to share!
RISD with a fellowship/ta-ship! woo hoo!

i was beginning to get worried I wasnt going to get in anywhere....I hadn't heard anything before today.

so good luck and congrats to all!

@jetreit - have you posted your portfolio up here ? If not, are you able to share with lesser beings like me? In all sincerity, I would like to see how you did your portfolio w/o attending a summer workshop.

My unique problem is, I didnt even have the chance to attend any structured art/design-related courses back in college. All that I could afford is buy some drawing materials from a local stationery shop and build up my portfolio from scratch. I don't even have access to a proper workshop/photography studio to take those nice images that many guys here have in their portfolios. I have a sob story which I hope to counter with an M.Arch degree. Or I should say, getting accepted into a good design sch with the odds heavily stacked against me.

One day, I hope to be in the (*ivy*) league of archinecters who could post their portfolios up here for all to drool many times over.
lol.

Do they only call you if you get a ta-ship? I flew through several cities trying to get back to school from spring break and had all these non-recoverable voicemails: "Voicemail Server Cannot be Contacted". Damn you Verizon. Do regular acceptances without ta-ships just get letters?

Pythagoras,

Still waiting to make a final decision. UCLA is my first choice, but I haven't heard anything from them yet. Columbia is also really expensive (as everyone else has said). Would need to take a serious look at the finances and (hopefully) aid offer before I can take the jump.

What was your prior planning experience, Pythagoras? Do you mind if I send you an email? I'm trying to get a feel for how the planning side of things work.

Do they only call you if you get a ta-ship? I flew through several cities trying to get back to school from spring break and had all these non-recoverable voicemails: "Voicemail Server Cannot be Contacted". Damn you Verizon. Do regular acceptances without ta-ships just get letters?

Question jenski : Were you assigned as a TA to the architecture dept. , another fine arts department or the art history department? It seemed odd that they asked if you had an interest in art history on the TA-resume part of the app. Mainly curious because I'm an art history major.

RISD is my dream school, and I've been lurking near my building's mailroom to see if I have a letter.

hey guys, like another poster here I received a call from the dean at Rice on Sunday but missed it. She didn't specifically mention an acceptance in the message though - just mentioned "good news" and that she would call again later. Also, I applied under option 1 if anyone is wondering...

I was wondering if someone took the call and talked to her or if she called anyone back who missed it? Is there any chance this might not be an acceptance? I'm starting to second-guess myself...either way, good luck to everyone!

I've been busy working on my submission for the competition, so been away from this thread for few days. And Whoa! the GSD started sending their letters! I haven't received anything yet... Really drive me mad...

Are they sending overseas only by Fedex? not postal service?

Anyone see the two Cal admits on gradcafe? Are the emails going out on the 16th?

Btw, I'm gonna meet and have a dinner with Jesse Reiser and students of Princeton tonight!
They are visiting Japan and they are staying in Kyoto now. So Nanako Umemoto of RUR called me to ask whether I can join their party and my answer is of course YES!
I'm really really excited to see them!!

people are posting on GradCafe that they got into MArch program at Berkeley... hmmmm

o1nichols i love your Highline diagrams exploring sound. i struggled to communicate things graphically and I think you did beautifully.

cl24,

wow at least she called you and mentioned 'good news'
on my e-mail she just said "hearing from us"

the school asked for my Statement of Intent again
in the middle of March... they said they can't download it



thank you for your rapid and helpful reply - you should be hearing from us shortly.
all my best,
Sarah Whiting

Sarah M. Whiting
William Ward Watkin Professor
Dean, Rice School of Architecture

by the way I did apply for opt.2
hope that's why i'm not hearing any good news.

I am skeptical about the Berkeley gradcafe postings - the first indicated rejection but with hefty$? I called the grad office this morning and they said they'd let us know by the first week of April.

Applications were up 10% this year and with budget cuts I am not surprised to still be waiting.

Ah christ.

Pythagoras>
I don't have my portfolio online at all. sorry. I have been drooling over some of the portfolios I have seen up here myself. I hope that you didn't misinterpret my post as condescending ("lesser beings"?). it was meant to give some hope to people that don't have access to all of those things you mentioned. For instance me. I got a lot of help from friends that I knew who had been to design schools, I sought out people in other art disciplines (photography, ceramics, etc). I mean a friend of mine took all of my photos. We set up a studio in my living room. Reaching out to people in the community for inspiration and help was essential. But don't get me wrong I was freaking out about the portfolio. I mean December and very early January was one of the most hellish experiences of my life.

koru, thanks~~

lewisandclark, jetreit : In the acceptance email to Pratt, no aid or scholarship are mentioned. I wonder...

What are you wondering?

Come on FedEx...!

gsd sends to american students via usps (priority/2-day). international via fedex. they sent some out to both on friday.

01nichols,

I applied to:

UWSTL: in (nice option to have, and the location is important because it is at the forefront of problems that I am concerned/ curious about - Post-Industrial community)
Oregon: in (like the history, the philosophy and the locale)
CCA: in (its allure is being in SF)
Texas: ? - but it isn't looking good
Cincinnati: ? (long shot)
Berkeley: ? - God Please, I don't want to move again, and it's so beautiful here
Colorado: ? Love the state, beautiful, but am dubious about program (if someone knows otherwise, please enlighten me.)
UW Seattle: ?

So your Berkeley Port was different because of the 12 page max (or am i miss counting)? Be interested to see that one.

No, I think that the pure sort of minimalist aesthetic is attractive. And I think that it is achieved not in the diminishing of the complexity of a work, but conversely through its complication. This is to say, that particularly in your work, it is not adulterated by glitz - there are these great lines, forms, and therefore (perhaps) larger ideas that come through in the work. Therefore the lack of a reliance on color is a strong suit in your work (whereas the mastery of color might be a strong suit in another's work).

I had to go simple because that was my only option due to lack of material, but I hope that every page is significant because it is appended to a real issue or topic. It is always more of a matter of being honest about one knows. This exercise, then, only accentuates one's ability to tackle what he does not know. The humanistic quality of your work is strong, which is important for an option III or whatever it's called. I like how your images speak toward very real, overwhelming and almost ineffable issues - things that I too am concerned about.

Real, overwhelming and almost ineffable issues. I like that.