Gotta lot of you to reply to-

Pythagoras-
Wow, what an amazing compliment, thank you!! You've also come off as sensitive and intelligent, and I hope you end up in the place that will let you develop and grow to the fullest of your potential.

Mitboi-
What I meant by problem-solving can be seen through Waqas' port, or Sixtrain's, or any of the other non-Arch background people. Basically, it's having a design 'problem' and figuring out how to solve it.

I think one challenge employed often is to take some sort of modular form (be it card, paper cup, floss/toothpick thing, etc.) and find ways to fit them together into a sort of self-contained system and structure. Like, make a rule for a system (Slot A of Cup 1 will always fit into Slot B of Cup 2) and see where it goes when you do it a hundred times over, what new forms develop.

Then make up a new system, and try that.
Or make modules based off of 5 parts, and then make a NEW system to fit THOSE segments together.... And of course, document the entire process.

That's just 1 example.

But yeah, a summer program will walk you through all this glamorous stuff, which I still don't quite get/enjoy, but is what the AdComs seem to want. I did Sci-Arc's Making+Meaning. INTENSE is not enough of a word. It didn't have ANY computers, though, which I really wish it had, since I don't programs that well. It is far more about working with materials with your hands (woodshops, skewers, plasters, learning hand technical drawing, etc.) Your brain will explode.

Andrasteia- (sounds like a Greek tragedy)...
I applied to M.Arch Option 1, no background.
(I kinda do have a little background, in a technical school right now.)

WorkingHoot- Dayum, man! Congrats on all your admits. Did you post your port anywhere?

Waqas- Only GSD asked for Calc, none of the other places noticed? How strange.

vyan,

so far ive gotten into MIT and Columbia.

my GPA was under a 3.0

sooooooo bummed....just got waitlisted at Pratt.....

oh yeah, last but not least-

Word2Bird- CONGRATS, lady!!!

I remember you sounded so down on yourself, this is truly a great turn-around. I looked at your port, it was flippin good, I thought... good graphics and everything. You totally deserve all the best. I didn't even think such a thing existed, not only a full ride, but a STIPEND on top of it? Seriously, especially with the economy, that's a Gd-send, and to one of the best schools in the States... Crazy!

Will the tuition-waiver and stipend last all 3 years?

did any non-AP GSD folk get in today?

Anyone overseas accepted to Harvard GSD MArch I this week?

Please post your stats if you have the chance:

http://thegradcafe.com/survey/post.php

*That is, "this week, with mail postmarked on the 15th or later"

Much appreciated.

Sbeth85_ thanks, girl! future female architects of the world, unite!!!

i'm definitely stoked on berkeley's offer and still can't believe it's really real. this is such a blessing since i was really stressin' the financial part.

the tuition waiver and stipend are only for the 2010-2011 academic term, but it is my understanding that the opportunity for aid actually increases during the 2nd and 3rd years, with gsi positions and what have you.

glad you liked my portfolio. i stuggled a bit with the making + meaning sci-arc stuff because it was a bit all over the place. i'm sure you understand :)

let's see some portfolios!

How many people get waitlisted per program? I've heard that for more selective programs like MFA Creative Writing, it's only 2 or 3 folks, anyone know about Architecture?

Anyone get $$ from GSD? Anyone who didn't apply to GSD but wanted to?

Just found out I was accepted to gsd today. I'm thinking of declining the offer. Do you think I'm crazy?

subyellow - MArch1 or MArch2?

dot,

i posted back on p27, but here it is again:

http://issuu.com/rickcos/docs/portfolio2

rickcos

tyMArchII - MArch2

Getting any financial aid from them?

subyellow -
Let me check my mailbox when I get home from work...then I'll get back to you! haha!! Just kidding. (no I'm not!)

What are your other options?

A Haiku

Damned Empty Mailbox!
You hateful void of sorrow.
Harvard. You kill me.


I can't believe I left work for this. fml.

Hey hey now. Just because it's empty today doesn't mean it will be empty tomorrow. Snail mail is just cruel like that.

ImCourtney-

I was wandering the same regarding Rice... like, how good are my chances to get actually accepted?

And will they offer any fin aid?

I saw some people got a FULL RIDE to Rice... that's freakin sweet.

hahahahaha

here's a haiku:

THE BLIZZARD:
Loves to soak and splurge
Strong- no words necessary
Left us on a whim
-DM

all for you nikki :)

Here's my portfolio:

http://issuu.com/bandit003/docs/portfolio

It is a mix of both academic and professional work.
Any comments?

"fml" -- haha, love it

I just called the Grad. Admissions office at Berkeley. I asked if they might know when those who haven't heard decisions might hear from them, and they said that anyone who hasn't, would hear today or tomorrow.

Guh... pretty sure it's a decision I don't want to hear.

bandit003: I like your river building. The 3D model rendering is great. Section cuts are the best drawings, and yours are a big part of your portfolio. Cool.

If you got into YALE, COLUMBIA, HARVARD, MIT, CORNELL, UCLA, BERK

can you please post your GPA?
and portfolio?

sorry to be demanding, but as I am reading this I'm so envious of you guys and just want to be in the same position.

as someone who has been through the process, i know these threads can be very hermetic and anxiety-inducing, but the pay-off is always the display of portfolios at the end. thanks for sharing.

I am with you rasuache--seriously anxious about berkeley but already planning on reapplying next year. Congrats to all the berkeley 3-year admits. I would love to get some of your contacts if you accept so that I can get your feedback on my portfolio for next year. Berk is my top choice so I'm not giving up after round one rejections!!

my background is in comparative literature, nyu, (3.8 gpa) and i currently work at Google in communications

gres are v. average-660 verbal, 650, but 5.5 on the writing

got into u wash, u of oregon and cca, but i'd like to stay in california

am embarrassed of my portfolio after seeing the stellar work here but plan on reworking a ton of stuff for next year

post it, post it, post it, post it,.

subyellow

you're not crazy i am thinking declining too since i got a lot more aid from MIT...

don't wanna be in too much debt

in any case, i'll make my decision after the open houses

i've been admitted to berkeley w/ tuition waiver + $10k stipend for the 1st year and am happy to help anyone... specially all the ladies out there as i understand the struggle and am more than willing and glad to pay it forward. i myself got tons of help from friends, instructors, family, etc... in coming up with my portfolio and what not.

i've posted my stats several times on this thread, but since we're on page 36, i'm sure it's hard to find. my portfolio is on page 23. very simple and to the point.

for those without a background in architecture, i would strongly suggest participating in a summer program. berekeley has one this summer and it's the perfect opportunity to get a feel of the program, department, plus, i really think it may give you the edge you need to be admitted next year. i participated in sci-arc's summer program in 2008 and then berekeley's summer program in 2009. it was tough financially, but pays for itself and then some with the fellowship berkeley has kindly awarded to me.

again, please feel free to reach out :D

I really wish I could take another year and give applications a second shot. Being 27 and having a non-architectural degree, it is *very* difficult for me to consider delaying what I really want to be doing, another year. But it does seem like I am selling myself slightly short by going to schools I may be admitted to but that I'm not extremely excited about.

I do know though, that I have learned a ton about this process and what it takes to get into those architecture programs I am excited about, and that if I did get to re-do this, I could get into one of them. It is just really difficult to justify doing that, and finally getting my masters degree at 32 instead of 31.

Here's to hopefully hearing some good news soon, and ending up with a few more options than I do now... and the same for the rest of you!

sixtrain is non arch? I tried to see his portfolio but the link is broken.

I always find non arch's portfolios helpful, since I'm in a similar position and to be honest, architecture portfolios confuse me. :) guess I'm not used to them. it'd be good to see sixtrain's. or any other non arch who got into some top schools and haven't posted. or indicate the pg number the of the portfolios that were already downloaded.

I feel like maybe I should've tried for some american schools, after hearing you can actually get free rides. That was the only thing holding me back, the price tag being way too insane for my taste. oh well what's done is done, and I got into the school I wanted. although u of t is taking it's sweet time....

praxis99

you may have already stated this before, but, which program at MIT did you apply for? MArch or SMArchS?

why where did you get into rascuache?

waitImpatiently - MArch

you?

oh wait i remember

you're waiting impatiently for SMArch

good luck!

Rascuache:

I kind of feel the same way right now, but your comment helps me put things into perspective. I just turned 22 a few weeks ago - If i don't like the outcome of this round of applications, I can try again and still get my degree by 26.

I can imagine that to an admissions dpt. age 21 = really underbaked = put her in the "no" pile.

This forum seems to have doubled in size in the past week. I'm traveling in Turkey and have been having trouble keeping up, but have skimmed through from time to time to see if there is any news on the schools I am waiting to hear from. Congrats to all of those who have heard good news lately, especially those hearing from Berkeley and UW! And full rides with stipends?!??! I'm unbelievably jealous, but happy for you nonetheless.

I'm into UT Austin and U of O, waiting to hear from Berkeley and UW (and an inevitable rejection from MIT, as well as acceptances to some safety schools I don't care about at this point). Is there anyone else deciding between these schools? Any input? I'm hoping to visit both in the next few weeks and get a sense of what would be a better fit. Also hoping to hear more financial details, which could perhaps make it an easy decision.

Last question, since my skimming has been incomplete -- how are people hearing from UW and Berkeley? Email? Phone calls? Snail mail? I haven't seen any emails yet, but won't know about the others until I'm back in the States on Monday.

Thanks and congrats to all!

Sweetpotato and other young'uns-

I find it seriously hard to believe that they pay THAT much attention to your age. In fact, I think it could actually HELP you, when they see something underdeveloped or that you lack work experience, they'll say, "well, she's young, but for her age she's stacking up very well."

At the end of the day, your age is a small, small number amidst a sea of other data (GRE scores, transcripts, etc etc.) I seriously doubt they get your portfolio, look up your age, and then gasp in shock/awe/disgust... ya know what I mean.

No one's gonna disqualify you for your age, only lack of strength in some component, just like everyone else.

But, as you pointed out, the advantage is that you can choose to re-apply next year and still be relatively young. Lucky y'all :)

rascuache_ don't settle! i think you should attend a program you're really pumped about. it doesn't have to be an ivy on anywhere fancy, but you should be happy with your choice and not just feel like you're settling because you don't want to finish at 32.

i'm 28, and though i sometimes feel like i'll be the grandma of the bunch, i'm glad i refrained from applying last year. i know for sure my options would be have been a lot more limited then, if i even had options at all.

just saying, be good with your choice. feel happy, proud, and all that good stuff! ice cream, cotton candy, puppies, sunshine, trees, you get my drift.

tyMArchII- Sorry for the late response. I was dumb and somehow thought I was ineligble for the bursary so I didn't apply. One of my friends was accepted to the DRL as well and he's still waiting to hear back. I heard they're really rare though.

Thanks tactilegoods, I pretty much told the AA that if I didn't get the bursary then I wouldn't be able to go. So have you decided on your school yet?

I got in sans-AP.
http://www.waqasjawaid.com
I simply cannot afford to matriculate at any of these schools. Ideas?

I just called the Grad. Admissions office at Berkeley. I asked if they might know when those who haven't heard decisions might hear from them, and they said that anyone who hasn't, would hear today or tomorrow.

Dun dun DAHH.

You know that Ween song, Now I'm Freaking Out? Yea... now, I'm freaking out.

it's somewhat a matter of luck and cosmic karma as well... could be such a toss up. there are people who have been accepted to mit and yale, but not columbia... who really knows?

Backstreet Boys are playing on the radio... :cracks up:

thought i'd share :) "Bye Bye Bye!"

Anyone have any advice about how to get in off a waitlist? Or at least have a feel for how many people are waitlisted and how many they generally take?

congrats to all the GSD, Rice, Cornell and Berkeley admits! Really awesome schools.