I am interested in applying for M. Arch, as well programs that are similar to architecture.
Here is my background:
Standing: Junior Standing; Plan to apply for M. Arch next year
Major: Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design
GPA: 2.6 (Approximately 2.8 for graduation GPA)
Portfolio: Yr 1 & 2: Architecture, Yr 3 & 4: Environmental Design
Planned Schools:
Wentworth Institute of Technology: M. Arch
MassArt: M. Arch
Boston Architectural College: Arch, Interior Arch, Landscape Arch,
Roger Williams University (RI): M. Arch
Rhode Island School of Design: Landscape Arch
Back-up Schools:
Suffolk University: Interior Arch
UMass Boston: MS in Urban Planning and Community Development
Boston University: Master of City Planning
placebeyondthesplines
Jul 20, 15 3:00 pm
2.6?!
chi-arc
Jul 22, 15 4:19 pm
2.6-2.8 GPA is definitely on the lower side BUT a well put together portfolio and good recommendations can make up for that. I would tell you to focus on the portfolio as much as you can. Build relationships with professors/employers that could write recommendations. If you want, post your portfolio on here for feedback.
mj100
Jul 23, 15 12:44 pm
I thought most grad schools required at least a 3.0 GPA (I know mine did)
ccarry
Jul 24, 15 11:00 am
Many Schools do have a 3.0 requirement but not all of them. Definitely look on the websites of the programs you are looking at to make sure they accept lower GPA's. The general consensus about the GPA vs admissions I seem to be hearing is that It doesnt matter as much as you think it would. Strong Portfolios can overcome weaker GPA's. My advise is to take some Studio art classes. Get out of your comfort zone this year and your senior year of College and push yourself to create some quality pieces for your portfolio that will set you apart from other applicants.
Good Luck!
placebeyondthesplines
Jul 24, 15 5:00 pm
But why do you have a 2.6? And what kind of outstanding portfolio material do you have to make up for it? Remember, you're in an pool of applicants who also have outstanding portfolios AND actually took their undergraduate education seriously.
Whatever work ethic got you that GPA as an undergraduate needs to be radically reconsidered if you want to survive graduate school. 2.6 is abysmal.
BR.TN
Jul 26, 15 3:41 pm
placebeyondthesplines,
Wentworth, MassArt, BAC, and Roger Williams University aren't prestigious enough to warrant the type of competiton you're alluding to. If these were Top 20 programs, sure the OP would find most of their competitors have the qualifications you've mentioned.
OP, the only way you'll get into any of these schools is if you have some outstanding portfolio pieces with some references/letter-of-recommendation-writers that you're close enough to who can vouch that you're really more intelligent than the average 2.6/2.8gpa-achiever, and that your grades primarily suffered because of subjective grading criteria (unless your transcript shows that your poorer grades were in objectively graded classes outside the architecture/env. des. department, like geology, cultural studies, literature, etc.)
placebeyondthesplines
Jul 27, 15 12:57 am
@BR.TN
That's a valid point. RISD isn't happening, though, and whatever led to that embarrassingly shitty GPA needs to be seriously addressed.
I am interested in applying for M. Arch, as well programs that are similar to architecture.
Here is my background:
Standing: Junior Standing; Plan to apply for M. Arch next year
Major: Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design
GPA: 2.6 (Approximately 2.8 for graduation GPA)
Portfolio: Yr 1 & 2: Architecture, Yr 3 & 4: Environmental Design
Planned Schools:
Wentworth Institute of Technology: M. Arch
MassArt: M. Arch
Boston Architectural College: Arch, Interior Arch, Landscape Arch,
Roger Williams University (RI): M. Arch
Rhode Island School of Design: Landscape Arch
Back-up Schools:
Suffolk University: Interior Arch
UMass Boston: MS in Urban Planning and Community Development
Boston University: Master of City Planning
2.6?!
2.6-2.8 GPA is definitely on the lower side BUT a well put together portfolio and good recommendations can make up for that. I would tell you to focus on the portfolio as much as you can. Build relationships with professors/employers that could write recommendations. If you want, post your portfolio on here for feedback.
I thought most grad schools required at least a 3.0 GPA (I know mine did)
Many Schools do have a 3.0 requirement but not all of them. Definitely look on the websites of the programs you are looking at to make sure they accept lower GPA's. The general consensus about the GPA vs admissions I seem to be hearing is that It doesnt matter as much as you think it would. Strong Portfolios can overcome weaker GPA's. My advise is to take some Studio art classes. Get out of your comfort zone this year and your senior year of College and push yourself to create some quality pieces for your portfolio that will set you apart from other applicants.
Good Luck!
But why do you have a 2.6? And what kind of outstanding portfolio material do you have to make up for it? Remember, you're in an pool of applicants who also have outstanding portfolios AND actually took their undergraduate education seriously.
Whatever work ethic got you that GPA as an undergraduate needs to be radically reconsidered if you want to survive graduate school. 2.6 is abysmal.
placebeyondthesplines,
Wentworth, MassArt, BAC, and Roger Williams University aren't prestigious enough to warrant the type of competiton you're alluding to. If these were Top 20 programs, sure the OP would find most of their competitors have the qualifications you've mentioned.
OP, the only way you'll get into any of these schools is if you have some outstanding portfolio pieces with some references/letter-of-recommendation-writers that you're close enough to who can vouch that you're really more intelligent than the average 2.6/2.8gpa-achiever, and that your grades primarily suffered because of subjective grading criteria (unless your transcript shows that your poorer grades were in objectively graded classes outside the architecture/env. des. department, like geology, cultural studies, literature, etc.)
@BR.TN
That's a valid point. RISD isn't happening, though, and whatever led to that embarrassingly shitty GPA needs to be seriously addressed.