Found this thread super helpful last year so figured I'd revive it for this round of applications. Feel free to share and we'll get through this (exceptionally) stressful time together.
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
Letter of recommendations
Personal Essay/Statement
Portfolio
Schools
Open house impressions
Results
Tips
archi_gram
Dec 26, 20 8:34 am
I heard this year is going to be the most competitive year in history because of all the deferrals. So Good luck to all!
Luques
Dec 29, 20 10:31 pm
can you expand on this comment - from whom did you hear this? is this in reference to a particular school?
are you saying that applicants who were accepted last year deferred starting their Masters programs to this year so there will be fewer seats for this year's applicant pool? I was under the impression that (some? many?) schools did not allow deferrals.
kidomega
Dec 30, 20 6:57 am
OP posted the same comment in another thread exactly like this. Probably just trolling/intimidating/stressing applicants. There were definitely deferrals in the previous cycle, but that doesn't guarantee that they're re-applying again for this coming cycle and/or get automatically accepted. No one is even assured yet if schools next year will be back in campus or still be remote/virtual.
archi_gram
Jan 12, 21 7:59 pm
You probably just don't want to accept the fact. Here are some data from Harvard's EA to give you some insights on this application season "Havard College today accepted 747 students to the Class of 2025 from a pool of 10,086 who applied under the early action program. Those students will join 349 others who deferred admission to the Class of 2025 this past summer. Last year, 895 students were selected from the 6,424 who applied." And I think you have some misunderstandings about the word defer
Whoknow
Jan 12, 21 8:39 pm
I mean not everyone here only applies to Harvard, some people just want to apply to an M.arch program that suits their interest, you know... But well if you are talking about Harvard, it is competitive regardless.
dd_x
Jan 12, 21 9:06 pm
I don't know about all the school but some (GSAPP, Yale, GSD, Princeton, Cornell) did mentioned on their open house events that they didn't allow people to defer the past cycle. Regardless, I do agree with archi_gram that this will be a more
competitive circle.
kidomega
Jan 12, 21 10:09 pm
That's Harvard COLLEGE, not even the GSD which does not have the same student intake/population in terms of age, experience, etc. (nor any graduate school or school of architecture/design/etc. that the people in this thread are applying to). That is a totally different demographic and the statistics of that sample doesn't automatically equate nor translate with the other institutions. The issue here is that you seem to be spreading this comment of yours across the application status t
hreads with no basis (as Luques is asking you). Generally speaking, by default, Harvard as a whole has always been competitive, but so are the other Ivies, UCLA, UC Berkeley, etc. Do you have the figures of these institutions (and the others) that also prove that this cycle will forecast a more competitive selection/even lower admissions rate than ever before (specifically for graduate school)?
deathbydesign
Jan 15, 21 10:59 pm
Maybe what OP meant by "competitive" is that there's a broader pool of applicants this year because the application process and requirements were more lenient? Thus setting a higher bar in the selection criteria for admissions. Possibly what used to be the hierarchy of requirements (portfolio, essay, recommendations, GPAs) will now share equal value, making it more challenging to craft each requirement equally as important and as provoking as the other. There's great talent out there that don't get to apply to their dream schools, or the big schools, due to restraints in even complying with what is asked during application, so this cycle gives them that opportunity. Let's face it, certain admitted students, even while having a stellar portfolio, essay, recommendation, and grades to get admitted into their choice of programs, have the extra advantage of accessibility and privilege that some, if not many, equal to their talent don't. So with a few extra doors opened for this cycle making it possible to apply without hesitations, there's definitely a higher level of competency that this cycle of applicants are setting.
mitbos
Jan 26, 21 5:52 am
@Luques I got in GSAPP last year. Defers are only barred after July. There were about 1/4 of the class deferred to this year as they made their decisions early before policies changed. One classmate said we were really desperate last year and accepted 200 waitlist. Not sure if true. I know there were less defers at Cornell because they resumed in person. But It wasn't pretty at all at other ivies and MIT because of online. I was in the sciarc email ring. The tension was there in the last few months before school starts because many people can't decide if they want to apply again.
placebeyondthesplines
Jan 27, 21 10:30 am
the issue with this year's admissions has less to do with deferrals than leaves of absence. though schools were generally stingy with deferrals for 2020-2021, they allowed for many returning students to take a semester (or year) away from their programs.
as many of those students are expected to return in fall 2021, there will be reduced studio space for the newly admitted incoming class, so the admissions process will necessarily be more competitive.
rainonme
Jan 31, 21 6:30 am
schools only stop allowing deferrals after too many people doing that. Either way, reapplying this year still stresses the already fierce competition.
placebeyondthesplines
Jan 31, 21 8:54 pm
you have no idea what you're talking about. many of the top graduate architecture programs do not ever allow deferrals.
rainonme
Feb 2, 21 7:31 am
As an international student, I can tell you based on my own experience associated with a top-ranking university and stories from my current classmates at a study away program in China who are from all different other top universities in the US, that schools have dramatic adaptations on defers and gap year goers over the past year in light of the US embassy shut down globally. It might be unprecedented, but Covid changed everything. Schools provide options for international students because it's not fair for us too. Again, I studied away and took online courses, but I told you what I saw in groups chats and what I heard from people
growingblockuniverse
Dec 29, 20 1:25 am
I'll start:
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Class of 2020
GPA: 3.31
Letters: Two past studio professors and current boss (founding principal architect)
Open House Impressions: None in-person. Most attracted to the AA for its mix of computational experimentation (AADRL) and prioritization of realistic architectural prompts in its studios' assignments. Columbia and AA have very impressive shops/resources for fabrication.
Results: Awaiting decisions from all (as of 12/29/20)
Tips:
Portfolio - "Finish" your portfolio weeks before the first deadline. While many of the applications have roughly equivalent requirements for the portfolio, slight differences (such as page length, file size, spreads vs, no spreads and whether a spread counts as a single page, credits to collaborators and professors, etc.) will become time-consuming to adjust.
Personal Essay - Like the portfolio requirements, the prompts and word-counts for this submission often vary slightly from school to school. Give yourself plenty of time to make adjustments to accommodate these differences. Like any writing assignment, my final products came by writing and revising a number of drafts. Space out working on these between days/sleep levels/moods. What felt like a brilliant sentence might be completely different to you three days later. Send for proofing to people whose writing and intellects you trust/respect (in and out of architecture) for proofing.
Letters of Recommendation - Send the requests to each referee as early as possible. I would recommend jumping straight to this page on each application and then returning to fill in the rest. Give your references as much time as possible to complete the submissions.
General - Applying to Graduate School is a serious time commitment, and the entire process has required consistent work since early October (for me). Start earlier than you think you need to. Start earlier than you think you need to. Start earlier than you think you need to.
Good luck to all!
natematt
Dec 29, 20 4:05 am
If you're interested in fabrication you should check out the University of Michigan.
Good luck!
cbkk
Dec 31, 20 2:14 pm
Portfolio link doesn't seem to be valid anymore but looked great when I flipped through a couple days ago, and couldn't agree more re: most of your tips.
We're applying to many of the same places, so good luck!
growingblockuniverse
Jan 16, 21 4:06 pm
Edit: Invited for a Zoom interview at the Architectural Association
cbkk
Dec 31, 20 3:48 pm
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
B.S. Arch / University of Cincinnati / 2018
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.5 / N/A
Letter of recommendations
One former professor, two current supervisors (design principals with corporate firm)
Personal Essay/Statement
Took a more personal approach in describing a unique upbringing and the ways in which that background has come to elucidate my current perception and future ambitions for architecture. More or less kept a consistent format for each and heavily modified one/multiple paragraphs toward each school.
Attended virtually but wasn't exceptionally impressed by any of them... Placing more stock in current student/alum experience and past personal visits.
Results
Awaiting
Tips
Recommendations: Make sure to have a backup recommender that you trust to pull through if/when someone else flakes. A former professor that agreed to write my third letter months ago went silent days before deadlines, so I decided on a second professional recommendation instead. Most schools prefer two academic references but in the end they want someone who knows you well and will give an honest opinion, especially if you've been out of school an extended period like I have. That being said, give them plenty of time – I sent requests in September and each of them submitted only a few days ago.
Portfolio: This is undoubtedly the most significant part of the application, so treat it as so. Make sure the information is clear, concise, and easy to follow. Let your main images pop (hero renderings, drawings, etc) but don't be afraid to show dirty process work as well. Schools want to know how you think critically and why you approached a problem in the way you did. Rendering and graphic skills are no doubt important but the focus should be on the overall story you're intending to tell. To this end, allow text to serve as a supplemental narrative to the imagery - outline a problem and how/why you chose to solve it, rather than simply verbally explaining what's being shown in the visuals.
Essays: Allow for more time than you think you will need for these. Writing always came relatively easy to me so I wasn't too concerned going in, but found these to be much more difficult and time consuming than I anticipated. Treat the statement as a companion to your portfolio - a written account of who you are and why these schools should accept you. Rather than simply listing the things on your CV, use it as a chance to explain how you've come to form the position you inevitably possess and wish to further develop with graduate study.
General: Treat the portfolio, essays, CV and letters as a cohesive, single package. Aim for each to complement and build off one another, but still maintain the ability to adequately portray your qualifications independently. And above all else, start early.
Good luck!
hellion
Jan 6, 21 10:38 am
Great portfolio! Neatly laid-out as well. Good luck!
lmaccora
Dec 31, 20 4:56 pm
Hello, M.Arch Fall 2021 Applicants!
My name is Lisa and I am currently working for UTSOA's grad office as a student assistant. I would be more than happy to help or inform anyone who has questions about our M.Arch program or its application process! I have a BS.Arch from OSU and will be graduating with my M.Arch from UT Austin in May 2021! I also will be graduating with a certificate in Historic Preservation if anyone has questions about that as well.
Best of luck to all applying for grad programs this year!
emselyyy
Jan 10, 21 5:01 pm
Hi! I'll go since last year's forum has helped me a lot:
TCU 18' Studio Art/Art History, 3.6
No Architecture background but I took LAIAD's Grad Prep Program and i would recommend it to any non-arch background entering grad school.
Took the GRE because UCLA needed it, didn't do great
Neat portfolio! I felt the descriptions were easy to understand and the work is pretty cool. Though on the 10-11 spread, I think the title block is a bit hard to read over the photo. Also with the line running underneath, I notice some of the drawings bleed over it to the bottom edge and sometimes not. That's really a minor peeve though.
lmaccora
Jan 15, 21 5:27 pm
Hi! I see that you have applied to UT Austin. I am currently in the M.Arch program there (graduating in May 2021) and would be happy to answer any of your questions about the program or give you insight into student life! Feel free to reach out if I can be of any help! - Lisa Maccora
emselyyy
Feb 17, 21 10:15 pm
update: in at Berkley!
y920
Feb 19, 21 12:33 am
congrats! Btw it's so nice to see another studio art & art history student here
:) Are you going to their open house?
emselyyy
Mar 9, 21 1:11 pm
Yeah, I went to their open house, it was nice!
emselyyy
Mar 9, 21 1:12 pm
and update: in at UT!
emselyyy
Mar 16, 21 7:42 pm
in at Georgia Tech
emselyyy
Mar 25, 21 4:43 pm
out at UCLA, finally heard back
emselyyy
Mar 30, 21 1:48 pm
Out at Columbia, finally heard back
emselyyy
Apr 15, 21 6:29 pm
final update: committed to Berkeley
bullymaguire21
Jan 13, 21 4:03 pm
I've been a ghost on this forum for a long time. I recently made an account for this graduate admission cycle.
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
professional BS Landscape Architecture/Cornell University/2021
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.7/4.0 - 165V/164Q/5.0 - no TOEFL
Letter of recommendations
2 Studio Instructors and 1 Professor/Employer
Personal Essay/Statement
Focused
on my research interests, my career aspirations and how I began to
pursue them through my undergraduate studies. It's crazy where I am right now. Originally, I went to Cornell to study Physics. Interests lie in climate resilience, new design materials and collaborative design research projects.
Portfolio
I'm definitely not the most technically proficient and I focused a lot on the layout to keep things relatively easy on the eyes. Converted a lot of data into graphs and diagrammes. I tried to keep the pages succulent and edited out a lot of drawings that weren't too great. I honestly had a lot of great sketchbooks in storage back in school. With the travel restrictions, it's too bad they didn't make it in.
MIT, Harvard GSD, Cornell, Yale, Columbia and UPenn
Open house impressions
MIT, GSD and Yale most align with my current research interests. I have my fingers crossed and hope for some scholarships too. I definitely can't afford to pay it all.
Would also love to return to Cornell as an MLA grad. Ithaca might be cold and drab but the people at Cornell are lovely!
Results
TBA
Tips
All of these programmes are so competitive and any acceptances should be celebrated. The times are so unprecedented and I wish everyone the best of luck!
PS If anyone is applying to Cornell MLA or any Cornell school, DM me if you want to know more about the studio culture (or Ithaca).
bullymaguire21
Mar 1, 21 3:14 pm
GSD: In $$$ (M.Arch I)
bullymaguire21
Mar 1, 21 3:14 pm
Yale: Out
bullymaguire21
Mar 5, 21 11:37 am
Cornell
: Out (M.Arch I)
bullymaguire21
Mar 6, 21 4:12 pm
Penn: In (early notif idk why. no aid package yet)
dougy99
Jan 20, 21 11:48 am
Hey so this is late but I thought I might as well post this here cause the these posts in the last few years were helpful
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
Economics and Computer Science / McGill University (Canada) / 2021
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.85/4.0 - didn't do - didn't do
Letter of recommendations
2 from profs at my school; Economics and Architecture prof, two from past employers; President of a tech market research company and president of an interior design firm
Personal Essay/Statement
I focused mine a lot on why I am where I am now, harping a fair bit on my brothers and mums battle with cancer over the course of my university education. I was originally going to do a Bachelors of Arch but after talking to some other architects they suggested I try a few other things first to then really confirm this path so here I am. I've had to pay for my own way through school so I've always had a job (which required design work) while working at school which I spoke about as well.
Portfolio
All my design work comes from work experience where I've designed advertisements and websites / draw in my free time so this is definitely lower quality than the rest. I don't have my portfolio on issuu but for reference here is one of the websites I developed and included in my portfolio: https://www.wyngit.com. I included some sculptures as well as I really wanted my portfolio to have a little bit of everything seeing as I'm coming from a relatively different background than most. A big fall back of mine is I laid out my portfolio in a very minimal way as though it was a pamphlet which lacks display of my process for each piece.
Schools
M.Arch I:
Columbia, UC Berkeley, UBC (Canada), U of T (Canada)
Open house impressions
Didn't go just read about them here lol.
Results
TBA
Tips
As has been repeated so many times already, start early. I left my essays to a week before their due date each time. They were all due around the time of my final exams which made December a very stressful month.
Whoknow
Jan 21, 21 12:04 pm
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
BA in Architecture / UCB / 2019
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.1 - Waive - Waive
Letter of recommendations
4 Studio Profs
Personal Essay/Statement
Basically talked about architectural elements in the city where I grew up and how those inspired me.
I didnt go to any of them, I wish I could, it always conflicts with my work hours. Tho, I did join GSD InDesign Bootcamp, and the instructors shared their portfolios, and I think those are pretty beautiful portfolios.
Results
Will See! Wish me luck I guess. :)
Tips
General, I can’t stress it enough is to start early, if you couldn’t start the application physically, start it in your head, think about it, be obsessed with it, and treat it as a year-long design exercise where you have to craft your portfolio and writing. Make your personal statement and portfolio speak with each other cohesively.
Portfolio: Most important material, it is a process of understanding yourself as a designer, and trust me, if you spend enough time working on your portfolio, you will realize why you design certain things and understand your logic behind the design. I looked back at my old sketchbook years ago, and I was trying to compare those final products with my early sketches, and I realized a lot of those sketches are basically my final idea with just more refined graphics. So sometimes, you got to have to look backward to move forward. Schools give you full of deadlines, parties, events, and sleepless night studies, and certainly, we just forgot about the most valuable elements hid behind the early pages of your sketchbook. So keep your sketchbooks, don’t throw them away. Include sketches in your portfolio, and not all but some that speak out the most.
After you think you are at a stopping point with your portfolio, ask people to judge it, sure they will give plenty of comments base on their preference, all are valuable to look at the different set of eyes. You can treat it as Quality Control ( Spelling and Grammar mistakes, Color Balance, Layout ). I have asked many people on this forum to help me with that, and I felt grateful and thankful for all of those comments. The final portfolio is not perfect, still have some layout issues but I am quite happy with it for now. Just do the best you can.
Essay, not an expert in writing because English is my second language. But just think about it when you are free, layout your idea when you are free, I usually did it in the shower, so sometimes I take a 30-minute shower and wasted a lot of water. Definitely write a genuine one and don’t try to impress any school, I think they just want to see an applicant’s unique perspective toward architecture. Do some research on the school you apply, to have a general idea of the strengths and focuses of the program. I am still improving on my writing so...
Good Luck to everyone :)
autocat
Jan 26, 21 6:30 pm
Love the portfolio! Best of luck, did you apply for advanced standing?
Whoknow
Jan 26, 21 6:40 pm
I didn't apply for AP, I think the committee will decide that I think. I am coming from a BA so technically I don't think that I am qualified for AP or M.arch II.
autocat
Jan 26, 21 5:39 pm
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
B.S. Environmental Design, Minor- Studio Art/ Arizona State University / 2021
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.31, Junior/Senior GPA- 3.98 - N/A - N/A
Letter of recommendations
Two professors, my boss
Personal Essay/Statement
Different for almost every school, especially the GSD one. I took some different approaches with those smaller, sectioned essays that were more about specific experiences, and relayed it back to why I love architecture. Went a little off the wall/avant-garde with some of the essays for GSD, but I don't think it hurt me? Fingers crossed. Overall in the other ones I discussed my cultural background, background in engineering, why I transferred to design, what I aim to do with it, why I will never look back.
Portfolio
I transferred to Environmental Design my third year of undergrad, and I've been in this degree for two years. ASU doesn't have the best EnvD degree, so most of my projects have been reliant on first year architecture studio, metalsmithing, sketches I have done, paintings. It's not perfect, there are definitely things I wish I changed, but overall I am happy with it. If anyone requests I'll post.
Schools
Harvard GSD
IIT
Columbia GSAPP
ASU
Pratt
Open house impressions
Most of my investment was in GSAPP, so mainly attended those and their online lectures. I already attend ASU so I am pretty familiar with their mission and facilities. Overall: love ASU's focus on Indigenous design, they have a great biomimicry center here and very diverse class range so you could explore other interests as well. But it's just really, really hot, but it's "a dry heat". GSAPP was also great, very comprehensive sessions. It's also NY, and their lectures have been really well-structured and informational.
Results
In: ASU
Waiting on the rest
Tips
Start as early as possible. I know everyone says this, so I won't go over it too much. I would also recommend taking time away from a project, and coming back to it, even redoing the project completely just for the portfolio. We tend to get tunnel vision, I find that putting the laptop down, taking a break and coming back will help a lot with the creativity block.
Many of us don't have an architectural background. So if you are showing your art projects, show your progress, even if it means you have to go back to make up some progress. Don't underestimate sketches that you have buried away, they show design prowess. Don't worry about making your portfolio look like an architecture portfolio, they would rather see your amazing underwater basket weaving as opposed to your mediocre CAD drawings. I didn't have a single CAD drawing in my portfolio. Yes I did some in undergrad, but they are faaar from my best work, so I won't include them.
For the essay, don't be too generic. Don't tell them how you were always meant to do architecture and you built with LEGOS since you were 7 and that somehow means you are meant to go to Yale. Be honest, but don't be too TMI. I honestly may have been a little too TMI about my mental illness in my essays.
For those whose English is not their first language: have someone whose is proofread your essay(s), I would also be happy to read over them if you ever want to DM me. I believe those on the admissions board are understanding to some degree, but this isn't just about grammar. There might also be topics or just ways you structure sentences that seem off, pretentious, or inappropriate that can be avoided if you have someone who speaks English as a first language check your essay.
This may seem like an unnecessary tip, but this isn't just a tip for grad school, this is just a tip for real life: DON'T BE A CREEP. I've been hit on during open house sessions and guess what? You get reported to the head of admissions, and your name is blacklisted. Don't make women (and people in general) uncomfortable, seriously can't believe I need to say this. This is grad school, we are grown ass adults. And don't make a Zoom call uncomfortable for everyone, we are here to get information for admissions, not to be stalked.
Good luck!
autocat
Mar 2, 21 11:09 am
Update:
GSD- OUT, expected honestly
Pratt- IN $$
IIT- IN, no word on funding yet
autocat
Mar 4, 21 6:58 pm
IIT- $$$
IhAteDaAp
Feb 1, 21 11:45 pm
B.S. Arch / U. of Cincinnati / 2021
GPA : 3.5 - GRE : waived - TOEFL : waived
Recommendation Letters : 2 from studio professors - 1 from coworker
Personal Essay/Statement : Wrote about my career goals and why i would make a good candidate
Portfolio : 7 studio academic - 1 research - 1 competition - 1 personal work
Schools : U. of Michigan - tOSU - Rice - Yale - GSD - MIT - Cornell - GSAPP - U. of Penn - Pratt
Open house impressions : Wasn't very impressed with U. of Michigan or OSU, I really liked Cornell's and GSD but didn't get to go to the other ones
Results : Not yet (keeping fingers crossed )
Tips : Take it easy and be as authentic as possible :)
IhAteDaAp
Mar 2, 21 2:58 am
U of Michigan / tOSU / Cornell / Pratt : In
IhAteDaAp
Mar 2, 21 2:58 am
Yale / GSD : out
snehalakshmi1
Feb 6, 21 11:53 pm
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
B.ARCH/ BSAU( INDIA) / 2018
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
7.59/ NA/ 107
Letter of recommendations
Dean of the Architecture Department
A professor from my Undergraduate program
UC Berkeley Summer School Instructor
Previous Employer
Personal Essay/Statement
I spent a few months writing and rewriting my essay. Focused on my values and tied my experiences to those values. Honest and straightforward.
Hi! I am a current UTSOA student in the M.Arch program and would be happy to give you any insight into our school! I graduate in May and also had a background in Architecture. Best of luck!
snehalakshmi1
Feb 23, 21 12:36 am
UPDATE : UCB rejection
odhc86
Feb 23, 21 1:37 am
Hi! Which program you applied for?
Mayalibya
Feb 13, 21 12:25 pm
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
BA Engineering
Architecture Conservation and Sustainability Structural Stream
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
GPA 3.75/4
Letter of recommendations
Two professional from government ( One is architect other conservation engineer)
Personal Essay/Statement
Portfolio
Created it recently as I have no formal background in architecture. Includes drawings/paintings, one renovation work and two building designs I worked on my own.
Schools
Carleton University
Open house impressions
Results
Awaiting..
Tips
hemantjindal
Feb 17, 21 3:38 am
This is Hemant from India
Is there any Update on AADRL, PRATT OR SCIARC applicantation anyone? And how long does ITECH take to reply to their applicants?
Thanks :)
JJCESD
Feb 20, 21 5:46 pm
what is Itech? applied to SCIARC and IITech - no info from them yet.
(Heads up, I designed it so that each page was viewed individually, and not as spreads, but ISSUU modified it to fit its own format...)
Schools MIT, Yale, Columbia, and Cornell
Open house impressions Only attended Yale's virtual open house. pretty informative, to be honest. It was my first time ever attending one.
Results Hoping for acceptance, prepared for rejection, though quite honestly not sure what to expect... :)
Tips
Portfolio: This advice is probably more suitable for people with non-arch backgrounds like myself, since that's really the only approach I'm familiar with and have experienced...
Take a few months to produce original work intended solely for the purpose of the portfolio. You can also recycle previous work, of course, but show intentionality about everything. Every work in your portfolio should contribute something towards a GREATER picture. That "greater picture," or the overarching idea, should mirror your essay. Furthermore, I believe your portfolio work is an opportunity not just to reflect what you've stated in the essay, but also to expand on the themes and ideas. Plus, it's also an opportunity to make an experience out of the overall portfolio itself. Think about the mood and tone and colors and arrangements of the portfolio. Say every art/design work is an instrument, and the portfolio itself is a composition...
essay tips: Be unafraid to answer with originality and personal experience, but be sure to stay right on topic and in direct response to the prompt.
Be concise.
I'd say start developing ideas early on, like 5 months early, and pretty much just write your ideas, and write, and keep writing. It's a wonderful experience to realize, eventually, that you'll have plenty of personal content to work with. Then, maybe 2-3 months prior to the deadline, start organizing your ideas and structuring your essay.
Definitely have someone proofread your work and provide feedback. This applies to the artwork you'll be creating for your portfolio as well. Talk about your ideas with people. Talk to people who know you well and ask them why they think you'd be a good match for the arch programs... you'll be surprised what they have to say, I'm sure.
I might regret providing "tips" if I don't get accepted, lol. Oh well. :)
Also, last thing, Feedback is definitely appreciated. I'm curious to see what people think of my work, stats, and chances.
Much love!
umarell
Feb 19, 21 10:51 am
an avid lit & cw lover here, and I love how literary (atmospheric) your portfolio looks! good luck !!!!!
also in the "Hoping for acceptance, prepared for rejection, though quite honestly not sure what to expect... :)" stage, accurate!
jerryrodriguez
Feb 19, 21 1:22 pm
Best of luck!
abrahamalzoubi
Nov 2, 21 2:06 pm
Hello,
Thank you for the amazing advice! Did you end up getting accepted into any programs?
y920
Feb 19, 21 12:29 am
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
B.A. Art, History of Art and Architecture / UCSB '20 (non-US student)
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.63 - Waived - Waived
Letter of recommendations
all profs, 2 architectural history, 1 art.
Personal Essay/Statement
Tailored to each school.
Portfolio
All studio art
projects. The two submitted to UCB and UCLA were kind of bad because I
didn't realize at the time the importance of showing process (and really
regret not including more process), the one submitted later to the
other schools were way more detailed.
Schools
UCB, UCLA, UOregon, UMichigan, GSAPP, Cornell.
Open house impressions
Unfortunately
almost all of them conflicted with my schedule, went to UCLA and
Columbia info session and watched recording of UMichigan portfolio
review.
Results
Waiting for everything besides UOregon and UCB (both in).
Tips
- Start your portfolio
early and the statements afterward, I tried to write SOP first but
couldn't even articulate why I wanted a M.Arch, but everything became
more clear after the portfolio is completed.
- Go to portfolio reviews, I was able to make revisions to my portfolio because of specific tips given in the portfolio session that aren't necessarily part of the "requirements."
y920
Feb 19, 21 12:36 am
another tip that may be obvious to other people is don't hesitate to apply to private schools (unless app fees are a burden ofc) ;v; I didn't apply to a lot of schools due to their tuition being on the higher end, but realized later than maybe they also have financial aid or scholarships.
snehalakshmi1
Feb 19, 21 12:39 am
Hey! Congrats on your admits! When did you hear back from UCB?
y920
Feb 19, 21 12:41 am
Ty! It was 2/17 but someone on another thread said their friend got it
2/16. I don't know why schools send out decisions in batches tho, does anyone know?
Bishop81
Feb 19, 21 7:13 am
Most private schools have scholarships and for some they are supported with external scholar programs run by independent support organisations.
mahnoorfaheem
Feb 19, 21 1:12 pm
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated S.B
B.ARCH/ BNU, Lahore, Pakistan/2019
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
GPA 3.3/4
Letter of recommendations
3 academic from professors.
Personal Essay/Statement
Portfolio
Includes 3 academic and 1 independent project (residence)
Schools
Georgia Tech
Virginia Tech
SCAD
U of Michigan
Results
Awaiting.
Got an email from Virginia Tech today saying the school wants to recommend me for admission, asking for TOEFL scores. no mention of aid. what does that mean for my chances there?
ellasuskind
Feb 21, 21 4:55 pm
The chances of getting admitted are quite big. I got the offer from VT
last year with a 3.05 GPA, but strong recommendation letters.
mahnoorfaheem
Mar 16, 21 9:10 pm
Did you go to VT? I
am currently trying to decide between Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.
ellasuskind
Feb 21, 21 4:50 pm
graduate student reapply.
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
GPA 3.4/4
Letter of recommendations
2 academic from professors. 1 from the previous intern employer.
Personal Essay/Statement
Portfolio
I was working on my portfolio for two yrs. tried my best,
Schools
GSD, Yale, MIT, Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, & Pratt institute
Results
Awaiting.
ellasuskind
Feb 21, 21 5:08 pm
the reason for me reapplying is that I found out the location of the program matters a lot. It decides the start point of a future career as well as the network quality. I applied to 15 universities and got offers from 12 of them including VT, Sci-arc, RISD, Pratt, Georgia, etc. As a result, I tried to reach out to something sharper and city-centered this year. I absolutely do not think it a waste of time and energy doing the application again. Finger cross for everyone, the waiting time is so long this year----- compared to my offer rain last year overall.
dd_x
Feb 21, 21 7:17 pm
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
BS Architecture
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.5 / waived / n/a
Letter of recommendations
Two professors/ former employers and a mentor. All principals at their firms and some attended some of the schools I applied to.
Personal Essay/Statement
All essays were quite personal, it varied based on prompts and word-counts but basically talked about the questions that led me to architecture, the way I design, and what I aspire to do while in grad school.
Portfolio
4 of my undergrad projects and four short personal/professional projects
Schools
MIT, GSD, Cornell, Princeton, GSAPP, Yale
Open house impressions
I did attend most if not all info sessions, open houses, and lectures from each school, in some cases even reaching out to professors that research and work align with mine.
Results
MIT Accepted $$$
Awaiting for the rest
Tips
Start early and take it slow, I started working on my application during the summer and still submitted most applications a couple of minutes before the deadline. This will mainly give you plenty of time, not saying it is supposed to consume your week, but it will help adjust your essay/portfolio and get feedback from peers or professors. I went back and forth between the portfolio and essay, as I felt it should communicate the same idea. Also, don’t feel like you need to add every project you have ever done to your portfolio; I only added projects that felt represented me the most, how I think and what I believe is important. Still, I don’t know if that will help me get in; take it with a grain of salt and just be true to yourself.
natematt
Feb 23, 21 3:03 am
Is $$$ scaled to MIT, or just general?
KingGizzard
Feb 23, 21 9:30 am
I think that means 75% scholarship
KingsMake
Jan 3, 22 11:12 pm
Would you be willing to share your portfolio? Congrats
lsanielbanrey
Feb 23, 21 9:23 am
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
BS Arch - Ohio State - Graduated 2019
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.6/4.0 - 159/159/4 - n/a
Letter of recommendations
2 professors, 1 principal at my firm. I went for people who knew me really well, reached out early, sought legitimate advice from them. I was less concerned about their connections.
tip for future applicants: bring a draft of your portfolio to the professors/mentors/employers from whom you are seeking a letter of rec. Include a project in which they were professor in your portfolio. Ask early, as some may limit the number of recs they right to the highest ranked schools / their alma mater. Make the process easy for them as they are probably writing multiple letters. No need to be anxious in asking for a rec - they do this every year : )
Personal Essay/Statement
I framed a single significant architectural experience for almost all schools and applied it in different ways. Most schools have unique prompts, but I wrote to that which felt most innate to my individuality as an applicant instead of following the prompt to a tee. I did not spend as much time here as I would have hoped : /
Portfolio
I chose projects as to display a narrative of my thought process as a designer and my value system as a person. For schools in which professors sat on my crits during undergrad, I made sure to include the project which they had critiqued.
I paid extra attention to creating a cohesive and sharp layout. I probably overlooked at other portfolios to the point of comparison anxiety, but it was helpful in getting a sense of what schools had admitted in years past. I also looked at the portfolios of former classmates who had gotten into the schools I was looking at as another benchmark (surprise, we are judged against our classmates each application cycle).
I have worked for two years - I did not include specific project work but I did graphically display an initiative I started at my firm.
tip for future applicants: don't get bogged down comparing yourself to everyone else's portfolios. Do what you do best and let your individuality shine.
Schools
OSU, GSD, Yale, U of Michigan, Penn, MIT
Open house impressions
Didn't get to any open houses but tried to talk to current students / recent graduates of each program.
Results
OSU $$$
Awaiting the rest as of 2/23
Tips
Stay off this forum as much as possible? we all only know so much lol
for future applicants: cultivate real relationships with your professors, reach out to alums of your school who took trajectories you are interested in, look at schools where you would like to live or be intent on figuring out their sphere of influence outside of the city in which the school resides. Consider working between undergrad and grad school (at large and small firms if possible). I feel like I have learned a ton and have refined what I want out of my career.
lsanielbanrey
Feb 23, 21 9:27 am
write, not right ** oof
lsanielbanrey
Mar 2, 21 10:45 am
update 3/2: waitlisted Yale, in at GSD with $$, in at U of M with $
KingsMake
Jan 3, 22 11:13 pm
Hey congrats, Would you be willing to share your portfolio?
pomegranate_purgatory
Feb 23, 21 11:06 am
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated Hon. BA Art History and Urban Studies, University of Toronto, 2018
GPA - GRE - TOEFL 3.86/4.0
Letter of recommendations
All academic, 2 from undergrad and 1 from an architecture studio program I attended after graduating
Personal Essay/Statement
I mostly discussed my interest in architectural preservation, sustainability, and urban design, and how my educational background fits with architecture.
Portfolio
I included 5 projects total, and tried to showcase a range of mediums (many rough process drawings, writing, photography, and making things out of household materials), varying scales (handheld to neighborhood), and durations (weeks to a day). Looking back, I can see that most of my projects have a historical and urban design/planning focus, so curating a theme that relates to your interests and statement may be helpful. It was my first time ever working with InDesign, so I kept it super simple and worked with spreads. 2 of my references were the professors for my projects.
Schools
Carleton, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, Calgary (all M.Arch 1, 3-year programs)
Open house impressions
Calgary had a super informative Zoom open house and gave specific portfolio tips - there was the option to schedule a critique before the application deadline.
UBC gave a lot of portfolio specifics (like ideas for fonts, sizes) and had two current M.Arch students overview their experiences and work. Really great!
UofT had multiple Zoom open houses (per program and also for portfolio) - their curriculum overview and research studios were the most interesting to me.
Did not see that Carleton had an open house, or else I would have attended - I know the least about Carleton’s program. If anyone has any experience with Carleton to share I would appreciate it!
Results
Awaiting as of 2/23
Tips
I spent the most time editing, editing, editing my Statement and Portfolio blurbs/captions. Tie together your Statement and Portfolio if you can - what themes are similar between the two? Reference a project or two in your Statement. If I had more time and extra wordspace I would have discussed more specific thesis research interests or longterm goals - finding the balance between past, present, and future-oriented can be tough. Always question your portfolio layout - look at each page separately AND together.
Excited and nervous for results!
Non Sequitur
Feb 23, 21 11:15 am
UofT as a last resort or if it's free. UBC and Carleton are decent (and I know nothing about Calgary), but either of which produces better M.arch grads.
jb
Feb 27, 21 6:24 pm
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
BA ECON - Arch Studies Minor - UT AUSTIN 2020
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.6 - DIDNT TAKE - DIDNT TAKE
Letter of recommendations
2 Arch Professors 1 Printmaking Professor
Personal Essay/Statement
I used my personal essays to state what my interests are in Architecture, and what I want out of my M Arch degree. I used this area to talk about specific resources/faculty/classes that would help me achieve my career and academic goals.
Portfolio
Definitely the hardest part for me, but I had a good amount of work from my undergrad that reflected my interests and academic goals.
Schools
RISD
UT
SCI-ARC
U of Michigan
Columbia
Open house impressions
Haven't gone to any. Most of my impressions of each school were from talking to former faculty/alumn
Results
UT - IN
RISD - IN $$$$
Still awaiting rest
Tips
Start early! Of all the years to apply, I felt like this was the least stressful. The GRE waiver that most schools had allowed me to focus more on my portfolio and personal essay rather than waste months stressing over the GRE.
jchid711
Feb 28, 21 9:22 pm
hey congrats! I wanted to know if you applied to RISD early or anything because I applied to their M-ARCH 2 program and have not heard anything yet.
odhc86
Feb 28, 21 10:38 pm
Me either! I'm nervous lol
jb
Mar 1, 21 1:59 am
Hey! I'm MArch I and they gave me a phone call. I haven't received any official email or anything yet though. I believe they let me know slightly ahead of time because they offered me money. If I were to guess, you should be hearing back in the next few weeks! Good luck :)
JJCESD
Mar 1, 21 9:57 am
jb- congrats! same here. no idea on $ though.
jb
Mar 1, 21 6:44 pm
@JJCESD Gratz!
jb
Mar 1, 21 6:45 pm
@odhc86 @jchid711 just received my official email today. hoping you all received something today!
jchid711
Mar 1, 21 9:11 pm
I got waitlisted, which is amazing for me coming from a small practical not know architecture school, so I'm proud of myself. thanks for the help!
itriedmybest
Mar 1, 21 12:04 am
Didn't get into Yale and I am kind of disappointed, High GPA, great work on the portfolios and Essays... I also saw people with 3.3 GPAs get in through Grad Cafe ( not that it's by no means a measure of how wonderful an applicant is but I am chocked). I have been seeing people receive calls from GSD and MIT that are also dream schools and I am kind of devastated ... I don't know if I should email the admissions of the schools I haven't heard back from or if anyone knows the exact date when we hear back from the following schools :
GSD - GSAPP - MIT - Cornell - Pratt ?
Thank you and Congratulations to everyone on their admissions !
Moxuanzi Xu
Mar 1, 21 3:38 am
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
BFA Interior Design - Pratt - 2020
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.5 - DIDNT TAKE - DIDNT TAKE
Letter of recommendations
1 Studio Professor, 1 Thesis Professor (also teaches at GSAPP), 1 current employer
Personal Essay/Statement
Talked about how my personal upbring lead me to design, and how I am ready to move from interior design to architecture. Stated what interests me in Architecture and what aspect of architecture I want to focus on in the future.
Portfolio
Mostly undergrad projects, and included two small hospitality projects from work.
Schools
Yale
Columbia
Pratt
Open house impressions
Haven't gone to any.
Results
Yale - OUT
Still awaiting rest AND NOT EXPECTING MUCH :(
Henlee
Mar 1, 21 9:06 am
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
BA in Architecture Class of 2021
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.79 - GRE: 163 Math, 164 Verbal, 6 Essay (Submitted this to Yale since they said they would include it and did this over the summer before all the rest got rid of this exam :( - didn't need TOEFL
Letter of recommendations
3-5 depending on the school
2 were my studio proffs
1 from the dean of my program
1 from my thesis advisor
1 from an employer from my internship
Personal Essay/Statement
Depending on the school it changed but I wrote about my response to COVID-19 and how it impacts my design values/goals and also how I see the future of architecture changing due to the pandemic. I also talked about in certain schools my interest on the "Smart City" ideology and the affects of modern technology/social media on our experience of architecture/space in general (how it takes away from us being present and how we can better respond to our new digital lifestyles). Also spoke on some professors that really stood out to me in each program and clubs that I was interested in getting involved.
Portfolio
7 Total Projects - mainly studio projects - many of my projects centered on human centric design I'd say. I also had a more design related project included in there that was more fine arts (experimental)
Schools
Yale, GSD, MIT, Columbia, Princeton, Penn - Applying for M Arch I Programs
Open house impressions
Went to several virtual open houses, but tbh the online ones just aren't great at showing you what these schools are really like. Luckily I was able to visit both Yale and GSD's open house back in 2019 (I was curious early on about these programs). I've always liked GSD given its interdisciplinary range from the other departments like planning within the school as well as the overall projects I saw (especially the options studio ones) really impressed me. I found Yale's openhouse also really great, I think the program to me seems like almost "pure architecture" in a sense, where if you're in the program, you will really hone your skills/knowledge about design and architecture (rather than receive perhaps a more interdisciplinary education at Harvard). This was just my personal impression back in 2019.
Results
In at Yale! - Very grateful and incredibly surprised...did not think my work would be what Yale liked...
Waiting on the others
Tips
START UR PORTFOLIO EARLY!!!!! I started in November and it stressed me out so much on top of trying to survive school and everything else.
KingsMake
Jan 3, 22 11:14 pm
Hey any link to your portfolio?
BuSe7en
Mar 1, 21 6:34 pm
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
BS in architecture/ University of Minnesota/ 2020
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.1- 150,161,3.5- Waive
Letter of recommendations
Three studio instructors. No special.
Personal Essay/Statement
I basically talked about my whole life from now. Why architecture and what is my goal.
Portfolio
Three studio projects + two self-art installations.
Schools
Columbia, Upenn, USC, Syracuse, Umich, Wustl, UMN
Open house impressions
NA
Results
UMN- In
WUSTL- In
Tips
I would say start earlier than what you planned.
yg3.9.0.9.8
Mar 2, 21 12:43 am
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
Bachelor of Design, major in Architecture/ University of Melbourne/ 2020
GPA: 3.2GRE: N/A TOEFL:WAIVED
Letter of recommendations
3 from studio leaders
Personal Essay/Statement
PS: I mainly talked about my interests in design and architecture since high school, and some conceptual art and philosophy stuff, also a bit why I shifted from installation and photography to architecture.
Portfolio
Two projects from undergraduate studios, and two from workshops/summer schools. I had my tutors graduated from GSD and UCLA as reviewers and received some pretty good feedbacks.
Schools
UCB, UCLA, GSD, Columbia, Rice, Princeton, Yale (I know this is a bit ambitious and risky, but whatever I got Melbourne as the safe one)
Open house impressions
I didn't get the chance to view the virtual one due to the time difference, but luckily I viewed the Yale one and it really got me.
Results
UCB - OUT
GSD - OUT
YALE - OUT
Tips
Don't have any yet, and you better start earlier tho.
IhAteDaAp
Mar 2, 21 2:59 am
has anyone heard from MIT since the last time people posted about it ?
Ohlordy
Mar 2, 21 5:39 pm
Just putting my information out there so I can see who is going where and start conversations :)
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
Bachelors in Interior Design / University of Louisiana at Lafayette / 2019
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.2 / Waived / Didn't Need
Letter of recommendations
2 Professors from Undergraduate & 1 Boss/Mentor from Dance Job
I only attended WashU and UIC and I wasn't overly impressed with either but also wasn't super focused during it.
Results
Yale & Cornell - Out (heartbroken but makes sense)
WashU & Pratt - In
RISD - Waitlist
Syracuse & UIC - Awaiting
Give me your thoughts about the programs I've listed please! I want opinions on programs so I choose the best one possible :)
I knew going into this process that my disadvantages were my gpa was incredibly low because of my awful experience in undergrad, I didn't want to spend money on the GRE so I don't have any scores to set me a part from everyone else, and I didn't have any work experience in the field on my resume. But it is what it is!
chen233
Mar 3, 21 8:04 pm
Reposting here:
Undergraduate Degree/School/Country/ Year Graduated
Environmental Design, UBC SALA/Canada/2019
Program Applying for with Path/Track
MLA, M.Des and M.Arch
GPA - GRE - TOEFL/Duolingo/IELTS
83/100 - Waived - Waived
Letter of Recommendations
3 from previous professors, 2 from current employer (1 principal, 1 supervisor)
Personal Essay/Statement of Purpose
Tailored each essay to the school I'm applying for, wrote about my observations and understanding of landscape architecture/architecture through the lens of a queer person & the questions that I started to ask myself while practicing in a landscape office. Wrote about specific interests for each school (including faculty members, course offered, etc)
Portfolio
2 undergraduate studio projects, 1 group installation, 1 duo exhibition (online), 1 group competition, 1 personal project, and 1 duo competition
Schools
UCB - MLA II
GSD - MLA I
GSD - MDes
Princeton - MArch I
MIT - MArch I
Open house Impressions:
Didn't attend most of them due to conflict with schedule
Results
UCB - waiting
GSD - Waitlisted for MLA I, rejected for M.Des
Princeton - waiting
MIT - Accepted with $$$
Tips/Suggestions
- Dedicate a certain amount of time each day (doesn't have to be a lot of time) to work on it and start early! Many people have reiterated on this but I can't stress enough the importance of starting early - you'll be surprised how much you can do if start early and just chip the application away each day.
- Ask for references at least 12 weeks prior to your deadlines. Most of my references didn't get to the letters until the deadline even with very early notice. Make it easy for them to write & submit your letters - share some of your previous work in their class if they were your profs, or share your draft CV/portfolio. Take the initiative to show them that this is important for you, but don't rush them for any comments/feedbacks.
- Don't be afraid to show projects outside of the realm of spatial design - any high-quality work that speaks for your ideas and who you are would help.
- Revisit your statements after you write them again and again! I didn't get to rewrite my personal statement and had to submit them right before deadlines because of full-time work. After submitting, I re-read my essays and genuinely hoped that I could have more time to refine them. Start planning the essays and the portfolio at the same time so that they can inform each other naturally.
IhAteDaAp
Mar 3, 21 11:06 pm
when did you hear back from MIT ?
chen233
Mar 4, 21 12:47 pm
I got an unofficial email and phone call on Feb 22.
kop1234
Mar 5, 21 5:54 pm
Hi, have you gotten an official acceptance yet from MIT
chen233
Mar 5, 21 6:09 pm
No not yet. I still haven't received any official packages from them.
KingsMake
Jan 3, 22 11:16 pm
Hey! Congrats! Do you have any link to your portfolio?
kop1234
Mar 3, 21 9:21 pm
Worried about MIT, does anyone have any information?
nnon1234
Mar 10, 21 8:04 pm
Does MIT usually send out acceptances in phases? Or should we expect them to send out acceptances, then waitlists and rejections all at once?
bogoai
Mar 4, 21 12:52 pm
Here's mine
Undergraduate Degree/School/Country/ Year Graduated
B.S. Architecture, Virginia /2020
Program Applying for with Path/Track
MLA, and M.Arch
GPA - GRE - TOEFL/Duolingo/IELTS
3.58 - Waived - Waived
Letter of Recommendations
2 from previous professors, 1 from employer
Personal Essay/Statement of Purpose
I don't think there was anything special. I just answered the questions.
Portfolio
3 undergraduate studio projects, extra images of my physical models, 1 professional group project.
Undergraduate Degree/School/Country/ Year Graduated
B.Arch, JJ College of Architecture/India-2019
Program Applying for with Path/Track
MLAUD/ MAUD/ MCP
GPA - GRE - TOEFL/Duolingo/IELTS
7.63/10
waived
110
Letter of Recommendations
2 from previous professors (1 of them was thesis advisor +practioner), 1 from employer (urban planning)
Personal Essay/Statement of Purpose
Tailored to each course
Portfolio
1 Graduation Thesis
2 Noteworthy Competitions,
1 Urban Design Studio
1 Arch Design
2 pages for Arch Photography
Schools
Weitzman - MCP
GSD - MAUD
GSAPP - MUD
Pratt-GAUD
TU Delft: MSC (Urbanism)
NUS: MLA, MUP
KTH: Sustainable Urbanism
Results
Weitzman - Awaiting (11 March)
GSD - Waitlist
GSAPP - Awaiting
Pratt- In with $$$
NUS: MLA interview done, awaiting response
KTH: Awaiting (9 April)
awaiting others.
I have no clue what this date notification means. I am half stuck feeling anxious, hoping it's not a rejection. Only because Weitzman's research and curriculum best align with my interests, followed by GSAPP.
Anyone here going to Pratt? Would love to connect and learn more.
Tips/Suggestions
Will do this part later.
jchid711
Mar 5, 21 6:44 pm
heyy I got into pratt, not too sure about going there because of how expensive it is, how do you feel about the school and which way are you going towards?
autocat
Mar 9, 21 3:39 pm
Hey got into Pratt, still waiting on Columbia though not hopeful. Would love to connect and see what you think about the school, feel free to DM me!
SpaceSyntax_fse
Mar 11, 21 2:36 am
Hey jchid711, I am finding the course expensive as well. Hence awaiting on some other options. I love the influence if mixed media on the course, and the program seems intensive too.
SpaceSyntax_fse
Mar 11, 21 2:37 am
However I’m looking forward to
SpaceSyntax_fse
Mar 11, 21 2:37 am
However I’m looking forward to exploring other options keenly. Keeping Pratt as a backup. Let me know if you will be attending the student meet, this March end. Perhaps can connect via mail.
nalbers
Mar 4, 21 2:30 pm
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
BA Architectural Studies -- Middlebury College 2020
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.61 GPA -- 164/168/4.5 GRE
Letter of recommendations
Two architecture professors, boss at interior design internship
Personal Essay/Statement
Why I'm interested in architecture, significant experiences, goals for graduate school, specific reasons for each program
3 school architecture projects, 2 graphic design projects, various art
Schools
Berkeley, Yale, Pratt, WashU, UT Austin, UCLA (all M.Arch I)
Open house impressions
Did not attend
Results
Berkeley, Yale -- Out
Pratt, WashU, UT Austin -- In
UCLA -- awaiting
jchid711
Mar 5, 21 6:43 pm
Hey congrats! I got into Pratt too, how do u feel about the school and which way are you leaning too.
nalbers
Mar 6, 21 12:16 am
Thanks! It seems like a great school, however I'm a bit hesitant about its reputation for focusing on theory/form-based architecture. Also quite a bit more expensive than UT Austin, so I'm probably leaning that way. What are your thoughts?
brand0nlim
Mar 4, 21 3:19 pm
Has anyone else received an acceptance to Yale from Sunil Bald, but not the aforementioned financial aid details?
3 for most schools – advisor, dean of school, program chair.
1 additional for Harvard and Columbia – Former internship boss who is a big deal in the industry. For some reason I thought Yale is a really easy school to get into (not true btw…) so omitted Yale.
Personal Essay/Statement
Pretty straightforward stuff – just whatever the prompt asked for, really. For the Less is More I did a bit of homework and talked about the office tower typology briefly – which was the GSD’s Core III studio prompt this year, which I learned from friends in that studio.
Did a lot of reconnaissance / research / stalking before I wrote so I could really talk about the things that interest each of the schools (or so I thought).
Had a friend who works for Goldman to proofread my resume and essays – got shredded into bits the first couple of rounds but it did markedly improve my stuff, so thankful for that.
Portfolio
I would caution people against linking their full portfolio here unprotected –there has been some plagiarism scandals on Zhihu involving an extensively plagiarized (we are talking like, straight up Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V) portfolio that got admitted into Yale. Also just bad opsec to leave your personal information out in the open like that.
All undergraduate projects, every single bit of material is independent work. Mostly drawings and models, some renderings sprinkled in – especially for the projects done during COVID when I had no access to the studio space. One project that is not a building, and one spread that is just one standalone drawing. Lots of freehand drawing but I would say be very judicious and honest about the quality of your own drawings – if they’re not actually fantastic then consider omission.
I had very little filler content – an issue I see here with a lot of portfolios is there are just pages after pages of material but very little content. Like nobody wants to see 5 spreads of almost identical diagrams / maps / repetitive floor plans. If it does not clearly advance your design process / intention and is not eye-candy (think big, sexy models, drawings, etc.) then cut it out. Also paid attention to rhythm – I tried real hard to fill it with content without make each page too full and lose the sense of hierarchy.
I started with the 12”x18”, 30 page standard of the GSD and worked from there, which proved to be a good decision.
The total amount of time spent is about 3 to 4 weeks – so probably 500-600 man-hours not including other materials. Also spent wayyy too much time digging up images from old hard drives.
Schools
All M.Arch I or equivalents. Applied for AP when applicable.
GSD, GSAPP, Yale, Princeton, my Alma Mater.
Open house impressions
Only went to (Zoomed into, more like) the GSD one which was actually quite impressive. I really loved the amount of diversity in thought floating between the faculty and students, and just the general sense of vigor of the people.
Results
IN – GSD w/ AP. Leaning towards this heavily...
IN – Yale
IN – Alma Mater w/ AP
?? – GSAPP
?? – Princeton
Tips
I hope someone is reading this stuff since I’m putting in some real effort writing these, hahaha
1. SHOOT FOR THE MOON
If you can either spare that $100 (not a small sum, I understand) or get a waiver (actually not that uncommon) then you should definitely try for the seemingly unattainable dream school - you might just get in, and they might just throw down wads of cash at ya. You never know.
2. START EARLY
Like, the-summer-before early. The portfolio and essays takes so dog-damned long and it would absolutely suck if you have to do the applications alongside your finals, which unfortunately often coincide nicely with the deadlines. I ended up in this situation and boy, that was not a good time.
3. Send your referers your portfolio, even in draft form
Seems to be common sense but for some reason apparently some people don't do this automatically? Draft form is totally fine - you will also get some feedback on your work-in-progress which can only benefit the product.
4. Don't look too hard at Issuu when working on your own stuff
Unless you just want to be depressed. Go your own way!
5. Just ask the admissions office
...if you have a question about the process. Avoid the "but do you think I have a shot" tho, obviously. It's their job so don't hesitate - they won't hold it against you. Be nice.
6. Be yourself
This has came up in the previous comments but I just want to stress this again. No amount of refinement, skill, and craft can replace genuity (well maybe that's not entirely true but you get the gist). You will discover who you are as a designer as you put together your portfolio and revisit your previous works, so don't be afraid to express it thoroughly. I didn't believe this when I was told this early on in the process but I see it now.
Anyways, best of luck to current and future applicants. Hope y'all succeed in your pursuits. Now onto looking for cheap apartments in Cambridge...
baboo.fei
Mar 5, 21 3:26 pm
IN - Princeton (just noticed the print portfolio I sent is actually kinda low-res because of a mistake in exporting the file... yikes)
Keyhan Khaki
Mar 8, 21 10:50 am
@baboo.fei congrats big time. I just got rejected from GSD and Princeton for the second time and genuinely don't know why. would be possible if I send you my stuff and you give me some comments? I have no idea what to do anymore and very much appreciate the opinion of an expert...
baboo.fei
Mar 8, 21 11:06 am
Ya ofc, hit me up. Sorry to hear - I'm sure you will get it on the next try!
nnon1234
Mar 10, 21 7:56 pm
Can I also see what your portfolio looked like? Also congratulations!
lucxl.
Aug 24, 21 7:33 am
sincere advice - thank you!
bhumikayadav
Mar 9, 21 12:16 pm
Does anyone here applied in KU LEUVEN for Master of Science in Conservation of Monuments and Sites????
SAEK
Mar 9, 21 1:32 pm
Anyone hear back yet from Rice?
Luques
Mar 9, 21 6:23 pm
Yes, I received an update on my portal, no email - MArch option 1 accepted with $$.
Spritzerrrr
Mar 10, 21 10:42 pm
has anyone heard back from Columbia M-Arch ??
Dokuser
Mar 10, 21 10:48 pm
not yet :( pretty sure Columbia has a later release date...
autocat
Mar 10, 21 10:49 pm
Nope, I heard we may hear back the end of this week?
flyingbutt23
Mar 13, 21 4:19 am
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
BA Architecture -- UVA
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.5 GPA -- Not Taken - Not Taken
Letter of recommendations
Three architecture professors, two studio
Personal Essay/Statement
My background and undergrad and why I'm interested in the university and architecture
Portfolio
4 school architecture projects, 1 Work Experience Project
Schools
Yale, GSAPP, PENN (all M.Arch I)
Open house impressions
Did not attend
Results
Yale -- Out
UPENN -- In
Columbia -- awaiting
Anyone have an idea of when GSAPP will be releasing their decisions?
Dokuser
Mar 13, 21 3:04 pm
heard the 17th
tt27
Mar 13, 21 3:07 pm
Accepted at Carnegie Mellon for M AAS and M.arch2 with advance standing. Waitlisted at Sci-Arc.
Any opinions on what I should do? Should I wait for Sci-Arc. ..Also how’s is CMU’s architecture program. What will be the job prospects for an international students after studying from CMU.
cc20
Mar 15, 21 8:15 pm
BFA, GPA: 3.3,
In - Pratt $$, SAIC, USC
Out - Yale, GSD, UCB
Waitlist - RISD
Any thoughts on which school should I attend for M.Arch 1? （Leaning towards USC)
Macarena.Delapiedra
Mar 16, 21 9:46 am
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
B.Arch (5 yr program) - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Pretty sure I'm committing to UPenn. If any of you are thinking about going there I would love to get to know you before the start of classes! :)
Macarena.Delapiedra
Mar 22, 21 1:43 pm
UPdate:
In at GSAPP
nat.silva
Mar 16, 21 1:42 pm
Hey everyone!
I created an Interior Architecture / Interior Design graduates study forum, if this feels too crowded for finding information on those specific topics.
Dual Degrees: B.S. Physics, minor: math | B.A. Russian, minor: public admin / Florida State University / 2019
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.4 - Waived - Waived
Letter of recommendations
3 letters; one from a physics professor, one from a Russian professor, one from former boss at a national lab.
Personal Essay/Statement
Really leaned into my journey through education and emphasized my interest in remaining in academia/becoming a professor. I also made sure to connect all of my undergraduate experiences to my current career ambitions. Talked mostly about my involvement in education and how I want to use architecture to improve education (mainly the design of learning environments, classrooms, and laboratories). Expounded on what I want to research, write, critique, and design (ancient and indigenous architecture and learning environments).
I should note that since I have graduated I have been working as an adjunct at a technical college teaching physics and I had teaching experience prior to my current job.
Portfolio
Carried the theme of education into my portfolio. I had two original designs intended for K-12 education. One was a furniture design and the other was a learning environment. The visual renderings aren't great or advanced but I made sure to express the problem, my proposed solution, and the benefits in written form. I then included 2 writing samples analyzing the cultural significance of architecture in ancient and indigenous cultures. Decided to do this since I am more interested in the history, theory, and analysis of design within academia more than the practice. Lastly, I included original architectural photographs of St. Petersburg, Russia.
Schools
Clemson, Georgia Tech, MIT
Open house impressions
N/A
Results
Clemson - In (offered assistantship)
The rest awaiting
Tips
I would say: start early, create first - ask for opinions later, & stick to what you know. Really let your own voice, perspective, and experiences shine through. But then again, what do I know lol
chel091
Mar 17, 21 9:50 am
Georgia Tech - In
bp0425
Mar 17, 21 8:29 pm
hey! anyone willing to join the reoccurring discussion of YSOA vs GSD please share your thoughts here https://archinect.com/forum/th...
miabarre_
Mar 17, 21 8:50 pm
Has anyone heard back from any UK schools? I am waiting on UCL Bartlett (received a request for portfolio last week) and AA. Is it common from them to reach out to everyone for interviews first?
Gaidamack
Mar 18, 21 2:57 am
I got my offer for Emtech at the AA two days ago, and the Bartlett will send out decision by next week.
cc20
Mar 18, 21 12:36 pm
Is anyone still waiting for MArch 1 UCLA and GSAPP??
autocat
Mar 18, 21 12:43 pm
I am for GSAPP,
feeling like it’s going to be a rejection at this point :/
broccoliii
Mar 18, 21 10:09 pm
Yeah it's prob a rejection from GSAPP at this point, as I heard couple ppl got accepted yesterday :/
L.Stone
Mar 19, 21 9:44 am
Yep, still waiting to hear from UCLA.
Interloper25
Mar 19, 21 11:10 am
Still waiting for GSAPP , convinced that it's a rejection. So devastated.
aditiarali
Mar 30, 21 3:17 am
Got accepted at UCLA, haven't heard from GSAPP, maybe we could be waitlisted?
broccoliii
Mar 30, 21 11:47 am
I think GSAPP already sent out waitlist notification few days ago
d.kk
Mar 19, 21 4:24 am
M.Arch 1 at USC vs. SCI-Arc? I am extremely confused and it sucks that I am not able to visit both schools. What are your opinions on their programs and job prospects?
L.Stone
Mar 19, 21 9:44 am
Did you do the 360 video walk-through video that SCI-Arc sent out? It was a good virtual visit.
Hey everyone,
Found this thread super helpful last year so figured I'd revive it for this round of applications. Feel free to share and we'll get through this (exceptionally) stressful time together.
I heard this year is going to be the most competitive year in history because of all the deferrals. So Good luck to all!
can you expand on this comment - from whom did you hear this? is this in reference to a particular school? are you saying that applicants who were accepted last year deferred starting their Masters programs to this year so there will be fewer seats for this year's applicant pool? I was under the impression that (some? many?) schools did not allow deferrals.
OP posted the same comment in another thread exactly like this. Probably just trolling/intimidating/stressing applicants. There were definitely deferrals in the previous cycle, but that doesn't guarantee that they're re-applying again for this coming cycle and/or get automatically accepted. No one is even assured yet if schools next year will be back in campus or still be remote/virtual.
You probably just don't want to accept the fact. Here are some data from Harvard's EA to give you some insights on this application season "Havard College today accepted 747 students to the Class of 2025 from a pool of 10,086 who applied under the early action program. Those students will join 349 others who deferred admission to the Class of 2025 this past summer. Last year, 895 students were selected from the 6,424 who applied." And I think you have some misunderstandings about the word defer
I mean not everyone here only applies to Harvard, some people just want to apply to an M.arch program that suits their interest, you know... But well if you are talking about Harvard, it is competitive regardless.
I don't know about all the school but some (GSAPP, Yale, GSD, Princeton, Cornell) did mentioned on their open house events that they didn't allow people to defer the past cycle. Regardless, I do agree with archi_gram that this will be a more
competitive circle.
That's Harvard COLLEGE, not even the GSD which does not have the same student intake/population in terms of age, experience, etc. (nor any graduate school or school of architecture/design/etc. that the people in this thread are applying to). That is a totally different demographic and the statistics of that sample doesn't automatically equate nor translate with the other institutions. The issue here is that you seem to be spreading this comment of yours across the application status t hreads with no basis (as Luques is asking you). Generally speaking, by default, Harvard as a whole has always been competitive, but so are the other Ivies, UCLA, UC Berkeley, etc. Do you have the figures of these institutions (and the others) that also prove that this cycle will forecast a more competitive selection/even lower admissions rate than ever before (specifically for graduate school)?
Maybe what OP meant by "competitive" is that there's a broader pool of applicants this year because the application process and requirements were more lenient? Thus setting a higher bar in the selection criteria for admissions. Possibly what used to be the hierarchy of requirements (portfolio, essay, recommendations, GPAs) will now share equal value, making it more challenging to craft each requirement equally as important and as provoking as the other. There's great talent out there that don't get to apply to their dream schools, or the big schools, due to restraints in even complying with what is asked during application, so this cycle gives them that opportunity. Let's face it, certain admitted students, even while having a stellar portfolio, essay, recommendation, and grades to get admitted into their choice of programs, have the extra advantage of accessibility and privilege that some, if not many, equal to their talent don't. So with a few extra doors opened for this cycle making it possible to apply without hesitations, there's definitely a higher level of competency that this cycle of applicants are setting.
@Luques I got in GSAPP last year. Defers are only barred after July. There were about 1/4 of the class deferred to this year as they made their decisions early before policies changed. One classmate said we were really desperate last year and accepted 200 waitlist. Not sure if true. I know there were less defers at Cornell because they resumed in person. But It wasn't pretty at all at other ivies and MIT because of online. I was in the sciarc email ring. The tension was there in the last few months before school starts because many people can't decide if they want to apply again.
the issue with this year's admissions has less to do with deferrals than leaves of absence. though schools were generally stingy with deferrals for 2020-2021, they allowed for many returning students to take a semester (or year) away from their programs.
as many of those students are expected to return in fall 2021, there will be reduced studio space for the newly admitted incoming class, so the admissions process will necessarily be more competitive.
schools only stop allowing deferrals after too many people doing that. Either way, reapplying this year still stresses the already fierce competition.
you have no idea what you're talking about. many of the top graduate architecture programs do not ever allow deferrals.
As an international student, I can tell you based on my own experience associated with a top-ranking university and stories from my current classmates at a study away program in China who are from all different other top universities in the US, that schools have dramatic adaptations on defers and gap year goers over the past year in light of the US embassy shut down globally. It might be unprecedented, but Covid changed everything. Schools provide options for international students because it's not fair for us too. Again, I studied away and took online courses, but I told you what I saw in groups chats and what I heard from people
I'll start:
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Class of 2020
GPA: 3.31
Letters: Two past studio professors and current boss (founding principal architect)
Portfolio: https://issuu.com/andrewjerryf...
Schools:
Architectural Association (early application)
UCLA
UC Berkeley
Washington University in St. Louis
UPenn
Columbia
GSD
University of Hong Kong
Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts
Open House Impressions: None in-person. Most attracted to the AA for its mix of computational experimentation (AADRL) and prioritization of realistic architectural prompts in its studios' assignments. Columbia and AA have very impressive shops/resources for fabrication.
Results: Awaiting decisions from all (as of 12/29/20)
Tips:
Portfolio - "Finish" your portfolio weeks before the first deadline. While many of the applications have roughly equivalent requirements for the portfolio, slight differences (such as page length, file size, spreads vs, no spreads and whether a spread counts as a single page, credits to collaborators and professors, etc.) will become time-consuming to adjust.
Personal Essay - Like the portfolio requirements, the prompts and word-counts for this submission often vary slightly from school to school. Give yourself plenty of time to make adjustments to accommodate these differences. Like any writing assignment, my final products came by writing and revising a number of drafts. Space out working on these between days/sleep levels/moods. What felt like a brilliant sentence might be completely different to you three days later. Send for proofing to people whose writing and intellects you trust/respect (in and out of architecture) for proofing.
Letters of Recommendation - Send the requests to each referee as early as possible. I would recommend jumping straight to this page on each application and then returning to fill in the rest. Give your references as much time as possible to complete the submissions.
General - Applying to Graduate School is a serious time commitment, and the entire process has required consistent work since early October (for me). Start earlier than you think you need to. Start earlier than you think you need to. Start earlier than you think you need to.
Good luck to all!
If you're interested in fabrication you should check out the University of Michigan.
Good luck!
Portfolio link doesn't seem to be valid anymore but looked great when I flipped through a couple days ago, and couldn't agree more re: most of your tips.
We're applying to many of the same places, so good luck!
Edit: Invited for a Zoom interview at the Architectural Association
B.S. Arch / University of Cincinnati / 2018
3.5 / N/A
One former professor, two current supervisors (design principals with corporate firm)
Took a more personal approach in describing a unique upbringing and the ways in which that background has come to elucidate my current perception and future ambitions for architecture. More or less kept a consistent format for each and heavily modified one/multiple paragraphs toward each school.
https://issuu.com/connorkramer...
Harvard GSD
Yale SOA
Columbia GSAPP
Rice
Cornell
Penn
MIT
Michigan
WUSTL
Attended virtually but wasn't exceptionally impressed by any of them... Placing more stock in current student/alum experience and past personal visits.
Awaiting
Recommendations: Make sure to have a backup recommender that you trust to pull through if/when someone else flakes. A former professor that agreed to write my third letter months ago went silent days before deadlines, so I decided on a second professional recommendation instead. Most schools prefer two academic references but in the end they want someone who knows you well and will give an honest opinion, especially if you've been out of school an extended period like I have. That being said, give them plenty of time – I sent requests in September and each of them submitted only a few days ago.
Portfolio: This is undoubtedly the most significant part of the application, so treat it as so. Make sure the information is clear, concise, and easy to follow. Let your main images pop (hero renderings, drawings, etc) but don't be afraid to show dirty process work as well. Schools want to know how you think critically and why you approached a problem in the way you did. Rendering and graphic skills are no doubt important but the focus should be on the overall story you're intending to tell. To this end, allow text to serve as a supplemental narrative to the imagery - outline a problem and how/why you chose to solve it, rather than simply verbally explaining what's being shown in the visuals.
Essays: Allow for more time than you think you will need for these. Writing always came relatively easy to me so I wasn't too concerned going in, but found these to be much more difficult and time consuming than I anticipated. Treat the statement as a companion to your portfolio - a written account of who you are and why these schools should accept you. Rather than simply listing the things on your CV, use it as a chance to explain how you've come to form the position you inevitably possess and wish to further develop with graduate study.
General: Treat the portfolio, essays, CV and letters as a cohesive, single package. Aim for each to complement and build off one another, but still maintain the ability to adequately portray your qualifications independently. And above all else, start early.
Good luck!
Great portfolio! Neatly laid-out as well. Good luck!
Hello, M.Arch Fall 2021 Applicants!
My name is Lisa and I am currently working for UTSOA's grad office as a student assistant. I would be more than happy to help or inform anyone who has questions about our M.Arch program or its application process! I have a BS.Arch from OSU and will be graduating with my M.Arch from UT Austin in May 2021! I also will be graduating with a certificate in Historic Preservation if anyone has questions about that as well.
Best of luck to all applying for grad programs this year!
Hi! I'll go since last year's forum has helped me a lot:
Neat portfolio! I felt the descriptions were easy to understand and the work is pretty cool. Though on the 10-11 spread, I think the title block is a bit hard to read over the photo. Also with the line running underneath, I notice some of the drawings bleed over it to the bottom edge and sometimes not. That's really a minor peeve though.
Hi! I see that you have applied to UT Austin. I am currently in the M.Arch program there (graduating in May 2021) and would be happy to answer any of your questions about the program or give you insight into student life! Feel free to reach out if I can be of any help! - Lisa Maccora
update: in at Berkley!
congrats! Btw it's so nice to see another studio art & art history student here :) Are you going to their open house?
Yeah, I went to their open house, it was nice!
and update: in at UT!
in at Georgia Tech
out at UCLA, finally heard back
Out at Columbia, finally heard back
final update: committed to Berkeley
I've been a ghost on this forum for a long time. I recently made an account for this graduate admission cycle.
professional BS Landscape Architecture/Cornell University/2021
3.7/4.0 - 165V/164Q/5.0 - no TOEFL
2 Studio Instructors and 1 Professor/Employer
Focused on my research interests, my career aspirations and how I began to pursue them through my undergraduate studies. It's crazy where I am right now. Originally, I went to Cornell to study Physics. Interests lie in climate resilience, new design materials and collaborative design research projects.
I'm definitely not the most technically proficient and I focused a lot on the layout to keep things relatively easy on the eyes. Converted a lot of data into graphs and diagrammes. I tried to keep the pages succulent and edited out a lot of drawings that weren't too great. I honestly had a lot of great sketchbooks in storage back in school. With the travel restrictions, it's too bad they didn't make it in.
https://issuu.com/mdchang99/do...
M.Arch I or M.Arch I/MLA II dual-degrees:
MIT, Harvard GSD, Cornell, Yale, Columbia and UPenn
MIT, GSD and Yale most align with my current research interests. I have my fingers crossed and hope for some scholarships too. I definitely can't afford to pay it all.
Would also love to return to Cornell as an MLA grad. Ithaca might be cold and drab but the people at Cornell are lovely!
TBA
All of these programmes are so competitive and any acceptances should be celebrated. The times are so unprecedented and I wish everyone the best of luck!
PS If anyone is applying to Cornell MLA or any Cornell school, DM me if you want to know more about the studio culture (or Ithaca).
GSD: In $$$ (M.Arch I)
Yale: Out
Cornell : Out (M.Arch I)
Penn: In (early notif idk why. no aid package yet)
Hey so this is late but I thought I might as well post this here cause the these posts in the last few years were helpful
Economics and Computer Science / McGill University (Canada) / 2021
3.85/4.0 - didn't do - didn't do
2 from profs at my school; Economics and Architecture prof, two from past employers; President of a tech market research company and president of an interior design firm
I focused mine a lot on why I am where I am now, harping a fair bit on my brothers and mums battle with cancer over the course of my university education. I was originally going to do a Bachelors of Arch but after talking to some other architects they suggested I try a few other things first to then really confirm this path so here I am. I've had to pay for my own way through school so I've always had a job (which required design work) while working at school which I spoke about as well.
All my design work comes from work experience where I've designed advertisements and websites / draw in my free time so this is definitely lower quality than the rest. I don't have my portfolio on issuu but for reference here is one of the websites I developed and included in my portfolio: https://www.wyngit.com. I included some sculptures as well as I really wanted my portfolio to have a little bit of everything seeing as I'm coming from a relatively different background than most. A big fall back of mine is I laid out my portfolio in a very minimal way as though it was a pamphlet which lacks display of my process for each piece.
M.Arch I:
Columbia, UC Berkeley, UBC (Canada), U of T (Canada)
Didn't go just read about them here lol.
TBA
As has been repeated so many times already, start early. I left my essays to a week before their due date each time. They were all due around the time of my final exams which made December a very stressful month.
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
BA in Architecture / UCB / 2019
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
3.1 - Waive - Waive
Letter of recommendations
4 Studio Profs
Personal Essay/Statement
Basically talked about architectural elements in the city where I grew up and how those inspired me.
Portfolio
https://issuu.com/vietnguyen7/...
Schools
UCB, Yale SOA, GSD, Upenn, GSAPP
Open house impressions
I didnt go to any of them, I wish I could, it always conflicts with my work hours. Tho, I did join GSD InDesign Bootcamp, and the instructors shared their portfolios, and I think those are pretty beautiful portfolios.
Results
Will See! Wish me luck I guess. :)
Tips
General, I can’t stress it enough is to start early, if you couldn’t start the application physically, start it in your head, think about it, be obsessed with it, and treat it as a year-long design exercise where you have to craft your portfolio and writing. Make your personal statement and portfolio speak with each other cohesively.
Portfolio: Most important material, it is a process of understanding yourself as a designer, and trust me, if you spend enough time working on your portfolio, you will realize why you design certain things and understand your logic behind the design. I looked back at my old sketchbook years ago, and I was trying to compare those final products with my early sketches, and I realized a lot of those sketches are basically my final idea with just more refined graphics. So sometimes, you got to have to look backward to move forward. Schools give you full of deadlines, parties, events, and sleepless night studies, and certainly, we just forgot about the most valuable elements hid behind the early pages of your sketchbook. So keep your sketchbooks, don’t throw them away. Include sketches in your portfolio, and not all but some that speak out the most.
After you think you are at a stopping point with your portfolio, ask people to judge it, sure they will give plenty of comments base on their preference, all are valuable to look at the different set of eyes. You can treat it as Quality Control ( Spelling and Grammar mistakes, Color Balance, Layout ). I have asked many people on this forum to help me with that, and I felt grateful and thankful for all of those comments. The final portfolio is not perfect, still have some layout issues but I am quite happy with it for now. Just do the best you can.
Essay, not an expert in writing because English is my second language. But just think about it when you are free, layout your idea when you are free, I usually did it in the shower, so sometimes I take a 30-minute shower and wasted a lot of water. Definitely write a genuine one and don’t try to impress any school, I think they just want to see an applicant’s unique perspective toward architecture. Do some research on the school you apply, to have a general idea of the strengths and focuses of the program. I am still improving on my writing so...
Good Luck to everyone :)
Love the portfolio! Best of luck, did you apply for advanced standing?
I didn't apply for AP, I think the committee will decide that I think. I am coming from a BA so technically I don't think that I am qualified for AP or M.arch II.
B.S. Environmental Design, Minor- Studio Art/ Arizona State University / 2021
3.31, Junior/Senior GPA- 3.98 - N/A - N/A
Two professors, my boss
Different for almost every school, especially the GSD one. I took some different approaches with those smaller, sectioned essays that were more about specific experiences, and relayed it back to why I love architecture. Went a little off the wall/avant-garde with some of the essays for GSD, but I don't think it hurt me? Fingers crossed. Overall in the other ones I discussed my cultural background, background in engineering, why I transferred to design, what I aim to do with it, why I will never look back.
I transferred to Environmental Design my third year of undergrad, and I've been in this degree for two years. ASU doesn't have the best EnvD degree, so most of my projects have been reliant on first year architecture studio, metalsmithing, sketches I have done, paintings. It's not perfect, there are definitely things I wish I changed, but overall I am happy with it. If anyone requests I'll post.
Harvard GSD
IIT
Columbia GSAPP
ASU
Pratt
Most of my investment was in GSAPP, so mainly attended those and their online lectures. I already attend ASU so I am pretty familiar with their mission and facilities. Overall: love ASU's focus on Indigenous design, they have a great biomimicry center here and very diverse class range so you could explore other interests as well. But it's just really, really hot, but it's "a dry heat". GSAPP was also great, very comprehensive sessions. It's also NY, and their lectures have been really well-structured and informational.
In: ASU
Waiting on the rest
Start as early as possible. I know everyone says this, so I won't go over it too much. I would also recommend taking time away from a project, and coming back to it, even redoing the project completely just for the portfolio. We tend to get tunnel vision, I find that putting the laptop down, taking a break and coming back will help a lot with the creativity block.
Many of us don't have an architectural background. So if you are showing your art projects, show your progress, even if it means you have to go back to make up some progress. Don't underestimate sketches that you have buried away, they show design prowess. Don't worry about making your portfolio look like an architecture portfolio, they would rather see your amazing underwater basket weaving as opposed to your mediocre CAD drawings. I didn't have a single CAD drawing in my portfolio. Yes I did some in undergrad, but they are faaar from my best work, so I won't include them.
For the essay, don't be too generic. Don't tell them how you were always meant to do architecture and you built with LEGOS since you were 7 and that somehow means you are meant to go to Yale. Be honest, but don't be too TMI. I honestly may have been a little too TMI about my mental illness in my essays.
For those whose English is not their first language: have someone whose is proofread your essay(s), I would also be happy to read over them if you ever want to DM me. I believe those on the admissions board are understanding to some degree, but this isn't just about grammar. There might also be topics or just ways you structure sentences that seem off, pretentious, or inappropriate that can be avoided if you have someone who speaks English as a first language check your essay.
This may seem like an unnecessary tip, but this isn't just a tip for grad school, this is just a tip for real life: DON'T BE A CREEP. I've been hit on during open house sessions and guess what? You get reported to the head of admissions, and your name is blacklisted. Don't make women (and people in general) uncomfortable, seriously can't believe I need to say this. This is grad school, we are grown ass adults. And don't make a Zoom call uncomfortable for everyone, we are here to get information for admissions, not to be stalked.
Good luck!
Update:
GSD- OUT, expected honestly
Pratt- IN $$
IIT- IN, no word on funding yet
IIT- $$$
B.S. Arch / U. of Cincinnati / 2021
GPA : 3.5 - GRE : waived - TOEFL : waived
Recommendation Letters : 2 from studio professors - 1 from coworker
Personal Essay/Statement : Wrote about my career goals and why i would make a good candidate
Portfolio : 7 studio academic - 1 research - 1 competition - 1 personal work
Schools : U. of Michigan - tOSU - Rice - Yale - GSD - MIT - Cornell - GSAPP - U. of Penn - Pratt
U of Michigan / tOSU / Cornell / Pratt : In
Yale / GSD : out
Undergraduate Degree/ School/ Year graduated
B.ARCH/ BSAU( INDIA) / 2018
GPA - GRE - TOEFL
7.59/ NA/ 107
Letter of recommendations
Personal Essay/Statement
I spent a few months writing and rewriting my essay. Focused on my values and tied my experiences to those values. Honest and straightforward.
Portfolio
https://issuu.com/snehalakshmisubra/docs/portfolio
Schools
UCB, UT AUSTIN, WASHU, UVIRGINIA, HARVARD, COLUMBIA, UMICH, PRATT, CORNELL, USC, RISD.
Results
Will update.
Hi! I am a current UTSOA student in the M.Arch program and would be happy to give you any insight into our school! I graduate in May and also had a background in Architecture. Best of luck!
UPDATE : UCB rejection
Hi! Which program you applied for?
BA Engineering
Architecture Conservation and Sustainability Structural Stream
GPA 3.75/4
Two professional from government ( One is architect other conservation engineer)
Created it recently as I have no formal background in architecture. Includes drawings/paintings, one renovation work and two building designs I worked on my own.
Carleton University
Awaiting..
This is Hemant from India
Is there any Update on AADRL, PRATT OR SCIARC applicantation anyone? And how long does ITECH take to reply to their applicants?
Thanks :)
what is Itech? applied to SCIARC and IITech - no info from them yet.
https://www.icd.uni-stuttgart.de/teaching/itech/
Got Pratt update today for MSc. Arch+UD
BA - English & Creative Writing / UT Austin / 2020
2 former professors and 1 current employer
Talked about personal experiences in relation to my love and understanding for design and the human experience.
https://issuu.com/jerry.rdz.so...
(Heads up, I designed it so that each page was viewed individually, and not as spreads, but ISSUU modified it to fit its own format...)
MIT, Yale, Columbia, and Cornell
Only attended Yale's virtual open house. pretty informative, to be honest. It was my first time ever attending one.
Hoping for acceptance, prepared for rejection, though quite honestly not sure what to expect... :)
Portfolio:
This advice is probably more suitable for people with non-arch backgrounds like myself, since that's really the only approach I'm familiar with and have experienced...
Take a few months to produce original work intended solely for the purpose of the portfolio. You can also recycle previous work, of course, but show intentionality about everything. Every work in your portfolio should contribute something towards a GREATER picture. That "greater picture," or the overarching idea, should mirror your essay. Furthermore, I believe your portfolio work is an opportunity not just to reflect what you've stated in the essay, but also to expand on the themes and ideas. Plus, it's also an opportunity to make an experience out of the overall portfolio itself. Think about the mood and tone and colors and arrangements of the portfolio. Say every art/design work is an instrument, and the portfolio itself is a composition...
essay tips:
Be unafraid to answer with originality and personal experience, but be sure to stay right on topic and in direct response to the prompt.
Be concise.
I'd say start developing ideas early on, like 5 months early, and pretty much just write your ideas, and write, and keep writing. It's a wonderful experience to realize, eventually, that you'll have plenty of personal content to work with. Then, maybe 2-3 months prior to the deadline, start organizing your ideas and structuring your essay.
Definitely have someone proofread your work and provide feedback. This applies to the artwork you'll be creating for your portfolio as well. Talk about your ideas with people. Talk to people who know you well and ask them why they think you'd be a good match for the arch programs... you'll be surprised what they have to say, I'm sure.
I might regret providing "tips" if I don't get accepted, lol. Oh well. :)
Also, last thing, Feedback is definitely appreciated. I'm curious to see what people think of my work, stats, and chances.
Much love!
an avid lit & cw lover here, and I love how literary (atmospheric) your portfolio looks! good luck !!!!!
also in the "Hoping for acceptance, prepared for rejection, though quite honestly not sure what to expect... :)" stage, accurate!
Best of luck!
Hello,
Thank you for the amazing advice! Did you end up getting accepted into any programs?
B.A. Art, History of Art and Architecture / UCSB '20 (non-US student)
3.63 - Waived - Waived
all profs, 2 architectural history, 1 art.
Tailored to each school.
All studio art projects. The two submitted to UCB and UCLA were kind of bad because I didn't realize at the time the importance of showing process (and really regret not including more process), the one submitted later to the other schools were way more detailed.
UCB, UCLA, UOregon, UMichigan, GSAPP, Cornell.
Unfortunately almost all of them conflicted with my schedule, went to UCLA and Columbia info session and watched recording of UMichigan portfolio review.
Waiting for everything besides UOregon and UCB (both in).
- Start your portfolio early and the statements afterward, I tried to write SOP first but couldn't even articulate why I wanted a M.Arch, but everything became more clear after the portfolio is completed.
- Go to portfolio reviews, I was able to make revisions to my
portfolio because of specific tips given in the portfolio session that
aren't necessarily part of the "requirements."
another tip that may be obvious to other people is don't hesitate to apply to private schools (unless app fees are a burden ofc) ;v; I didn't apply to a lot of schools due to their tuition being on the higher end, but realized later than maybe they also have financial aid or scholarships.
Hey! Congrats on your admits! When did you hear back from UCB?
Ty! It was 2/17 but someone on another thread said their friend got it 2/16. I don't know why schools send out decisions in batches tho, does anyone know?
Most private schools have scholarships and for some they are supported with external scholar programs run by independent support organisations.
B.ARCH/ BNU, Lahore, Pakistan/2019
GPA 3.3/4
3 academic from professors.
Includes 3 academic and 1 independent project (residence)
Georgia Tech
Virginia Tech
SCAD
U of Michigan
Awaiting.
Got an email from Virginia Tech today saying the school wants to recommend me for admission, asking for TOEFL scores. no mention of aid. what does that mean for my chances there?
The chances of getting admitted are quite big. I got the offer from VT last year with a 3.05 GPA, but strong recommendation letters.
Did you go to VT? I am currently trying to decide between Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.
graduate student reapply.
GPA 3.4/4
2 academic from professors. 1 from the previous intern employer.
I was working on my portfolio for two yrs. tried my best,
GSD, Yale, MIT, Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, & Pratt institute
Awaiting.
the reason for me reapplying is that I found out the location of the program matters a lot. It decides the start point of a future career as well as the network quality. I applied to 15 universities and got offers from 12 of them including VT, Sci-arc, RISD, Pratt, Georgia, etc. As a result, I tried to reach out to something sharper and city-centered this year. I absolutely do not think it a waste of time and energy doing the application again. Finger cross for everyone, the waiting time is so long this year----- compared to my offer rain last year overall.
BS Architecture
3.5 / waived / n/a
Two professors/ former employers and a mentor. All principals at their firms and some attended some of the schools I applied to.
All essays were quite personal, it varied based on prompts and word-counts but basically talked about the questions that led me to architecture, the way I design, and what I aspire to do while in grad school.
4 of my undergrad projects and four short personal/professional projects
MIT, GSD, Cornell, Princeton, GSAPP, Yale
I did attend most if not all info sessions, open houses, and lectures from each school, in some cases even reaching out to professors that research and work align with mine.
MIT Accepted $$$
Awaiting for the rest
Start early and take it slow, I started working on my application during the summer and still submitted most applications a couple of minutes before the deadline. This will mainly give you plenty of time, not saying it is supposed to consume your week, but it will help adjust your essay/portfolio and get feedback from peers or professors. I went back and forth between the portfolio and essay, as I felt it should communicate the same idea. Also, don’t feel like you need to add every project you have ever done to your portfolio; I only added projects that felt represented me the most, how I think and what I believe is important. Still, I don’t know if that will help me get in; take it with a grain of salt and just be true to yourself.
Is $$$ scaled to MIT, or just general?
I think that means 75% scholarship
Would you be willing to share your portfolio? Congrats
BS Arch - Ohio State - Graduated 2019
3.6/4.0 - 159/159/4 - n/a
2 professors, 1 principal at my firm. I went for people who knew me really well, reached out early, sought legitimate advice from them. I was less concerned about their connections.
tip for future applicants: bring a draft of your portfolio to the professors/mentors/employers from whom you are seeking a letter of rec. Include a project in which they were professor in your portfolio. Ask early, as some may limit the number of recs they right to the highest ranked schools / their alma mater. Make the process easy for them as they are probably writing multiple letters. No need to be anxious in asking for a rec - they do this every year : )
I framed a single significant architectural experience for almost all schools and applied it in different ways. Most schools have unique prompts, but I wrote to that which felt most innate to my individuality as an applicant instead of following the prompt to a tee. I did not spend as much time here as I would have hoped : /
I chose projects as to display a narrative of my thought process as a designer and my value system as a person. For schools in which professors sat on my crits during undergrad, I made sure to include the project which they had critiqued.
I paid extra attention to creating a cohesive and sharp layout. I probably overlooked at other portfolios to the point of comparison anxiety, but it was helpful in getting a sense of what schools had admitted in years past. I also looked at the portfolios of former classmates who had gotten into the schools I was looking at as another benchmark (surprise, we are judged against our classmates each application cycle).
I have worked for two years - I did not include specific project work but I did graphically display an initiative I started at my firm.
tip for future applicants: don't get bogged down comparing yourself to everyone else's portfolios. Do what you do best and let your individuality shine.
Schools
OSU, GSD, Yale, U of Michigan, Penn, MIT
Didn't get to any open houses but tried to talk to current students / recent graduates of each program.
OSU $$$
Awaiting the rest as of 2/23
Stay off this forum as much as possible? we all only know so much lol
for future applicants: cultivate real relationships with your professors, reach out to alums of your school who took trajectories you are interested in, look at schools where you would like to live or be intent on figuring out their sphere of influence outside of the city in which the school resides. Consider working between undergrad and grad school (at large and small firms if possible). I feel like I have learned a ton and have refined what I want out of my career.
write, not right ** oof
update 3/2: waitlisted Yale, in at GSD with $$, in at U of M with $
Hey congrats, Would you be willing to share your portfolio?
Hon. BA Art History and Urban Studies, University of Toronto, 2018
3.86/4.0
All academic, 2 from undergrad and 1 from an architecture studio program I attended after graduating
I mostly discussed my interest in architectural preservation, sustainability, and urban design, and how my educational background fits with architecture.
I included 5 projects total, and tried to showcase a range of mediums (many rough process drawings, writing, photography, and making things out of household materials), varying scales (handheld to neighborhood), and durations (weeks to a day). Looking back, I can see that most of my projects have a historical and urban design/planning focus, so curating a theme that relates to your interests and statement may be helpful. It was my first time ever working with InDesign, so I kept it super simple and worked with spreads. 2 of my references were the professors for my projects.
Carleton, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, Calgary (all M.Arch 1, 3-year programs)
Calgary had a super informative Zoom open house and gave specific portfolio tips - there was the option to schedule a critique before the application deadline.
UBC gave a lot of portfolio specifics (like ideas for fonts, sizes) and had two current M.Arch students overview their experiences and work. Really great!
UofT had multiple Zoom open houses (per program and also for portfolio) - their curriculum overview and research studios were the most interesting to me.
Did not see that Carleton had an open house, or else I would have attended - I know the least about Carleton’s program. If anyone has any experience with Carleton to share I would appreciate it!
Awaiting as of 2/23
I spent the most time editing, editing, editing my Statement and Portfolio blurbs/captions. Tie together your Statement and Portfolio if you can - what themes are similar between the two? Reference a project or two in your Statement. If I had more time and extra wordspace I would have discussed more specific thesis research interests or longterm goals - finding the balance between past, present, and future-oriented can be tough. Always question your portfolio layout - look at each page separately AND together.
Excited and nervous for results!
UofT as a last resort or if it's free. UBC and Carleton are decent (and I know nothing about Calgary), but either of which produces better M.arch grads.
BA ECON - Arch Studies Minor - UT AUSTIN 2020
3.6 - DIDNT TAKE - DIDNT TAKE
2 Arch Professors 1 Printmaking Professor
I used my personal essays to state what my interests are in Architecture, and what I want out of my M Arch degree. I used this area to talk about specific resources/faculty/classes that would help me achieve my career and academic goals.
Definitely the hardest part for me, but I had a good amount of work from my undergrad that reflected my interests and academic goals.
RISD
UT
SCI-ARC
U of Michigan
Columbia
Haven't gone to any. Most of my impressions of each school were from talking to former faculty/alumn
UT - IN
RISD - IN $$$$
Still awaiting rest
Start early! Of all the years to apply, I felt like this was the least stressful. The GRE waiver that most schools had allowed me to focus more on my portfolio and personal essay rather than waste months stressing over the GRE.
hey congrats! I wanted to know if you applied to RISD early or anything because I applied to their M-ARCH 2 program and have not heard anything yet.
Me either! I'm nervous lol
Hey! I'm MArch I and they gave me a phone call. I haven't received any official email or anything yet though. I believe they let me know slightly ahead of time because they offered me money. If I were to guess, you should be hearing back in the next few weeks! Good luck :)
jb- congrats! same here. no idea on $ though.
@JJCESD Gratz!
@odhc86 @jchid711 just received my official email today. hoping you all received something today!
I got waitlisted, which is amazing for me coming from a small practical not know architecture school, so I'm proud of myself. thanks for the help!
Didn't get into Yale and I am kind of disappointed, High GPA, great work on the portfolios and Essays... I also saw people with 3.3 GPAs get in through Grad Cafe ( not that it's by no means a measure of how wonderful an applicant is but I am chocked). I have been seeing people receive calls from GSD and MIT that are also dream schools and I am kind of devastated ... I don't know if I should email the admissions of the schools I haven't heard back from or if anyone knows the exact date when we hear back from the following schools :
GSD - GSAPP - MIT - Cornell - Pratt ?
Thank you and Congratulations to everyone on their admissions !
BFA Interior Design - Pratt - 2020
3.5 - DIDNT TAKE - DIDNT TAKE
1 Studio Professor, 1 Thesis Professor (also teaches at GSAPP), 1 current employer
Talked about how my personal upbring lead me to design, and how I am ready to move from interior design to architecture. Stated what interests me in Architecture and what aspect of architecture I want to focus on in the future.
Mostly undergrad projects, and included two small hospitality projects from work.
Yale
Columbia
Pratt
Haven't gone to any.
Yale - OUT
Still awaiting rest AND NOT EXPECTING MUCH :(
BA in Architecture Class of 2021
3.79 - GRE: 163 Math, 164 Verbal, 6 Essay (Submitted this to Yale since they said they would include it and did this over the summer before all the rest got rid of this exam :( - didn't need TOEFL
3-5 depending on the school
2 were my studio proffs
1 from the dean of my program
1 from my thesis advisor
1 from an employer from my internship
Depending on the school it changed but I wrote about my response to COVID-19 and how it impacts my design values/goals and also how I see the future of architecture changing due to the pandemic. I also talked about in certain schools my interest on the "Smart City" ideology and the affects of modern technology/social media on our experience of architecture/space in general (how it takes away from us being present and how we can better respond to our new digital lifestyles). Also spoke on some professors that really stood out to me in each program and clubs that I was interested in getting involved.
7 Total Projects - mainly studio projects - many of my projects centered on human centric design I'd say. I also had a more design related project included in there that was more fine arts (experimental)
Yale, GSD, MIT, Columbia, Princeton, Penn - Applying for M Arch I Programs
Went to several virtual open houses, but tbh the online ones just aren't great at showing you what these schools are really like. Luckily I was able to visit both Yale and GSD's open house back in 2019 (I was curious early on about these programs). I've always liked GSD given its interdisciplinary range from the other departments like planning within the school as well as the overall projects I saw (especially the options studio ones) really impressed me. I found Yale's openhouse also really great, I think the program to me seems like almost "pure architecture" in a sense, where if you're in the program, you will really hone your skills/knowledge about design and architecture (rather than receive perhaps a more interdisciplinary education at Harvard). This was just my personal impression back in 2019.
In at Yale! - Very grateful and incredibly surprised...did not think my work would be what Yale liked...
Waiting on the others
START UR PORTFOLIO EARLY!!!!! I started in November and it stressed me out so much on top of trying to survive school and everything else.
Hey any link to your portfolio?
BS in architecture/ University of Minnesota/ 2020
3.1- 150,161,3.5- Waive
Three studio instructors. No special.
I basically talked about my whole life from now. Why architecture and what is my goal.
Three studio projects + two self-art installations.
Columbia, Upenn, USC, Syracuse, Umich, Wustl, UMN
NA
UMN- In
WUSTL- In
I would say start earlier than what you planned.
Bachelor of Design, major in Architecture/ University of Melbourne/ 2020
3 from studio leaders
PS: I mainly talked about my interests in design and architecture since high school, and some conceptual art and philosophy stuff, also a bit why I shifted from installation and photography to architecture.
Two projects from undergraduate studios, and two from workshops/summer schools. I had my tutors graduated from GSD and UCLA as reviewers and received some pretty good feedbacks.
UCB, UCLA, GSD, Columbia, Rice, Princeton, Yale (I know this is a bit ambitious and risky, but whatever I got Melbourne as the safe one)
I didn't get the chance to view the virtual one due to the time difference, but luckily I viewed the Yale one and it really got me.
UCB - OUT
GSD - OUT
YALE - OUT
Don't have any yet, and you better start earlier tho.
has anyone heard from MIT since the last time people posted about it ?
Just putting my information out there so I can see who is going where and start conversations :)
Bachelors in Interior Design / University of Louisiana at Lafayette / 2019
3.2 / Waived / Didn't Need
2 Professors from Undergraduate & 1 Boss/Mentor from Dance Job
Depended on the School Submitted too!
https://issuu.com/kcdooley/doc...
Yale
Cornell
WashU Sam Fox
Syracuse
RISD
Pratt
UIC
I only attended WashU and UIC and I wasn't overly impressed with either but also wasn't super focused during it.
Yale & Cornell - Out (heartbroken but makes sense)
WashU & Pratt - In
RISD - Waitlist
Syracuse & UIC - Awaiting
Give me your thoughts about the programs I've listed please! I want opinions on programs so I choose the best one possible :)
I knew going into this process that my disadvantages were my gpa was incredibly low because of my awful experience in undergrad, I didn't want to spend money on the GRE so I don't have any scores to set me a part from everyone else, and I didn't have any work experience in the field on my resume. But it is what it is!
Reposting here:
- Dedicate a certain amount of time each day (doesn't have to be a lot of time) to work on it and start early! Many people have reiterated on this but I can't stress enough the importance of starting early - you'll be surprised how much you can do if start early and just chip the application away each day.
- Ask for references at least 12 weeks prior to your deadlines. Most of my references didn't get to the letters until the deadline even with very early notice. Make it easy for them to write & submit your letters - share some of your previous work in their class if they were your profs, or share your draft CV/portfolio. Take the initiative to show them that this is important for you, but don't rush them for any comments/feedbacks.
- Don't be afraid to show projects outside of the realm of spatial design - any high-quality work that speaks for your ideas and who you are would help.
- Revisit your statements after you write them again and again! I didn't get to rewrite my personal statement and had to submit them right before deadlines because of full-time work. After submitting, I re-read my essays and genuinely hoped that I could have more time to refine them. Start planning the essays and the portfolio at the same time so that they can inform each other naturally.
when did you hear back from MIT ?
I got an unofficial email and phone call on Feb 22.
Hi, have you gotten an official acceptance yet from MIT
No not yet. I still haven't received any official packages from them.
Hey! Congrats! Do you have any link to your portfolio?
Worried about MIT, does anyone have any information?
Does MIT usually send out acceptances in phases? Or should we expect them to send out acceptances, then waitlists and rejections all at once?
Here's mine
Will do this part later.
Here's mine
I have no clue what this date notification means. I am half stuck feeling anxious, hoping it's not a rejection. Only because Weitzman's research and curriculum best align with my interests, followed by GSAPP.
Anyone here going to Pratt? Would love to connect and learn more.
Will do this part later.
heyy I got into pratt, not too sure about going there because of how expensive it is, how do you feel about the school and which way are you going towards?
Hey got into Pratt, still waiting on Columbia though not hopeful. Would love to connect and see what you think about the school, feel free to DM me!
Hey jchid711, I am finding the course expensive as well. Hence awaiting on some other options. I love the influence if mixed media on the course, and the program seems intensive too.
However I’m looking forward to
However I’m looking forward to exploring other options keenly. Keeping Pratt as a backup. Let me know if you will be attending the student meet, this March end. Perhaps can connect via mail.
Hey congrats! I got into Pratt too, how do u feel about the school and which way are you leaning too.
Thanks! It seems like a great school, however I'm a bit hesitant about its reputation for focusing on theory/form-based architecture. Also quite a bit more expensive than UT Austin, so I'm probably leaning that way. What are your thoughts?
Has anyone else received an acceptance to Yale from Sunil Bald, but not the aforementioned financial aid details?
Congrats and/or good luck to all!
Some folks are discussing it at the end of the other admissions thread: https://archinect.com/forum/thread/150225328/m-arch-fall-2021-application-status/50#last
do you go to uwaterloo :O high-5
Lol who ‘dis?
Andrew Lev, obvi. ur tech rprt is due 2day
B.S. Arch, minor in CS / US Top 20 / 2021
3.67 / N/A / N/A
3 for most schools – advisor, dean of school, program chair.
1 additional for Harvard and Columbia – Former internship boss who is a big deal in the industry. For some reason I thought Yale is a really easy school to get into (not true btw…) so omitted Yale.
Pretty straightforward stuff – just whatever the prompt asked for, really. For the Less is More I did a bit of homework and talked about the office tower typology briefly – which was the GSD’s Core III studio prompt this year, which I learned from friends in that studio.
Did a lot of reconnaissance / research / stalking before I wrote so I could really talk about the things that interest each of the schools (or so I thought).
Had a friend who works for Goldman to proofread my resume and essays – got shredded into bits the first couple of rounds but it did markedly improve my stuff, so thankful for that.
I would caution people against linking their full portfolio here unprotected – there has been some plagiarism scandals on Zhihu involving an extensively plagiarized (we are talking like, straight up Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V) portfolio that got admitted into Yale. Also just bad opsec to leave your personal information out in the open like that.
All undergraduate projects, every single bit of material is independent work. Mostly drawings and models, some renderings sprinkled in – especially for the projects done during COVID when I had no access to the studio space. One project that is not a building, and one spread that is just one standalone drawing. Lots of freehand drawing but I would say be very judicious and honest about the quality of your own drawings – if they’re not actually fantastic then consider omission.
I had very little filler content – an issue I see here with a lot of portfolios is there are just pages after pages of material but very little content. Like nobody wants to see 5 spreads of almost identical diagrams / maps / repetitive floor plans. If it does not clearly advance your design process / intention and is not eye-candy (think big, sexy models, drawings, etc.) then cut it out. Also paid attention to rhythm – I tried real hard to fill it with content without make each page too full and lose the sense of hierarchy.
I started with the 12”x18”, 30 page standard of the GSD and worked from there, which proved to be a good decision.
The total amount of time spent is about 3 to 4 weeks – so probably 500-600 man-hours not including other materials. Also spent wayyy too much time digging up images from old hard drives.
All M.Arch I or equivalents. Applied for AP when applicable.
GSD, GSAPP, Yale, Princeton, my Alma Mater.
Only went to (Zoomed into, more like) the GSD one which was actually quite impressive. I really loved the amount of diversity in thought floating between the faculty and students, and just the general sense of vigor of the people.
IN – GSD w/ AP. Leaning towards this heavily...
IN – Yale
IN – Alma Mater w/ AP
?? – GSAPP
?? – Princeton
I hope someone is reading this stuff since I’m putting in some real effort writing these, hahaha
1. SHOOT FOR THE MOON
If you can either spare that $100 (not a small sum, I understand) or get a waiver (actually not that uncommon) then you should definitely try for the seemingly unattainable dream school - you might just get in, and they might just throw down wads of cash at ya. You never know.
2. START EARLY
Like, the-summer-before early. The portfolio and essays takes so dog-damned long and it would absolutely suck if you have to do the applications alongside your finals, which unfortunately often coincide nicely with the deadlines. I ended up in this situation and boy, that was not a good time.
3. Send your referers your portfolio, even in draft form
Seems to be common sense but for some reason apparently some people don't do this automatically? Draft form is totally fine - you will also get some feedback on your work-in-progress which can only benefit the product.
4. Don't look too hard at Issuu when working on your own stuff
Unless you just want to be depressed. Go your own way!
5. Just ask the admissions office
...if you have a question about the process. Avoid the "but do you think I have a shot" tho, obviously. It's their job so don't hesitate - they won't hold it against you. Be nice.
6. Be yourself
This has came up in the previous comments but I just want to stress this again. No amount of refinement, skill, and craft can replace genuity (well maybe that's not entirely true but you get the gist). You will discover who you are as a designer as you put together your portfolio and revisit your previous works, so don't be afraid to express it thoroughly. I didn't believe this when I was told this early on in the process but I see it now.
Anyways, best of luck to current and future applicants. Hope y'all succeed in your pursuits. Now onto looking for cheap apartments in Cambridge...
IN - Princeton (just noticed the print portfolio I sent is actually kinda low-res because of a mistake in exporting the file... yikes)
@baboo.fei congrats big time. I just got rejected from GSD and Princeton for the second time and genuinely don't know why. would be possible if I send you my stuff and you give me some comments? I have no idea what to do anymore and very much appreciate the opinion of an expert...
Ya ofc, hit me up. Sorry to hear - I'm sure you will get it on the next try!
Can I also see what your portfolio looked like? Also congratulations!
sincere advice - thank you!
Does anyone here applied in KU LEUVEN for Master of Science in Conservation of Monuments and Sites????
Anyone hear back yet from Rice?
Yes, I received an update on my portal, no email - MArch option 1 accepted with $$.
has anyone heard back from Columbia M-Arch ??
not yet :( pretty sure Columbia has a later release date...
Nope, I heard we may hear back the end of this week?
Anyone have an idea of when GSAPP will be releasing their decisions?
heard the 17th
Accepted at Carnegie Mellon for M AAS and M.arch2 with advance standing. Waitlisted at Sci-Arc.
Any opinions on what I should do? Should I wait for Sci-Arc. ..Also how’s is CMU’s architecture program. What will be the job prospects for an international students after studying from CMU.
BFA, GPA: 3.3,
In - Pratt $$, SAIC, USC
Out - Yale, GSD, UCB
Waitlist - RISD
Any thoughts on which school should I attend for M.Arch 1? （Leaning towards USC)
Pretty sure I'm committing to UPenn. If any of you are thinking about going there I would love to get to know you before the start of classes! :)
UPdate: In at GSAPP
Hey everyone!
I created an Interior Architecture / Interior Design graduates study forum, if this feels too crowded for finding information on those specific topics.
https://archinect.com/forum/th...
Hi :)
Dual Degrees: B.S. Physics, minor: math | B.A. Russian, minor: public admin / Florida State University / 2019
3.4 - Waived - Waived
3 letters; one from a physics professor, one from a Russian professor, one from former boss at a national lab.
Really leaned into my journey through education and emphasized my interest in remaining in academia/becoming a professor. I also made sure to connect all of my undergraduate experiences to my current career ambitions. Talked mostly about my involvement in education and how I want to use architecture to improve education (mainly the design of learning environments, classrooms, and laboratories). Expounded on what I want to research, write, critique, and design (ancient and indigenous architecture and learning environments).
I should note that since I have graduated I have been working as an adjunct at a technical college teaching physics and I had teaching experience prior to my current job.
Carried the theme of education into my portfolio. I had two original designs intended for K-12 education. One was a furniture design and the other was a learning environment. The visual renderings aren't great or advanced but I made sure to express the problem, my proposed solution, and the benefits in written form. I then included 2 writing samples analyzing the cultural significance of architecture in ancient and indigenous cultures. Decided to do this since I am more interested in the history, theory, and analysis of design within academia more than the practice. Lastly, I included original architectural photographs of St. Petersburg, Russia.
Clemson, Georgia Tech, MIT
N/A
Clemson - In (offered assistantship)
The rest awaiting
I would say: start early, create first - ask for opinions later, & stick to what you know. Really let your own voice, perspective, and experiences shine through. But then again, what do I know lol
Georgia Tech - In
hey! anyone willing to join the reoccurring discussion of YSOA vs GSD please share your thoughts here https://archinect.com/forum/th...
Has anyone heard back from any UK schools? I am waiting on UCL Bartlett (received a request for portfolio last week) and AA. Is it common from them to reach out to everyone for interviews first?
I got my offer for Emtech at the AA two days ago, and the Bartlett will send out decision by next week.
Is anyone still waiting for MArch 1 UCLA and GSAPP??
I am for GSAPP,
feeling like it’s going to be a rejection at this point :/
Yeah it's prob a rejection from GSAPP at this point, as I heard couple ppl got accepted yesterday :/
Yep, still waiting to hear from UCLA.
Still waiting for GSAPP , convinced that it's a rejection. So devastated.
Got accepted at UCLA, haven't heard from GSAPP, maybe we could be waitlisted?
I think GSAPP already sent out waitlist notification few days ago
M.Arch 1 at USC vs. SCI-Arc? I am extremely confused and it sucks that I am not able to visit both schools. What are your opinions on their programs and job prospects?
Did you do the 360 video walk-through video that SCI-Arc sent out? It was a good virtual visit.