There are people with hidden advantages in life, but never let that discourage you. If you have to work a little harder to get a bit further, you will be far better served in life than those that have opportunities handed to them. At the same time, if you're spinning your wheels and not getting anywhere, it helps to recognise that there's absolutely nothing wrong with you or your abilities, and maybe you just need the right opportunity to come your way, and you'll nail it. I'm happy that the video resonated with you :)
The way you speak is so soothing to me and it gave me reassurance at the start of this video because my parents are immigrants, I'm in Dubai, and though its a pretty privileged place even if we're part of the working class, it takes a lot getting used to moving around and I'd sell my soul to get into Ivy League. (Which I'm planning to pursue :)
You much of went to a rich high school, mine didn't even have a foreign language or science class really, literally all we did was practice taking a state test all year so the district could get funding. "no child left behind" awesome.
Wow, I have been through a lot of TH-cam videos about college applications, ranks, programs, your video is just pure gold. Pure reality. Completely agree with the rat race, losing site of what's important while in high school. I have a 16 yrs old who is in all honors classes and will start APs next year. I will not allow cramping 4-5 AP classes into her schedule. She will have just enough to be taken seriously. No need to burn out at 17 or 18. Just no!
glad to hear! As a child, I needed to hear that it was ok to have a limit and unfortunately it took me until adulthood to learn how to say no and set healthy boundaries with work. It's something that's been essential to succeeding in architecture, as the profession really can feel like a marathon slog at times. Knowing when to stop and breath is very important!
Hi!! I am looking forward to applying to Cornell for architecture as well, but I really don't have any APs, honours or not even a good SAT score. It's just that the country where I study in high school doesn't really offer much. Even my extracurriculars are not balanced. My only hope is having a good GPA score, my portfolio and my essays. I wasn't even planning to apply to Cornell until my mother persuaded me to do so. Still, your video has motivated me to complete the application and lose the fear of rejection. Even though I don't make the cut, there will be opportunities later. Secondly, your portfolio is really good! My portfolio contains a lot of models, sketches, paintings, sculptures, and 3D art, so I think I can incorporate more and enhance it. Thank you!!
same bro 😭😭 i have 2 years left before high school ends and im scrambling to work on myself because the standards in my country and abroad are pretty damn far
Thank you for this video! I love your work. I was hoping you could answer a question of mine: I have a bunch of work for an architecture portfolio that cover heavier topics like anxiety/mental health/disordered eating. I was light on my descriptions and made sure to exhibit it as more of a feeling I have not been too personally affected by, but I wanted to get your opinion on creating art of heavy topics. I have heard a lot about not submitting essays that are about the topics I just mentioned, but nothing about portfolios. Thanks!
Architecture and art can be about anything. We had a student my thesis year at TU Delft, who focused her experiences battling depression, to design a therapeutical facility for mental health. If it's a topic that resonates with you, I don't think it's wrong to explain why you feel drawn to it and how it shapes your perspective as a prospective student. That perspective can be very valuable to have!
hi!! thank you so much for this video it was a refreshingly candid view of the hell i'm going through right now lol. i'm putting together a portfolio for cornell atm and was wondering if you'd advise the captions to be as short as yours were?
Hi! I applied a decade ago and back then, a small description was sufficient. If you're worried about being rambly you're welcome to email me a draft of your portfolio at kathryn@studiokathrynlarsen.com and I will look it over. My advice: writing too much in the first draft is always OK because you can always edit it down.
Hello! Thank you so much for this video, I feel more better applying to Cornell. However, I have not taken honors or AP my freshman or sophomore year because of so many problems I had. I’m taking them now, but i don’t know if I still have a chance. I’m not the biggest art person, but I’m passionate about sustainability and I am working on creating a new building material. If I succeed in creating it, do I stand a chance?
It's been 10 years since I attended but back in my day, as long as your passion came across you were ok! Don't put too much pressure on yourself to create a whole new building material as a teenager- but do explore your passion for sustainable materials and show this in your application. Your passion and your excitement are the most important things to showcase!
Hi! I was wondering if you know the backgrounds of ur classmates? like is everyone doing architecture already super knowledgeable on it before university? Is it possible to be accepted even if you havent taken many classes on architecutre?
Only a few were knowledgable or had experience. At the end of the day, it's a pretty even ground because they want to teach you "cornell architecture", and mold you into understanding design theory. From day 1 you are being trained on how to create a design concept, not create a building. The building evolves from the concept process. Even if you aren't a "good artist" you can learn fast how to draft, and the first few studio classes are based in teaching these basics.
Yeah, I think the most important thing is you just showcase what you're good at. I had more portraits than building drawings. My favorite part was getting to study next to others who were really talented and driven! It was really inspiring and made me focus to improve and learn.
I had 20 pages approximately, I would say about 7 were content from summer college. Another 3 were projects from art class. 5 were observational sketches or pencil drawings I did and the last 5 was some terrible photography I did. Truly terrible, cringeworthy photographs!
Hello I’m currently a freshman in highschool, and we just finished our first semester. I want to Major in architecture. I got a C in AP Biology so my gpa is currently a 3.5 (3.8 weighted). Did this ruin my chances of getting into a selective school (like Cornell?)
I don't work with admissions so take my advice with that grain of salt- but as long as you work to improve your grades beyond freshman year you should be fine, and especially if you put effort into creating a good portfolio. There were some people in my class that had C's in high school but because of their portfolio were accepted. In my freshman year we weren't even allowed to take any AP classes, so you are under a lot more pressure than I ever was. Try not to feel too stressed about it- a grade is not a representation of who you are as a person at the end of the day.
Back in my day, you had to literally mail a physical portfolio. I made this in photoshop and got the images printed separate at target so I could glue better quality images to my portfolio. But I can see now they tell you to submit via slideshare. I would look at how more recent applicants structure their portfolio now, and reccomend learning how to use InDesign to format your text how you like it. What I always do is look at other portfolios for inspiration and make notes on what I like about their layouts!!
I think a good portfolio always outweighs GPA, regardless of school, especially because in the Netherlands getting a perfect exam score is very difficult. :) GPA is considered for scholarships, though. You need a certain average to be eligible.
@@호호하하-e5o yes I believe so. GPA has only ever come into play for things like doing the honors program or getting a scholarship. Your portfolio and letter of motivation are really important!!
You are so real and I have so much respect for you. you are right, there are some with so much more of an advantage. I am so grateful for your words.
There are people with hidden advantages in life, but never let that discourage you. If you have to work a little harder to get a bit further, you will be far better served in life than those that have opportunities handed to them. At the same time, if you're spinning your wheels and not getting anywhere, it helps to recognise that there's absolutely nothing wrong with you or your abilities, and maybe you just need the right opportunity to come your way, and you'll nail it. I'm happy that the video resonated with you :)
The way you speak is so soothing to me and it gave me reassurance at the start of this video because my parents are immigrants, I'm in Dubai, and though its a pretty privileged place even if we're part of the working class, it takes a lot getting used to moving around and I'd sell my soul to get into Ivy League. (Which I'm planning to pursue :)
I'm really happy to hear that. Go for your dreams :)
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS!
you're very welcome :)
You much of went to a rich high school, mine didn't even have a foreign language or science class really, literally all we did was practice taking a state test all year so the district could get funding. "no child left behind" awesome.
Wow, I have been through a lot of TH-cam videos about college applications, ranks, programs, your video is just pure gold. Pure reality. Completely agree with the rat race, losing site of what's important while in high school. I have a 16 yrs old who is in all honors classes and will start APs next year. I will not allow cramping 4-5 AP classes into her schedule. She will have just enough to be taken seriously. No need to burn out at 17 or 18. Just no!
glad to hear! As a child, I needed to hear that it was ok to have a limit and unfortunately it took me until adulthood to learn how to say no and set healthy boundaries with work. It's something that's been essential to succeeding in architecture, as the profession really can feel like a marathon slog at times. Knowing when to stop and breath is very important!
Hi!! I am looking forward to applying to Cornell for architecture as well, but I really don't have any APs, honours or not even a good SAT score. It's just that the country where I study in high school doesn't really offer much. Even my extracurriculars are not balanced. My only hope is having a good GPA score, my portfolio and my essays. I wasn't even planning to apply to Cornell until my mother persuaded me to do so. Still, your video has motivated me to complete the application and lose the fear of rejection. Even though I don't make the cut, there will be opportunities later. Secondly, your portfolio is really good! My portfolio contains a lot of models, sketches, paintings, sculptures, and 3D art, so I think I can incorporate more and enhance it. Thank you!!
Just go for it! You miss 100% of the shots that you don't take. I'll be rooting for you and everyone applying this year :)
same bro 😭😭 i have 2 years left before high school ends and im scrambling to work on myself because the standards in my country and abroad are pretty damn far
Thank you for this video! I love your work. I was hoping you could answer a question of mine: I have a bunch of work for an architecture portfolio that cover heavier topics like anxiety/mental health/disordered eating. I was light on my descriptions and made sure to exhibit it as more of a feeling I have not been too personally affected by, but I wanted to get your opinion on creating art of heavy topics. I have heard a lot about not submitting essays that are about the topics I just mentioned, but nothing about portfolios. Thanks!
Architecture and art can be about anything. We had a student my thesis year at TU Delft, who focused her experiences battling depression, to design a therapeutical facility for mental health. If it's a topic that resonates with you, I don't think it's wrong to explain why you feel drawn to it and how it shapes your perspective as a prospective student. That perspective can be very valuable to have!
Really great tips!
hi!! thank you so much for this video it was a refreshingly candid view of the hell i'm going through right now lol. i'm putting together a portfolio for cornell atm and was wondering if you'd advise the captions to be as short as yours were?
Hi! I applied a decade ago and back then, a small description was sufficient. If you're worried about being rambly you're welcome to email me a draft of your portfolio at kathryn@studiokathrynlarsen.com and I will look it over. My advice: writing too much in the first draft is always OK because you can always edit it down.
I am 12 std student and I have many sketches like 15 so can I put in portfolio
Yes absolutely!
Hello! Thank you so much for this video, I feel more better applying to Cornell. However, I have not taken honors or AP my freshman or sophomore year because of so many problems I had. I’m taking them now, but i don’t know if I still have a chance. I’m not the biggest art person, but I’m passionate about sustainability and I am working on creating a new building material. If I succeed in creating it, do I stand a chance?
It's been 10 years since I attended but back in my day, as long as your passion came across you were ok! Don't put too much pressure on yourself to create a whole new building material as a teenager- but do explore your passion for sustainable materials and show this in your application. Your passion and your excitement are the most important things to showcase!
photographs are allowed for portfolio in cornell
Great video! It was super helpful AND insightful!!
thank you Lily :)
Hi! I was wondering if you know the backgrounds of ur classmates? like is everyone doing architecture already super knowledgeable on it before university? Is it possible to be accepted even if you havent taken many classes on architecutre?
Only a few were knowledgable or had experience. At the end of the day, it's a pretty even ground because they want to teach you "cornell architecture", and mold you into understanding design theory. From day 1 you are being trained on how to create a design concept, not create a building. The building evolves from the concept process. Even if you aren't a "good artist" you can learn fast how to draft, and the first few studio classes are based in teaching these basics.
heyy, I am from Canada and here we dont have ap classes in highschool do you think it’s an issue for my application ?
No we had several (3) people from Canada in our school so it shouldn't be an issue at all!
Loved your video!🥰 what’s your favorite thing about architecture in Cornell? Also, can the portfolio include more portraits than actual buildings haha
Yeah, I think the most important thing is you just showcase what you're good at. I had more portraits than building drawings. My favorite part was getting to study next to others who were really talented and driven! It was really inspiring and made me focus to improve and learn.
How many projects did you make for your portfolio?
I had 20 pages approximately, I would say about 7 were content from summer college. Another 3 were projects from art class. 5 were observational sketches or pencil drawings I did and the last 5 was some terrible photography I did. Truly terrible, cringeworthy photographs!
Hello
I’m currently a freshman in highschool, and we just finished our first semester. I want to Major in architecture.
I got a C in AP Biology so my gpa is currently a 3.5 (3.8 weighted). Did this ruin my chances of getting into a selective school (like Cornell?)
I don't work with admissions so take my advice with that grain of salt- but as long as you work to improve your grades beyond freshman year you should be fine, and especially if you put effort into creating a good portfolio. There were some people in my class that had C's in high school but because of their portfolio were accepted. In my freshman year we weren't even allowed to take any AP classes, so you are under a lot more pressure than I ever was. Try not to feel too stressed about it- a grade is not a representation of who you are as a person at the end of the day.
@@KathrynLarsen thank you so much
what if I'm not good at drawing?
It's ok! most architects can't actually draw. It's mostly just important that you can represent things creatively :)
How did you make the online portfolio?
Back in my day, you had to literally mail a physical portfolio. I made this in photoshop and got the images printed separate at target so I could glue better quality images to my portfolio. But I can see now they tell you to submit via slideshare. I would look at how more recent applicants structure their portfolio now, and reccomend learning how to use InDesign to format your text how you like it. What I always do is look at other portfolios for inspiration and make notes on what I like about their layouts!!
Does gpa matter when applying? or is it possible to be admitted if the portfolio is good even if i don’t have a good gpa
I think a good portfolio always outweighs GPA, regardless of school, especially because in the Netherlands getting a perfect exam score is very difficult. :) GPA is considered for scholarships, though. You need a certain average to be eligible.
@@KathrynLarsen Are you saying that portfolio is more important than gpa?
@@호호하하-e5o yes I believe so. GPA has only ever come into play for things like doing the honors program or getting a scholarship. Your portfolio and letter of motivation are really important!!
@@호호하하-e5o but for a clearer answer consider contacting the tu delft student center as I'm not an admissions counselor.
@@KathrynLarsen thank you very much
Hi!
I am an international student from Syria.
I wanna apply early decision at cornell, can I ask you a few questions by email please?
You are also in a field that does not pay well.