challenger87

I will be applying for a transfer into the 5 Year B.Arch program in Cornell next year. I would have to prepare all the necessary documents including the portfolio by the end of the year. I am currently studying Bachelor of Architectural Studies in University of Melbourne, Australia and I will be completing the degree (3 years) by the end of 2008. Since it's not a professional degree and it probably doesn't fulfill the prerequisite to a professional master degree in architecture, I would have to take a B. Arch course. I have done my research and found Cornell to be the school that I was deeply interested in.

Does anybody know how many transfer students are usually accepted by AAP into the B.Arch program per year? According to the AAP's website, it only admits very few transfer students into its arch. program but it doesn't give any statistics. Are there any insider tips into what to include in my portfolio to make it special enough to be remembered by the admission panel?

Thanks

sashimi46

I gotta go to class right now but i'll respond more in depth later. we usually get 2-3 transfer kids sophomore year out of around 80 applicants. so yeah, they don't admit that many in. good luck!

MHARCHITECT

The entire freshman, 1st year class is usually no more than 70 students or less. Transfers are, as the previous reply indicated, no more than 2 or so, and these include students from other colleges at Cornell.
I am not certain if you will get credit for the classes you have already taken and be able to enter into 2nd year. Usually one has to start at the beginning and take all 5 years.
Your portfolio will be very important; and must be outstanding. Cornell looks for creative ideas,drawings, designs, etc.. Not school drafting drawings.
Also, I assume you will need to have an interview with a Cornell architect college alumnus; or at Cornell. That will be very important.
Hope this helps.

challenger87

Since I have completed several architectural design studio courses, should my portfolio include only the selected design outcomes from those courses (which will incl. perspective shots, plans, conceptual ideas/design process, sections, elevations etc) or should it include any other form of creative art as well?

btw, has there ever been transfer students transferring into B. Arch as a junior before?

sashimi46

you should include both work from design studios as well as outside work as long as they're good. include lots of process photos of how you came to your design.

there has been transfer students who transferred into B.ARCH as a junior. It's just not as common because they'll probably be required to jump back to 2nd year.

kmatimber2

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you go for an M.Arch no matter what undergrad degree you get, it might just take more time?

laurstar07

if you are in a 4 year UG program, you go for your MArch I. if you are in a 5 year UG program, you can go for the optional MArch II