<p>This isn’t really a “chance me” post… but since this forum gets the most traffic, and my questions are somewhat relevent, I decided to risk the chance of offending some hardcore CC rulesbook follower and post here :)</p>
<p>First of all, I’m sophomore in high school whose dream is attending Cornell’s B.Arch program. My other options include Carnegie Mellon, University of Texas, Rice and Yale (4 years architectural studies, 2 years M.Arch). Since the beginning of this year I’ve joined several clubs, participated in community service and have done relatively well in general. However, reading a lot of the posts in the “Chance Me” thread I’ve noticed that there seems to be a HUGE gap between those who cushion their apps to make project themselves as dedicated and those who TRULY are. It usually lies within the ECs. </p>
<p>I’ve reconsidered the extra curricular’s I’ve been taking and have a nagging suspicion that it may be all too, well… generic. I’m in Key Club, Art Club, Invisible Children (philanthropic club that raises money for kids in Uganda), Junior World Affairs Council (attends delegations, hosts an Italian Exchange program, various global community service projects in partnership with UNICLEF), and French Club(completely useless, we do like 1 thing the entire year which is selling French Euro chocolates… this is disappointing since I’m genuinely interested in French arch, art, culture, etc, etc.). Although these are clubs I’m actually interested in, involvement with the clubs seem limited to meetings and occasional projects–and even those sound better on paper than they really are. Even though I really would like to be an officer for Art Club, Invisible Children and French Club, I’m not sure I have what it takes to be elected.</p>
<p>Anyways, my only real passion is in art. As of now, I’m in AP Studio Art and participate in a Modern museum’s teen artist program (it’s a free program for a selected amount of high schoolers). I plan on taking AP Art all 3 years and I will probably do one more year of the Modern’s program. I also plan on entering competitions (local contests, reflections, scholastics, etc., etc.) and getting published in the school Lit Mag throughout the next 3 years. Junior year, I’ll apply to the Marie Welsh Sharpe Summer Seminar although I doubt I’ll be accepted. Anyways, it’ll be worth a shot.</p>
<p>For architecture, I know for sure that junior and senior year I’ll attend the ACE Mentorship program. Also senior year, if it’s not too conflicting with my schedule, I would also like to be a part of AIA’s Exploring Architecture program. If possible, I’ll attend Cornell’s Summer Intro to Arch. Program (which costs a crazy 5k!). Summer 2011 and 2012 I am determined to intern at an architecture firm. They usually reject us high schoolers but I REALLY need the experience.</p>
<p>Um… so I’ve stated pretty much everything of importance to me. Being in StuCO last year, having 6 or 7 years of piano lessons and making JV1 tennis all seem irrelevant since I’ve quit. I don’t think I’ll end up mentioning it at all in my app two years from now. Although I’m pretty strong when it comes to outside of school programs, for leadership and community service stuff, I’m completely lost. Working at a soup kitchen, library or retirement home seems all too boring. And what does having 200 hours for Key Club even prove? </p>
<p>From arch students, all I hear is WORK ON YOUR PORTFOLIO!!! I know the porfolio is basically the deciding factor in B.Arch admissions, but what can I do to really be a stand out applicant?</p>
<p>Thanks for reading this! I could really use the help:)</p>