<p>How important are extra-curricular activities for applying to 5-year architecture programs?</p>
<p>The portfolio is the critical measure in the BArch programs. The portfolio should demonstarte that the student’s ECs include artistic endeavors.</p>
<p>I think it depends on the EC. As an athlete I’ve always thought highly of kids that devote the time and energy that it takes to be part of a varsity team, and I’m sure that is taken into consideration. But we were told by at least two directors of admissions that students would not have the time to play varsity sports and do the BArch program. This is because you spend so many afternoons in studio and you can’t miss this time for practice or games. So I would think that they’re not putting as much value on sports as other ECs.</p>
<p>On the flip side, if you’re painting murals in the city, working in a Habitat for Humanity program or running the Art club, these are things that are very focused on art and construction and I would think would carry a lot of weight.</p>
<p>Anything else would be as important in a BArch as in any other major - they want to know what you’re doing outside of school: watching tv or doing something productive?</p>
<p>I’d like to know, too.</p>
<p>Most of my ECs are things I enjoy putting my time in for. For example, xcountry, track, community service, and illustrating/designing shirts (not a school club).</p>
<p>I think any program will value that a student has been committed to endeavors outside the classroom over time with dedication, significant contributions, leadership, and achievements even if they do not expect you to continue those ECs while in their program. It still says something about the individual. </p>
<p>My kid is applying to MArch programs and has attended a panel on which reps from the graduate programs sat. I know you are asking about BArch programs but I’m bringing this up as an even more extreme situation as grad students don’t do ECs. However, my D said that they said they looked favorably upon athletes, for example, (she mentioned this to me as she is a varsity sport athlete in college, and was in HS as well), as it showed them about time management and committment and achievement and so forth. This isn’t the main factor of getting into college or graduate school but they are looking at PEOPLE, not just stats and what sets one person apart from another. Yes, you have to have the talent (portfolio), the academic achievement (grades, test scores, academic achievements), essays, recs, etc. but how you spend your time and your level of commitment and achievement in endeavors also show things about you as a person. Such things can put you in a favorable light. Someone who has achieved highly in their ECs with huge time commitments, all the while being a top student and also having arch talent, has qualities they may be looking for considering the intensity of arch programs.</p>