Portfolio for undergrad architecture?

AustinAbraham
Tue, 12 Nov 2013 15:32:53 +0000

I’ve applied to a few colleges to study Political Science and have gotten back acceptance letters from some already, but I really find interest in architecture. Something about it is so interesting to me as I’ve always been able to draw good, and doing Drafting this year I’ve came to see that I have an uncanny ability to use CAD and to sketch scale drawings. This kinda pushed me to decide to apply for architecture, and if i do go for architecture, I want to be challenged. So I’m thinking about applying to UPenn and maybe Cornell but I have some questions.

I was told it was optional to submit a portfolio but I’m definitely going to. What goes in the portfolio though? I was going to put like 2-3 CAD things (3D and 2D), like 4-5 photography pieces, like 5 or so drawings/pen sketches, and 2 pictures of these old fashioned pipes I carved.

Is it bad that I draw most of my stuff in pen and they are not “real” drawings? (They aren’t like drawings of trees and stuff)

Is it true that to get into art programs you don’t need to have the ridiculous grades that Ivy League schools normally require? (I have a 3.5 but their architecture programs look amazing!)

Thoughts on the pipes and CAD stuff? Will it help to include them?

Sorry for all the questions, it would just be a dream come true to get into one of these architecture schools.