Extracurriculars for architecture major applicant

Hi @Gygy

Thanks for asking this question. My dad's an architect so I asked him what he thinks about this. And he had some ideas.

The first one depends on where you apply, you want to look as competitive as possible compared to the incoming cohorts applying. So if you are applying to Cornell or Barnard/Columbia or USC, you want to have lots of impressive ECs like leadership positions, community service, and volunteering. Why? Because Elite schools still have an expectation that their admits are great people with lots of talents.

Specific to architecture is the notion that you should be able to express yourself intelligently through your voice and your hand (drawing). You can't just talk yourself through a presentation without showing your classmates, teachers, and clients what you mean graphically using your own aesthetic. So besides being a great orator, you have to be a good renderer.

So my dad thinks joining clubs like Debate Team, Con. Law and Model UN will give you some good air time to learn how to make arguments to defend your ideas. And then taking AP 2-D Art, AP 3-D Art, and AP drawing will give you some good drawing and illustration techniques. There is no expectation for you to design buildings so don't worry about that. That's why you go to Architecture School.

With regards to ECs, he thinks that you should learn the most popular CAD design programs, and you can self-study them or take classes at your community college for that. This would be like Revit, SketchUp, or AutoCAD. etc. When you submit your portfolio, make sure you show a variety of mediums, not just drawings. So you might include paintings, sculptures, 3D printed projects, pencil drawings, pen and ink, pastels, pottery, knitted pieces, etc.

And if you are doing a Varsity Sport, continue doing that. If you are a theater kid or a dancer or musician, or a singer, keep doing that.

Good luck.