Architecture

The Bachelor of Science in Architecture at Cornell University offers students an in-depth interdisciplinary education that synthesizes art, science, technology, and environmental stewardship to prepare future leaders in the field of architecture. This program combines rigorous coursework, hands-on studio projects, and innovative research opportunities to cultivate creative problem-solving skills and a comprehensive understanding of architectural design, history, theory, and technology. Students engage with a multidisciplinary learning environment that emphasizes sustainable design principles, structural systems, urban planning, and digital fabrication, equipping them with the technical proficiency and conceptual clarity needed to shape built environments responsibly and artistically. The program encourages critical thinking, collaborative work, and the development of strong communication skills, allowing students to effectively articulate their ideas and adapt to the evolving demands of the profession. Through a series of progressively advanced studios, seminars, and collaborative projects with faculty and industry partners, students gain practical experience in design development, construction documentation, and project management. The curriculum also emphasizes ethical considerations and the social impact of architecture, fostering a sense of social responsibility and commitment to community engagement. The program's state-of-the-art facilities, including design studios, digital labs, and fabrication workshops, provide an ideal environment for experimentation and innovation. Additionally, students have opportunities to participate in study abroad programs, internships, and research initiatives, broadening their global perspective and professional network. Upon graduation, students are well-prepared to pursue careers in architectural practice, urban planning, sustainable design, and related fields, or to continue their education through advanced degrees. The Cornell Bachelor of Science in Architecture combines academic excellence with a commitment to fostering creative, responsible, and forward-thinking architects who will shape the future of the built environment.

First Year

Fall Semester

• ARCH 1101 - Design I (6 credits)
• ARCH 1501 - Representation I: Freehand Architectural Drawing (3 credits)
• ARCH 1611 - Environmental Systems I: Site and Sustainability (3 credits)
• ARCH 1801 - History of Architecture I (3 credits)
• Out-of-Department Elective (First-Year Writing Seminar suggested)* (3 credits)

Total: 18

Spring Semester

• ARCH 1102 - Design II (6 credits)
• ARCH 1502 - Representation II: Media of Representation (3 credits)
• ARCH 1612 - Structural Concepts (3 credits)
• ARCH 1802 - History of Architecture II (3 credits)
• Free Out-of-Department Elective* (3 credits)

Total: 18

Second Year

Fall Semester

• ARCH 2101 - Design III (6 credits)
• ARCH 2301 - Architectural Analysis I: Buildings, Drawings, and Texts (3 credits)
• ARCH 2613 - Structural Systems (3 credits)
• ARCH 2614 - Building Technology I: Materials and Methods (3 credits)
• Free Out-of-Department Elective* (3 credits)

Total: 18

Spring Semester

• ARCH 2102 - Design IV (6 credits)
• ARCH 2615 - Building Technology II: Structural Elements (3 credits)
• ARCH 2616 - Environmental Systems II: Building Dynamics (3 credits)
• Out-of-Department Elective (MQR suggested)* (3 credits)
• Free Out-of-Department Elective* (3 credits)

Total: 18

Third Year

During the third year, half the class is at Cornell in Rome each semester taking the core studio and ARCH 3301. Students are assigned to the fall or spring semester in Rome through a lottery process. Those not in Rome are primarily in Ithaca taking the Ithaca-based design studio.

Rome: Fall or Spring Semester

• ARCH 3101 - Design V (fall)/ARCH 3102 - Design VI (spring) (6 credits)
• ARCH 3301 - Architectural Analysis II: Architecture, the City, and Landscape (3 credits)
• Out-of-Department Elective (art suggested)* (3 credits)
• Departmental Elective (architectural history  suggested)* (3 credits)

Total: 15

Ithaca: Fall or Spring Semester

• ARCH 3101 - Design V (fall)/ARCH 3102 - Design VI (spring) (6 credits)
• Free Departmental Elective* (3 credits)
• Free Departmental Elective* (3 credits)
• Free Out-of-Department Elective* (3 credits)
• Free Out-of-Department Elective* (3 credits)

Total: 18

Fourth Year

Fall Semester

• ARCH 4101 - Design VII (6 credits)
• Departmental Elective (architectural history suggested)* (3 credits)
• Departmental Elective (theory suggested)* (3 credits)
• Out-of-Department Elective (MQR or PBS suggested)* (3 credits)
• Out-of-Department Elective (Art)* (3 credits)

Total: 18

Spring Semester

**Notes:

• ARCH 4102 - Design VIII (6 credits)
• ARCH 5201 - Professional Practice (3 credits)**
• Departmental Elective (architecture, culture, society suggested) * (3 credits)
• Free Out-of-Department Elective (required directed elective suggested)** (3 credits)
• Free Departmental Elective** (3 credits)
• ARCH 5201 can be taken in the fourth or fifth year without petition.
• The required directed elective (RDE) is a Free Departmental or free Out-of-Department Elective. It can be taken in the ARCH 4101, 4102, or 5101 semester without petition. The RDE must be completed before thesis.

Total: 18

Fifth Year

Fall Semester

• ARCH 5101 - Design IX (6 credits)
• Out-of-Department Elective (humanities suggested)* (3 credits)
• Free Departmental Elective* (3 credits)
• Free Out-of-Department Elective* (3 credits)
• Free Departmental Elective* (3 credits)

Total: 18

Spring Semester

• ARCH 5902 - Design X Thesis (8 credits)
• Free Departmental Elective (3 credits)
• Free Out-of-Department Elective (3 credits)
• Free Out-of-Department Elective (3 credits)

Total: 17

Total Academic Credits: 176

 * Elective courses may be switched between different semesters, as long as total distribution requirements are met (except that the First-Year Writing Seminar should be taken in the first year).

Required Departmental Non-Elective Courses:

Electives:

Required Departmental Electives:

Required Out-of-Department Electives:

Requirements

Required Interview

The Department of Architecture requires a portfolio interview for every applicant to the B.Arch. degree program. The purpose of the interview is to explore an applicant's interest in architecture and to understand how that interest developed. A formal portfolio need not be presented at the interview, but the interviewers do expect applicants to bring samples of their artwork.

Important: The interviews are evaluative and carry significant weight in the admissions selection process. Please request an interview only if you are certain that you will be applying to the architecture major. First-year interviews are scheduled in the fall. Transfer interviews are scheduled in the fall and spring.

Interviews can be completed by:

• Scheduling an appointment with a Cornell architecture faculty member
• Scheduling an appointment with an architecture alumnus near where applicants live

On-campus and alumni interviews can only be requested via the online Interview Request Form, which will be available starting on August 15. Interviews will not be arranged over the phone. If neither the on-campus nor off-campus interview opportunities meet an applicant's needs, please contact the admissions office to determine if there is an alternate option.

The deadlines to complete an architecture interview are:

• November 1 (early decision first-year applicants)
• January 2 (regular decision first-year applicants)
• October 1 (spring transfer applicants)
• March 1 (fall transfer applicants)

First-year, regular decision applicants must request an interview no later than Monday, December 19, 2016. 

It is very important to note that the majority of successful applicants to the B.Arch. program complete an in-person interview. In cases where an applicant absolutely cannot schedule an in-person interview (due to distance, illness, or family emergency), applicants may respond to the interview questions in an essay form. Applicants who are close to Ithaca or have alumni interviewers in their area are expected to complete an in-person interview, not the essay. If you have extenuating circumstances, as described above, the essay is an acceptable alternative.

• Interview Essay Guidelines
• Interview Request Form

Please note that the optional Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network (CAAAN) interview "meetings" have a different purpose, format, content, and line of questioning, as compared to the B.Arch. portfolio interview. CAAAN interviews do not satisfy the B.Arch. interview requirement.

Portfolio Requirements

A portfolio must be submitted for an application to be considered. Applicants to the B.Arch. program may submit their portfolio either online via Cornell AAP SlideRoom (preferred) or in hard copy. The content of the portfolio remains the same regardless of the format of submission. Samples of freehand drawing are required. In addition to drawings, please include a variety of work from media such as painting, sculpture, graphics, art photography, woodworking, ceramics, or any other visual media that demonstrate interest, experience, and aptitude in creative and graphic areas.

Please submit 15–20 items and present the material in a neat, well-organized manner.

Label each portfolio item with:

• Information on the medium used
• Whether the project was done independently or in a class
• The original size of the work
• A one- or two-sentence comment about each piece

If any project, drawing, or model has been produced by several designers or if the design was produced in a professional setting, each drawing must be labeled, clearly stating the number of designers, which drawings were produced by the applicant and a list of the names of all members of the group project. If the project was produced in an office, an office setting, or as an assistant to an author, then the office name, supervisor, and all members of the team must be identified.

If submitting in hard copy, the first page of the portfolio must contain the following: "This portfolio contains the design work of [applicant's name here]." This is not necessary for online submissions. A hard copy portfolio should not include the original works. Reproductions should be high-quality photographs (minimum 3" x 5") or photocopies in a flat binder no larger than 10" x 13" with the applicant's name clearly displayed on the outside of the binder. Please include a loose piece of paper within your portfolio with the following information:

• Date of birth
• Type of applicant (First-year or Transfer)
• List of other colleges/universities you are considering

Hard copy portfolios will be returned at the end of the selection process only if a stamped, self-addressed envelope or mailing packet is included.

Please submit the portfolio either online or in hard copy — do not submit both ways.

The deadlines for portfolio submissions are:

• November 1 (early decision first-year applicants)
• January 2 (regular decision first-year applicants)
• October 1 (spring transfer applicants)
• March 1 (fall transfer applicants)

If submitting a hard copy portfolio, please mail it directly to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
Cornell University
235 Sibley Dome
Ithaca, NY 14853-6701

Portfolios are added to the applicant's admissions file for review by the architecture department admissions committee.

Secondary School Subjects/Standardized Test Requirements

Sixteen units of secondary school subjects must be completed, including four of mathematics (including plane geometry, intermediate algebra, and trigonometry), four of English, and one of physics. Recommended: One unit of calculus and three or four of foreign language (three years of one language or two years each of two languages).

• The SAT or ACT is required
• The TOEFL and/or IELTS is required of all international applicants whose first language is not English
• The recommended minimum scores are:
  • TOEFL - Score of 100
  • IELTS - Score of 7

Please note: as of summer 2016, the SAT Math Subject Test is no longer required for applicants to the B.Arch. program. 

Tuition and fees for the Bachelor of Science in Architecture at Cornell University vary depending on residency status and year of study. For undergraduates residing in New York State, the estimated annual tuition is approximately $63,200, whereas for out-of-state students, it is around $63,200 as well, with additional fees. These fees include charges for student services, health insurance, and activity fees, which together can amount to an extra $3,200 per year. Financial aid is available for eligible students through federal and institutional grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and loans. Cornell's Office of Financial Aid provides comprehensive assistance and guidance to prospective and current students to help manage the cost of education. Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership, and extracurricular involvement, while need-based aid assesses a family's financial situation to determine the amount of funding support. Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile to be considered for institutional aid. In addition to scholarships and grants, students can participate in work-study programs that allow them to gain work experience while earning money to offset educational expenses. Cornell also offers loan options, including federal Direct loans and private loans, which can be used to cover remaining costs after grants and scholarships are applied. The university recommends careful financial planning and encourages students to explore external scholarship opportunities from private organizations and state programs. Students can also opt for payment plans that distribute tuition and fee payments across the academic year to ease financial burden. Graduate architecture students have different funding options, including fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships, which provide stipends and tuition remission. Overall, Cornell University strives to make its architecture program accessible through a combination of institutional financial aid, external funding opportunities, and flexible payment options, ensuring that talented students from diverse backgrounds can pursue their educational goals in architecture.

The Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) program at Cornell University is a comprehensive professional degree designed to prepare students for careers in architecture, urban planning, and related fields. The program emphasizes a rigorous curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, aiming to foster innovative design thinking, critical analysis, and sustainable development practices. Students are introduced to fundamental concepts such as architectural design, history, technology, and environmental systems, progressing through increasingly complex projects that challenge their creativity and technical proficiency. The curriculum incorporates studio-based learning, which serves as the core of the educational experience, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts and develop their individual design voice.

Throughout the program, students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including computer labs equipped with the latest software and physical studios for hands-on model making. Cornell's architecture faculty comprises leading professionals and scholars who mentor students and facilitate research opportunities in various specializations, including historic preservation, landscape architecture, sustainable design, and digital fabrication. The program also encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, connecting students with other departments such as urban planning, engineering, and environmental science to solve complex architectural problems.

A distinctive aspect of Cornell’s B.Arch. program is its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, preparing students to address pressing global challenges through innovative design solutions. The curriculum integrates lectures, seminars, and workshops that cover the cultural, technical, and ecological aspects of architecture. Students are expected to develop a comprehensive understanding of architectural history and theory, alongside mastery of construction techniques and material science.

In addition to curricular focus, Cornell offers numerous opportunities for extracurricular involvement, including internships, study abroad programs, and participation in design competitions. The school maintains strong connections with industry professionals and alumni, facilitating networking and career placement. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to pursue licensure and enter professional practice, or to continue their education through graduate studies in architecture or related disciplines.

The program’s ultimate goal is to produce architects who are innovative, ethically grounded, and socially conscious, capable of designing spaces that improve quality of life and contribute positively to the built environment. The B.Arch. program typically spans five years, culminating in a thesis project that demonstrates students' mastery of architectural design and research. Overall, Cornell’s architecture education combines a robust academic foundation with practical experience, fostering the development of creative and responsible professionals prepared to shape the future of architecture.