Guidance for applicants to architecture schools.
AP is an online tutoring program where students build portfolios grounded in their own creative interests.
For undergraduate and graduate architecture school applications, all over the world. Some of the schools our students have chosen to attend:
With the help of AP’s distinctive program, my son was granted admission to numerous US architecture programs with single-digit acceptance rates, and most importantly, he was admitted to his first-choice school. I only hope he will have professors who rise to AP’s level of inspiration and engagement! We recommend AP without qualification.
N.L – BArch 2024 Entry
Resources
Articles and videos to gather information.
Tutoring
Online monthly enrollments that speak to a student’s personal skills and motivations, for making portfolios and essays.
Markup
Offline tutoring in the form of written feedback on draft portfolios and essays.
About
Sebastian graduated with first-class honours in BSc Architecture from the Bartlett UCL, and completed his MPhil in Architecture and Urban Design at Cambridge (ARB/RIBA Part 2). He now runs a practice in addition to AP. He is also a visiting critic for schools of architecture in the UK and US.
As a student at the Bartlett, Sebastian served as Senior Mentor to first year students, and at Cambridge he taught the University’s annual summer school to architecture applicants.
He has worked for UK and US-based architects and artists under scholarships in addition to his own practice. He tutored for two separate admissions agencies before starting AP in 2018.
Every year, Sebastian manages around 10 to 15 different tutors and around 40 students. He keeps AP at this relatively small scale for the purposes of quality control and effective tutoring.
Our Tutors
AP is made up of further tutors, all of whom graduated from top architecture schools globally and now work in the most competitive positions within the field. Our tutors include graduates from Harvard GSD, MIT, Yale, Cornell, the Bartlett School of Architecture UCL, the Architectural Association, as well as employees at Zaha Hadid Architects, SOM and Foster + Partners.
Methods
AP’s tutors work individually with each student to identify their core creative interests and explore how these can be expressed architecturally. The process combines visual, verbal, and written methods. Students develop exploratory projects that speak directly to their interests, discuss ideas in depth, and refine their thinking in application essays, portfolios, and interview preparation.
Rather than focusing purely on technical instruction, the priority is helping students communicate their thinking with clarity, consistency, and authenticity. The results depend on what a student brings to the process. A student’s own curiosity and diligence help them get the most from the guidance. By connecting personal creative interests to architectural themes, students produce portfolios that accurately reflect their thinking, creating applications that are both compelling and uniquely their own.
–
seb@architectureprep.com
Portfolio review: student who chose Cornell BArch.
This student came to us around a year before his application deadlines. We had a good amount of time with him to give feedback on his portfolio skills and personal statements. We also included some…
BArch application portfolio requirements explained: what top architecture schools expect.
Colleges like jargon. This articles aims to explain it all. An example of a cover page from a BArch application portfolio. If you’re applying to a Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) program, chances are you’ll need…
Portfolio review: student who chose Cambridge BA.
This student came to us around six months before her deadlines. Her top choice school was between the Bartlett and Cambridge, and she was accepted to both for their undergraduate programs (BSc/BA Architecture). This is…
Six pages from an accepted portfolio to the Bartlett School of Architecture UCL.
2025 Entry, BSc ARB/RIBA Part 1. Every year the Bartlett UCL attracts thousands of applicants from schools all over the world. The most popular degree is the three year BSc in Architecture (RIBA/ARB Part 1).…
Two examples of good artwork in an accepted architecture school application portfolio.
Undergraduate application portfolios require artwork. Some artwork can be very architectural in nature. These examples come from an accepted BArch application to WashU, Carnegie Mellon, UVA, Tulane and Syracuse.
Portfolio review: student who chose Manchester School of Architecture BA.
This particular student came to us with just a few pieces of work. He was looking to go to Manchester School of Architecture, and over a few months we gave feedback on his portfolio development…
Preparing for undergraduate architecture school interviews.
Interviewing for architecture schools can be daunting. The best interviews are relaxed, conversational and chatty. Getting to a point where you can talk about your work in this way can be hard though. Read on…
Portfolio review: student who chose USC BArch.
This student’s portfolio was accepted at Pratt, USC, Carnegie Mellon and Northeastern for BArch and BS programs for 2023 entry. She applied as a high school senior from California. We spent a few months with…
Harvard GSD student reviews her accepted architecture school portfolio (MArch).
We chat with Emily Majors, a Harvard GSD student in her final year of the MArch I program about the portfolio she used to apply to the GSD. Emily applied from Texas A&M with a…
MIT student reviews his accepted architecture school portfolio (MArch).
We chat with Alek Dojnow, an MIT student in his final year of the MArch I program. Alek runs us through the portfolio he used in his applications. He applied from the Bartlett School of…
HKU student reviews her accepted architecture school portfolio to Cambridge, HKU and the RCA (MPhil, MArch, MA).
Maria, an HKU student in her last year of the MArch program, talks to us about her applications to architecture school. She runs us through the portfolio she used to apply, which was also accepted…
Writing your best architecture school personal statement.
Whether you’re applying through the Common App, UCAS, or directly to architecture schools, the personal statement is a crucial aspect of the admissions process. There are three main points you’ll need to hit. Read on…
Making an architecture school application portfolio.
The architecture school portfolio is the most important admissions requirement, especially for top schools like Cornell AAP and the Bartlett UCL. Read on to get all the right information to make a positive start on…
Contact us to learn more.
Your message has been sent
