Nora is 14, a freshman at Walt Whitman High School with a 3.9 GPA and every box checked, but nothing that makes her stand out. This is the plan Scaffold built for a high-achieving student who needs to find her spike.
This is the actual intake form the Kaplan family completed. It took about 10 minutes. No jargon, no trick questions. The answers below produced the full strategy you can read in the other tab.
Nora at a glance: Current freshman, 3.9 unweighted GPA, all honors with an AP Human Geography 5. Strongest assets are her academic consistency, her verbal and written skills, and a latent design/architecture interest that she hasn't recognized as a strength yet. Main vulnerability is a lack of differentiation: her profile is currently interchangeable with thousands of other suburban overachievers at schools exactly like Whitman. Projected SAT range: 1480-1540. Two-parent household, $235K combined income, significant home equity ($540K) that complicates CSS Profile calculations.
| School | Tier | Est. Net Cost/Yr | Financial Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard | Reach | $18,000-25,000 | Moderate |
| Penn | Reach | $18,000-28,000 | Moderate |
| Columbia | Reach | $18,000-28,000 | Moderate |
| Brown | Reach | $18,000-25,000 | Moderate |
| Cornell AAP | Reach | $18,000-28,000 | Moderate |
| Georgetown | Reach | $40,000-52,000 | High |
| Johns Hopkins | Target-Reach | $22,000-35,000 | Moderate-High |
| WashU (Sam Fox) | Target-Reach | $20,000-30,000 | Moderate |
| Tufts | Target | $22,000-32,000 | Moderate |
| UVA (Out-of-State) | Target | $28,000-38,000 | Moderate |
| Northeastern | Target | $25,000-40,000 | Moderate-High |
| UMD Honors | Safety | $12,000-15,000 | Very Low |
Sarah and Ethan, you said something in your intake that I want to address before anything else: "What makes Nora different from the other 10,000 girls at competitive suburban public schools doing the exact same things?"
Nothing. Right now, nothing.
That's not a failure. It's a diagnosis. And the fact that you can see it clearly at 14 instead of discovering it at 17, in the middle of application season, when it's too late, gives you three years to fix it.
Every strong college application tells a coherent story. Looking at Nora's profile, four threads emerge, but only if we develop the one she's been ignoring.
This is the anchor. Nora notices how spaces work. She rearranges rooms, sketches floor plans, stares at buildings. She processes the world visually and spatially in a way that most students don't. This thread runs through architecture, design, urban planning, and the way physical environments shape human behavior. When admissions officers read about the girl who spent 45 minutes studying the Hirshhorn's architecture while her classmates walked past, they'll remember her.
Nora is a strong writer by every measure. She gets A's on essays consistently. This thread supports the application broadly and makes her essays sharp. It's the connector, not the spike.
Whitman is one of the most competitive public high schools in the country. A 3.9 UW GPA with the most rigorous course load available is a real achievement. This thread is table stakes at the schools she's targeting, not a differentiator.
The food bank volunteering, Model UN, and any future community engagement around design and public space. A project that connects her design thinking to community impact would make this thread sing.
Twelve schools. Four reaches, two reach-targets, three targets, and one safety with a secret weapon.
Sarah, Ethan, I need to say something before we go school by school. You ranked prestige #3 and then said, "it matters to us more than we want to admit." Here's my honesty: the Ivy League is not a financial plan. It's a brand. At your income level, the Ivies that meet full need and exclude home equity are actually more affordable than Georgetown. Meanwhile, UMD with Honors and in-state tuition will cost you $12,000-15,000/year, and its architecture program is nationally ranked.
Cambridge, MA · ~3.5% admit rate · ~7,000 undergrads
Why it's on the list: Harvard meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, and they don't include home equity in their calculation for families under $240K. At $235K, your $540K in home equity doesn't count against you. That's a massive advantage.
Academic fit: No undergraduate architecture major, but the Visual and Environmental Studies program and GSD cross-registration let Nora explore design thinking within a liberal arts framework.
Cultural fit: Large Jewish community, active Hillel. Can exacerbate achievement-anxiety patterns Nora already shows.
The honest truth: At 3.5% admission, this is a lottery ticket. The design interest differentiates her from the Bethesda Model UN crowd. Apply, don't obsess.
Estimated net cost: $18,000-25,000/year · 4-year total: $72,000-100,000 · Risk: MODERATE. Home equity exclusion helps enormously.
Philadelphia, PA · ~5.4% admit rate · ~10,000 undergrads
Why it's on the list: Penn has the Weitzman School of Design. Undergrads can access architecture, urban studies, and design courses. Meets 100% of need with no loans.
Academic fit: Urban Studies major with Weitzman course access. Combination of humanities and design thinking is exactly what Penn values.
Cultural fit: Philadelphia is a real city. Jewish community among the strongest in the Ivy League. Pre-professional and ambitious campus culture.
The honest truth: Penn DOES include home equity. At $540K, expect $5,000-10,000/year more in expected family contribution compared to Harvard.
Estimated net cost: $18,000-28,000/year · 4-year total: $72,000-112,000 · Risk: MODERATE.
New York, NY · ~3.9% admit rate · ~8,500 undergrads
Why it's on the list: For architecture and design, there is no better city than New York. GSAPP is world-class. The Core Curriculum feeds broad intellectual curiosity.
Academic fit: Art History, Visual Arts, and Urban Studies are all strong. New York itself becomes the classroom.
Cultural fit: Enormous Jewish community on and off campus. Can be overwhelming for an anxious overachiever. The pace is real.
The honest truth: Columbia counts home equity aggressively. Cost of living in New York adds up in ways that don't show up on the financial aid letter.
Estimated net cost: $18,000-28,000/year · 4-year total: $72,000-112,000 · Risk: MODERATE.
Providence, RI · ~5% admit rate · ~7,000 undergrads
Why it's on the list: The open curriculum means no distribution requirements. Brown/RISD partnership lets students cross-register at one of the best design schools in the world.
Academic fit: Brown/RISD Dual Degree is the dream scenario (~20 spots/year, extremely competitive). Even without it, Brown students can take RISD architecture courses.
Cultural fit: The least pre-professional Ivy. Students explore because they want to, not because they're chasing a grade. For Nora, who has spent her life doing what looks good, Brown's culture could be the permission she needs. Solid Jewish community.
The honest truth: Home equity is included but capped. Cross-registration with RISD is a selling point, but don't build the plan around the dual degree. Treat it as upside.
Estimated net cost: $18,000-25,000/year · 4-year total: $72,000-100,000 · Risk: MODERATE.
Ithaca, NY · AAP ~10-12% admit rate · ~15,000 undergrads
Why it's on the list: Cornell AAP offers a five-year B.Arch, one of the most respected professional architecture programs in the country. This is the school the design thread was built for.
Academic fit: Fully accredited professional degree. Studio work from the first semester. If she applies with a portfolio showing spatial thinking, she tells a story no other Whitman applicant is telling. The risk: B.Arch is a five-year commitment.
Cultural fit: Ithaca is rural and isolated. Brutal winters. But the AAP cohort is small and tight-knit (~40-50/class). Strong Cornell Hillel.
The honest truth: AAP requires/strongly encourages a portfolio. If Nora develops one, her adjusted admit rate is ~14%. Without it, she's at ~8%. Cornell counts home equity.
Estimated net cost: $18,000-28,000/year · 5-year total: $90,000-140,000 · Risk: MODERATE. Fifth year adds cost, but B.Arch means no grad school needed.
Washington, DC · ~12% admit rate · ~7,500 undergrads
Why it's on the list: Ethan went to Georgetown Law. The family connection is real. Georgetown considers legacy.
Academic fit: Georgetown has no architecture program. If the design thread takes hold, Georgetown becomes less strategically important. Strong for government, international affairs, humanities.
Cultural fit: DC is home. Nora would be 20 minutes from the house. That's a pro and a con. Preppy, Catholic-influenced, ambitious. Jewish community is smaller than at the Ivies.
Estimated net cost: $40,000-52,000/year · 4-year total: $160,000-208,000 · Risk: HIGH.
Baltimore, MD · ~6.5% admit rate · ~6,000 undergrads
Why it's on the list: Sarah, your NIH colleague is right. Hopkins is 40 minutes from home with genuine prestige. Humanities and social sciences are underrated.
Academic fit: No architecture program, but strong in History of Art, International Studies, Writing Seminars. Baltimore's architectural landscape provides real-world context.
Cultural fit: Baltimore is not Bethesda. Strong Jewish community and active Hillel. Student body skews intense and pre-professional.
The honest truth: Meets 100% of need but uses CSS Profile with home equity. Admit rate has dropped to under 7%, making it a reach in all but name. Maryland residency can be a subtle positive.
Estimated net cost: $22,000-35,000/year · 4-year total: $88,000-140,000 · Risk: MODERATE-HIGH.
St. Louis, MO · ~11% admit rate · ~8,000 undergrads
Why it's on the list: Sam Fox School is one of the best undergraduate architecture programs in the country. Offers both a B.A. in Architecture and a five-year B.Arch. Meets 100% of need. Almost nobody from Whitman applies here.
Academic fit: The hidden gem for the design thread. Studio work from the beginning. B.A. option gives four-year flexibility without the five-year B.Arch commitment.
Cultural fit: Midwest. You said you'd "consider for the right school." Campus is gorgeous and collaborative. Strong Jewish community historically. Far from home, which could be exactly what Nora needs.
The honest truth: WashU caps home equity at 1.2x income (~$282K, not $540K). That saves $5,000-8,000/year compared to schools that count full home equity. This could be one of the best financial outcomes among the selective schools.
Estimated net cost: $20,000-30,000/year · 4-year total: $80,000-120,000 · Risk: MODERATE.
Medford/Somerville, MA · ~10% admit rate · ~6,500 undergrads
Why it's on the list: Nora's friend's sister goes there and loves it. That personal connection matters. Tufts is one of the most underrated schools in the country.
Academic fit: SMFA (School of the Museum of Fine Arts) access for studio art and design courses. Strong in international relations, environmental studies, humanities. Room to explore if architecture isn't the path.
Cultural fit: The "anti-Ivy Ivy." More collaborative than competitive. Active Jewish community. For Nora, who performs under pressure but doesn't thrive under it, Tufts might be healthier.
Estimated net cost: $22,000-32,000/year · 4-year total: $88,000-128,000 · Risk: MODERATE.
Charlottesville, VA · ~18% OOS admit rate · ~17,000 undergrads
Why it's on the list: Lots of Whitman kids go to UVA. The School of Architecture offers B.S. in Architecture and B.A. in Urban and Environmental Planning.
Academic fit: Strong architecture programs. Can apply directly to the School of Architecture or enter the College and explore. Active Jewish community.
The honest truth: As an out-of-state student, the premium is significant. AccessUVA pledges to meet full need. Net cost will be higher than in-state options but potentially competitive with private schools.
Estimated net cost: $28,000-38,000/year · 4-year total: $112,000-152,000 · Risk: MODERATE.
Boston, MA · ~5% admit rate · ~16,000 undergrads
Why it's on the list: The co-op program. Students alternate coursework with paid professional work at architecture firms, design studios, and planning offices. Graduates have resumes most 22-year-olds can't match.
Academic fit: Strong Architecture program (B.Arch and B.S.). Co-op placements at firms in Boston, New York, DC, and internationally.
The honest truth: Does not consistently meet 100% of need. Offers significant merit scholarships. The co-op generates $15K-25K/year during co-op semesters. Five-year B.Arch timeline means five years of tuition.
Estimated net cost: $25,000-40,000/year · 4-year (or 5-year) total: $100,000-200,000 · Risk: MODERATE-HIGH.
College Park, MD · ~45% admit (~20-25% Honors) · ~31,000 undergrads
Why it's on the list: Sarah, Ethan, I know. Nora said "that's where you go if you don't get in anywhere." I'm going to spend more time on UMD than on any other school on this list, because the gap between what you believe about Maryland and what's actually true is costing you money.
The reality check: UMD's School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation is one of the top architecture programs in the country. Design Intelligence consistently ranks it in the top 10-15 nationally. The Honors College provides a small-college experience within a major research university. Honors students routinely get into top graduate and professional programs.
| Scenario | Tuition | Room/Board | Scholarships | Net Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-state, no merit | $10,800 | $13,700 | $0 | ~$26,300/yr |
| Honors + merit ($5K) | $10,800 | $13,700 | -$5,000 | ~$21,300/yr |
| Banneker/Key partial | $10,800 | $13,700 | -$12,000+ | ~$14,300/yr |
| Full Banneker/Key | $10,800 | $13,700 | Full tuition + stipend | ~$12,000/yr |
Here's what I'd say to Nora directly: the students who thrive at UMD Honors aren't the ones who "settled." They're the ones who chose strategically and then went deep. A student in UMD's architecture program who interns at a top DC firm every summer, wins a national design competition, and graduates debt-free is in a stronger position at 22 than a student who went to Georgetown and owes $150,000.
The Eli factor: If Nora goes to UMD at $14K/year, you save $60K-$100K compared to any Ivy. That money is Eli's freedom.
Estimated net cost: $12,000-15,000/year (with merit) · 4-year total: $48,000-60,000 · Risk: VERY LOW.
Your family's financial picture has specific features that require specific strategies. The home equity treatment is the single biggest variable.
Your home is worth ~$950K, you owe $410K. That leaves $540K in home equity. On the FAFSA, this doesn't exist. On the CSS Profile, most schools ask about it, and many count a portion when calculating what you can afford.
| School | Home Equity Treatment | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard | Excluded (under $240K income) | No impact |
| Brown | Capped at % of income | Moderate |
| WashU | Capped at 1.2x income | Moderate |
| Penn | Included (full) | Significant (+$8-12K/yr) |
| Columbia | Included (aggressive) | Significant |
| Cornell | Included | Significant |
| Georgetown | Included fully | Major |
| Hopkins | Included | Significant |
| Tufts | Included | Significant |
| Northeastern | Included | Significant |
| UVA | FAFSA only | No impact |
| UMD | FAFSA only | No impact |
The 529 strategy: Use Nora's $62K 529 to cover ~$15,500/year for four years. At UMD ($14K/year), the 529 covers almost everything. At an Ivy ($23K/year), it covers two-thirds. Do NOT use Eli's $35K 529 for Nora.
Based on projected parameters at the optimistic profile level. 10,000 simulated outcomes.
Sarah, Ethan, the bottom line: Nora will get into college. Multiple colleges. The question isn't whether. It's where, and at what price. The reach probability of 32% means there's roughly a one-in-three chance she gets into at least one Ivy or equivalent. Those odds are decent but far from certain. The plan is built so that the target and safety schools are genuinely excellent options, not consolation prizes.
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| P(at least one admission) | 99.9% |
| P(at least one REACH admission) | 32% |
| P(at least one TARGET or better) | 78% |
| Median number of acceptances | 3 |
| Mean number of acceptances | 3.4 |
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| P(at least one school under $30K/year) | 75% |
| Median best annual cost | $20,000/year |
| 10th percentile (best case) | $13,000/year |
| 25th percentile | $15,000/year |
| 75th percentile | $30,000/year |
| 90th percentile (worst realistic case) | $40,000/year |
The median outcome is $20,000/year, or $80,000 total for four years. That's inside your stated budget of $35,000-40,000/year with significant room to save for Eli. The worst realistic outcome ($40,000/year) is at the top of your stated budget, and even then, the 529 brings the out-of-pocket down to $24,500/year.
Best financial outcome per simulation
Median: $20,000/yr | Your budget: $35-40K/yr
66% of scenarios come in under $25,000/year. 75% come in under $30,000/year.
Median: 3 acceptances
This models what your financial picture looks like when Eli starts college in 2032-2033, based on what Nora's education costs.
| Scenario | 4-Yr Cost (Nora) | Remaining for Eli by 2032 |
|---|---|---|
| UMD Honors ($14K/yr) | $56,000 | $35K Eli 529 + $120K+ savings |
| Ivy w/ good aid ($22K/yr) | $88,000 | $35K Eli 529 + $80K savings |
| Ivy w/ home equity hit ($30K) | $120,000 | $35K Eli 529 + $40K savings |
| Georgetown ($45K/yr) | $180,000 | $35K Eli 529 + $0 savings |
| Georgetown w/ loans | $200,000+ | Eli is on his own |
Ethan, Sarah, this chart is the reason I keep coming back to UMD. The difference between Nora at $14K/year and Nora at $45K/year isn't just $124,000. It's whether Eli has options. If you spend $180K on Nora, you'll be approaching 60 when Eli starts college, with a depleted savings account and $35K in his 529 that covers one year of state school tuition. That's a tight spot.
The math doesn't mean Nora can't go to an Ivy. It means the decision needs to account for Eli, not just Nora.
When acceptances and aid packages arrive in March and April, here are the five most likely scenarios.
Probability: ~5-8%.
Nora gets into Harvard. The financial aid package comes back at $20,000-25,000/year because Harvard's formula excludes your home equity. The 529 covers $15,500/year, so your true out-of-pocket is $5,000-10,000/year.
4-year total cost: $72,000-100,000 (before 529), or $10,000-38,000 (after 529)
Recommendation: Take it. At this price, Harvard is arguably a better financial deal than most targets on the list because of the home equity exclusion. The $62K 529 does heavy lifting here. And the academic and career outcomes from Harvard justify the remaining cost.
Probability: ~20-25% (Penn, Columbia, Brown, or Cornell)
Nora gets into Penn or Cornell AAP. The aid package comes back at $25,000-30,000/year because they're counting your home equity. After the 529 ($15,500/year), your out-of-pocket is $10,000-15,000/year.
4-year total cost (or 5-year for Cornell B.Arch): $72,000-140,000 (before 529)
Recommendation: Compare the specific offers carefully. If she got into Cornell AAP with strong aid, the architecture-specific benefit may justify a higher price than a general liberal arts Ivy. If she got into Brown and wants the RISD cross-registration, that's worth paying for. If she got into Penn and the aid is $28K/year, compare it to WashU Sam Fox at $25K/year. The prestige difference is small; the financial difference is real.
Negotiation lever: If Harvard offered $20K/year and Penn offered $28K/year, share the Harvard offer with Penn and ask them to reconsider. Schools that meet full need have professional judgment authority to adjust. It doesn't always work, but a competing offer from a peer institution is the strongest card you can play.
Probability: ~25-30%.
Nora gets into WashU Sam Fox and/or Tufts with an aid package of $22,000-28,000/year. These are excellent schools with strong design-adjacent programs, and WashU's home equity cap makes the aid more predictable.
4-year total cost: $88,000-112,000 (before 529)
Recommendation: WashU Sam Fox at $22K/year is one of the best outcomes on this list for the design track. If Nora is serious about architecture, WashU's program is nationally ranked and the financial model works. Tufts is the better option if she's less certain about architecture and wants maximum flexibility. Both are schools you should feel great about.
Probability: ~50-60% (UMD), ~25-30% (Banneker/Key at some level).
Nora is admitted to UMD Honors and receives a Banneker/Key scholarship covering partial or full tuition. Net cost: $12,000-15,000/year. After the 529 ($15,500/year), the cost might be nearly zero.
4-year total cost: $48,000-60,000 (before 529), potentially $0-5,000 (after 529)
Recommendation: If the reaches and targets either don't admit her or come in at $35K+/year, UMD Honors with Banneker/Key is the smart play. Let me say that again: UMD Honors with a merit scholarship, in the architecture program, with DC internship access, at near-zero cost after the 529, is an outstanding outcome. Nora graduates at 22 with no debt, a strong portfolio, work experience at DC architecture firms, and $35K in Eli's 529 untouched.
Probability of being the right call: ~3-5%.
Every offer is either a rejection or comes in at $40K+/year. The aid packages have gaps. The loans required are more than you're willing to take.
Recommendation: A gap year is an option, though it's unlikely to be necessary given the strength of the UMD floor. During a gap year, Nora could work at an architecture firm in DC (even as a file clerk or office assistant, the exposure matters), build her portfolio, and reapply with a stronger design narrative. Some schools allow deferred enrollment. But honestly, if UMD is on the table at $14K/year, a gap year probably doesn't make sense unless Nora's heart is truly set on a specific school that didn't work out.
The sections below are detailed planning tools. Come back to them when you need them.
This is the pivotal summer. The design/architecture thread either starts here or it doesn't.
Priority #1: Design exploration. National Building Museum Summer Studios (DC, free/low-cost), Catholic University Pre-College Architecture ($500-800), MICA Pre-College (Baltimore, $1,500-3,000), or shadow a local architect. Ethan, use your network to find a firm.
What Not to Do: Do not sign her up for coding camp. Do not fill every week. Do not tell her "this is for your college applications."
| Course | Level | Why |
|---|---|---|
| English 10 | Honors | Build relationship with this teacher (potential rec letter) |
| AP World History | AP | Second AP. Global perspective connects to design thinking about how cultures build differently |
| Algebra 2 / Trig | Honors | Strong math essential for architecture |
| Chemistry | Honors | Standard sequence. Shows STEM competence. |
| Spanish III | Honors | Continue sequence |
| Art / Design Elective | Regular/Honors | The new addition. First time the design thread appears on transcript. |
What Not to Do: Don't take 4 APs as a sophomore. Don't drop the design thread if it feels "less serious." Don't compare her course load to the neighbor's kid.
Most strategically important summer. Options: Cornell AAP Summer Architecture ($5-7K), WashU Sam Fox Pre-College, Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Architecture, or intern/shadow at a DC firm.
| Course | Level | Why |
|---|---|---|
| AP English Language | AP | Strongest AP. This teacher becomes key recommender. |
| AP US History | AP | How American spaces were designed, built, contested. |
| Pre-Calc or AP Calc AB | Honors/AP | Architecture requires math. |
| AP Physics 1 or APES | AP | Physics is better for architecture (structures, forces). |
| AP Art and Design | AP | Critical. First formal, graded evidence of design ability. Foundation for portfolio. |
| Spanish IV or AP Spanish | Honors/AP | Continue sequence. |
SAT: First attempt March 2028. Projected 1470-1540. If over 1500 on first take, done.
What Not to Do: Don't take SAT more than twice. Don't let anyone say AP Art isn't a "real AP." Don't pay $5,000 for a private counselor.
Execution year. AP English Lit, AP Government, AP Calc AB or BC, AP Physics C or Bio, AP Studio Art or Independent Study. Total APs over four years: 8-10.
| # | Type | Role | Description | Hrs/Wk | Grades |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Art (Architecture) | Independent Designer | Developed architecture and spatial design portfolio: 5+ projects including residential redesigns, public space proposals, community projects. Hand drawings, digital renderings, physical models. | 7 | 10-12 |
| 2 | Community Service | Lead Designer | Partnered with community organization to redesign shared public space for improved accessibility. Led design from needs assessment through stakeholder presentation. | 4 | 11-12 |
| 3 | Academic | Student | Selected for competitive pre-college architecture studio program. Intensive coursework in design fundamentals, model building, architectural drawing. | 40 | 11 |
| 4 | Athletics | Player (JV/Varsity) | Soccer since 5th grade. Seven seasons of teamwork, discipline, physical resilience. | 10 | 9-12 |
| 5 | Club | Member/Officer | Model UN: researching global policy, drafting position papers, public speaking, negotiation through committee simulations. | 4 | 9-11 |
| 6 | Community Service | Volunteer | Food bank: sorting, distributing, and proposing layout redesign to improve client flow and volunteer efficiency. | 2 | 9-12 |
| 7 | Art | Student Artist | AP Art and Design portfolio focused on spatial design and architecture. Exhibited at school art show. | 5 | 10-12 |
| 8 | Club | Founder | Founded Whitman Architecture/Design Club. Organized guest speakers from DC firms, field trips, design challenges. | 3 | 10-12 |
| 9 | Research/Intern | Intern | Interned at DC architecture firm. Assisted with project documentation, model building, sustainable design research. | 12 | 11-12 |
| 10 | Personal | Self-directed | Independent sketchbook practice documenting architectural observations and conceptual designs. Regular visitor to DC museums and architectural landmarks. | 3 | 9-12 |
Sarah, you described a moment where Nora spent 45 minutes at the Hirshhorn staring at the building while everyone else went inside. That's the essay.
Not "I want to be an architect." The essay is about the moment of seeing. About being the person who notices the building when everyone else notices the art inside it. About what it means to pay attention to the structures that shape our experience.
What it should feel like to read: Like you're standing next to someone in a museum who sees something you don't, and by the end you're seeing it too.
What it should NOT be: A "my activities taught me leadership" essay. A retrofitted "I've always loved architecture" origin story. An anxiety/perfectionism essay. A "why I want to study architecture" essay (that's for supplementals).
| School | Lead Angle | Specific Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard | Built environment shapes human behavior | VES program, GSD cross-registration |
| Penn | Design and urban studies intersection | Weitzman School, PennPraxis |
| Columbia | NYC as living architecture laboratory | GSAPP, Urban Studies concentration |
| Brown | Freedom to explore without choosing | RISD cross-registration, open curriculum |
| Cornell AAP | Direct: this is the architecture school | AAP studios, Rome program, B.Arch |
| Georgetown | Space, power, and politics | DC as a designed capital city |
| Hopkins | Design thinking across disciplines | Baltimore's architectural contrasts |
| WashU | Sam Fox interdisciplinary approach | Studio culture, Social Practice major |
| Tufts | SMFA within liberal arts | Active citizenship applied to design |
| UVA | Jefferson's university as architecture essay | The Rotunda, School of Architecture |
| Northeastern | Co-op: designing and building | Architecture co-op placements |
| UMD | Home as design challenge | National Mall as civic design case study |
Letter 1: AP English Language Teacher (11th grade). Most important letter. Should convey that Nora is a genuine thinker and writer, not just a good student. Ideally notices a spatial, visual quality in her writing. Ask late April/early May of junior year.
Letter 2: AP Physics or Math Teacher (11th grade). Shows breadth and supports architecture narrative. Should convey analytical thinking applied to spatial problems. Same timeline.
Supplemental: Architecture Mentor or Pre-College Instructor. Speaks to design ability in ways no high school teacher can. Ask at end of program/internship while relationship is fresh.
What about Ms. Novak? Her observation is a powerful data point, but she's a middle school teacher. A short note from Ms. Novak could add historical context at schools that accept additional letters, but she should not replace either primary recommender.
| School | Portfolio Required? | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Cornell AAP (B.Arch) | Strongly encouraged / effectively required | SlideRoom |
| WashU Sam Fox | Strongly encouraged | SlideRoom |
| UMD Architecture | Encouraged | School portal |
| Northeastern Architecture | Encouraged | SlideRoom |
| UVA Architecture | Encouraged | School portal |
| Harvard, Penn, Columbia, Brown | Optional arts supplement | SlideRoom |
Target: 15-20 pieces by senior fall. Include 3-4 observational drawings, 2-3 conceptual design projects, 1-2 physical models (photographed), 1-2 digital explorations (SketchUp, Rhino), 2-3 AP Art pieces, 1 community design project, and a 150-250 word artist statement.
Timeline: Summer before 10th (first sketches) → 10th grade (art elective + independent projects) → Summer after 10th (pre-college program pieces) → 11th grade (AP Art portfolio + community project) → Summer after 11th (curation and polish) → Fall 12th (submit).
What NOT to include: Purely decorative/abstract work, unfinished pieces, anything that looks AI-generated or parent-assisted.
1. Wait until you have all offers. Don't negotiate with one school before hearing from all.
2. Identify the gap. If Harvard offers $23K/yr and Cornell offers $30K/yr, the $7K gap is almost certainly driven by home equity.
3. Call, don't email. "We're comparing our financial aid offers and we'd like to discuss our package."
4. Share competing offers. "Harvard's formula produced $23K/year. Yours produced $30K. The difference appears to be home equity treatment. Is there flexibility?"
5. Your strongest card: The home equity variation. "Our home is our primary residence, not a liquid asset. We cannot access this equity without selling. Harvard's formula recognizes this."
Schools with flexibility: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, WashU. Less flexibility: Georgetown, Northeastern (smaller endowments). UMD, UVA (rigid public formulas).
When to walk away: If a school can't get under your budget after negotiation, accept the school that can. Brand loyalty is not worth $40K in PLUS loans.
| Month | Action Items |
|---|---|
| Aug 2028 | Finalize Common App. Complete personal essay. Request rec letters. Finalize design portfolio for SlideRoom. |
| Sep 2028 | Finalize school list. SAT retake if needed. Begin all supplemental essays. Submit portfolio to early-deadline schools. |
| Oct 2028 | FAFSA opens Oct 1. File immediately. Submit CSS Profile for Nov 1 deadlines. Continue supplements. |
| Nov 2028 | Harvard REA (Nov 1), Georgetown EA (Nov 1), UVA EA (Nov 1), UMD Priority (Nov 1). REA is non-binding. Do NOT apply binding ED unless certain about finances. |
| Dec 2028 | EA results arrive. If deferred/rejected, finalize RD applications. Finalize CSS Profile for RD schools. |
| Jan 2029 | RD deadlines: Penn (Jan 5), Columbia (Jan 3), Cornell (Jan 2), Hopkins (Jan 2), WashU (Jan 4), Tufts (Jan 4), Northeastern (Jan 1). Submit all portfolios. |
| Feb 2029 | External scholarship applications. FAFSA corrections. Wait. |
| Mar 2029 | RD results and aid packages arrive. Compare offers. Initiate appeals if gaps exist. |
| Apr 2029 | Decision month. Attend admitted student events. Negotiate aid. Have the honest conversation about cost, Eli, and long-term health. |
| May 1, 2029 | Commit. Deposit. Celebrate. |
| Scholarship | Amount | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Merit Scholarship | $2,500+ (corporate sponsors up to full tuition) | Automatic via PSAT | Check Ethan's firm and NIH for corporate sponsors. |
| Banneker/Key (UMD) | Partial to full tuition + stipend | Auto with UMD app | Premier merit award. Nora's profile is competitive. |
| AIA Scholarships | $500-10,000 | Varies | DC/MD chapter and national AIA for aspiring architects. |
| ACE Mentor Program | $2,000-10,000 | Spring senior year | Architecture, Construction, Engineering. Check Montgomery County chapter. |
| Coca-Cola Scholars | $20,000 | Oct senior year | Leadership + community service. Nora's design work fits. |
| Montgomery County Community Foundation | $1,000-5,000 | Spring | Local scholarships for MC students. |
| NIH-affiliated scholarships | Various | Varies | Sarah, check whether NIH or DHHS offers dependent scholarships. |
| Jewish community scholarships | Various | Varies | Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Hillel, synagogue. |
| NCARB | Various | Varies | Architecture licensing board scholarships. |
Each number is an estimate based on published admission rates (Common Data Set), institutional aid policies, and adjustments for Nora's projected profile.
| School | Published Rate | Adjusted (Nora) | P(Merit) | Est. Net Cost/Yr | Home Equity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard | 3.5% | 6% | N/A (need) | $20-25K | Excluded |
| Penn | 5.4% | 8% | N/A (need) | $22-28K | Full |
| Columbia | 3.9% | 5% | N/A (need) | $22-28K | Aggressive |
| Brown | 5.0% | 7% | N/A (need) | $20-25K | Capped |
| Cornell AAP | 10% | 14% | N/A (need) | $22-28K | Included |
| Georgetown | 12% | 15% | 10% ($10K) | $40-52K | Full |
| Hopkins | 6.5% | 10% | 5% ($8K) | $25-35K | Included |
| WashU (Sam Fox) | 11% | 15% | 10% ($12K) | $22-28K | Capped 1.2x |
| Tufts | 10% | 14% | 5% ($8K) | $24-32K | Included |
| UVA (OOS) | 18% | 22% | 10% ($10K) | $28-38K | FAFSA only |
| Northeastern | 5% | 8% | 25% ($15K) | $28-40K | Included |
| UMD Honors | 45% (20% Hon) | 90% / 60% Hon | 50% partial / 15% full | $12-15K | FAFSA only |
Key note: Cornell AAP's 14% adjusted rate reflects the portfolio boost. Without a portfolio, she drops to ~8%. The design thread is worth 3-5 percentage points at architecture-focused schools.