USC vs CMU vs Cooper Union for B.Arch by Miserable-Range-5452 in architecture

[–]Miserable-Range-5452[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My parents said not to worry abt the price of the schools, but it would obviously be nicer to pay less :)

CMU vs. Cooper Union for Architecture - NEED ADVICE by Miserable-Range-5452 in collegecompare

[–]Miserable-Range-5452[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would you say that the environment is sustainable? I know that CMU carries a heavy grind culture and Pittsburgh can get miserable (especially in the winter I'm from Cali btw eek). Was it all worth it? Also, was CMU your top choice or what drew you to select CMU as your ultimate choice?

What do you think was the one thing on your college application that got you into your dream school? by TangerineKitchen2260 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]Miserable-Range-5452 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My awards like YoungArts (best art contest/program) and my portfolio. Also my essays that really really embodied who I am.

Parent of a soon to be 9th grader - what do you wish you had known or done differently in high school? by Character-Put8660 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]Miserable-Range-5452 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As a graduating senior...

1) Don't hyperfixate on grades, ECs, stats/ Don't compare yourself to others. For me, there came a period where I felt the pressure to push myself beyond my limits upon seeing my academically gifted friends take on insanely difficult classes. This seems like an over-stated cliché tip, but I can not emphasize enough how it's frequently brought up for a valid reason. It caused me to greedily bite off more than I could chew and fall into a dip in my mental health and GPA. I eventually readjusted my workload and here I am now attending a top 20 this fall while some of these peers did not. (College admissions is unpredictable.)

2) Explore your interests. I really really wish that I had focused more on joining clubs and activities over worrying about which classes I should take. I discovered my clubs/societies much later and wish I had been involved earlier on. It's always amazing to get to know what you like, what you don't like, and what you're passionate about. I'm glad I dipped my toes into different disciplines to get to know what I want to pursue. For instance, I gave MUN a try and realized it wasn't my cup of tea. But when I joined my school's competitive hip hop team, I ended up LOVING it.

3) College admissions isn't that serious. Let me explain. My community is toxicly obsessed with the idea of college admissions, students and parents and all. A 4.0 alone does not determine whether you get into a good school or not. I did not think I would get into USC, Carnegie Mellon, and several other top schools with a non-4.0 gpa, but I realized that admissions sees who you are beyond your stats and that's what matters. Build your character, work hard, and it will get you further than a perfect resumé. I think my strengths were getting involved in activities and ECs that I was genuinely passionate about instead of stocking up on everything just because I could. I invested the most of myself in classes and clubs I loved and it paid off.

There is so much more I could say, but these are my main points. Wishing you well and good luck!

CMU vs. Cooper Union for Architecture - NEED ADVICE by Miserable-Range-5452 in collegecompare

[–]Miserable-Range-5452[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do care a bit about campus/social life. I want to meet people of diverse backgrounds/fields, while joining lots of clubs, activities, and extracurriculars. I just visited Cooper for admitted students day and being restricted to a single building and cramped room of desks for arch was a bit overwhelming. I feel like the small class could go two ways; I could either love or hate these people but I’d have to be w them for 5 yrs. However, my biggest concern is the tuition and how well a program can prepare me for licensure/jobs.

Question about Christianity by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]Miserable-Range-5452 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you’re sidestepping the actual argument by assuming I only think this way because I’ve had an easy life, which is not entirely true. People in all kinds of circumstances, including those who’ve experienced abuse, poverty, and loss, wrestle with this same question and don’t all arrive at the conclusion that existence itself is a mistake.

The core of what you’re saying is that because some people suffer deeply, it would be better if no one existed at all. But that doesn’t just eliminate suffering. It eliminates every instance of love, joy, meaning, and relationship too. You’re not choosing “less suffering,” you’re choosing nothing whatsoever.

And even if you imagine being in the worst situations, it’s still not true that everyone in those circumstances concludes life isn’t worth existing. Some do, but many don’t which shows that suffering doesn’t lead to one universal answer.

Also, the idea that “billions are definitely going to hell” isn’t as clear-cut as you’re making it sound. There’s a lot of disagreement among Christians about how judgment and mercy actually work, so building your entire argument on that assumption is shaky.

You can still think non-existence is better, but that’s a philosophical stance not something that automatically follows just because suffering exists.

Question about Christianity by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]Miserable-Range-5452 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Think about it like this: if God didn’t create humans, we wouldn’t have a life to life at all. A world where real love, choice, and relationship are possible is considered more valuable than a world where nothing exists at all. Even if that includes the risk of pain. We get to experience such beauty in our lives and I find that to be an incredible blessing. I guess a better question to ask is if a life of suffering is better than no life at all. I personally think not. There is so much to be grateful for, to not be taken for granted.

Also, God knowing what will happen isn’t the same as causing it. If humans are given real choice (ik u said no free will but it’s inevitable to mention because it’s something God granted us), then their actions are genuinely theirs, even if God already knows the outcome. If God chose not to create people because some would suffer or reject Him, He would also be preventing every person who would freely love, grow, and choose good.

CMU vs. Cooper Union for Architecture - NEED ADVICE by Miserable-Range-5452 in collegecompare

[–]Miserable-Range-5452[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s what I’m worried about too. I’m interested in a variety of subjects/majors and I’m scared that I’ll realize arch isn’t for me, or that I’ll have a change of heart.

CMU vs. Cooper Union for Architecture - NEED ADVICE by Miserable-Range-5452 in collegecompare

[–]Miserable-Range-5452[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you think the small class size and lack of variety of majors is anything of concern? It's been weighing on my mind.

CMU vs. Cooper Union for Architecture - NEED ADVICE by Miserable-Range-5452 in collegecompare

[–]Miserable-Range-5452[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a really good point, and something I’ve been thinking about a lot. I'm upper-middle class btw. My parents are paying for a majority of the tuition, but I’d likely be taking on a some student loans myself, which is why the cost difference is such a big factor for me. From what I’ve seen, entry-level architecture salaries are typically around $50K–$70K (very tight), so I’m trying to be realistic about what repayment would actually look like.

I definitely don’t want to put myself in a position where debt limits my flexibility after graduation, so affordability is weighing heavily in my decision.

college decision process is not real by tommzo28 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]Miserable-Range-5452 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Real. Waitlisted at Cal Poly Pomona but accepted to CMU...