Complete Guide to Applications: How to Prepare a Standard Master's Application Package

​Preparing application materials is one of the most crucial steps in the process of applying to graduate programs. The quality and completeness of these materials can make or break an application. However, the requirements for application materials can differ significantly—not only between regions but also among schools within the same region. On top of that, every applicant’s unique background adds another layer of complexity, turning this stage into a challenging endeavor.

​This guide is designed to help applicants navigate the process of preparing materials for master’s programs in architecture. It provides an overview of the key documents typically required, along with practical tips for addressing common challenges. By understanding the general structure of the application process and the specific requirements of individual programs, applicants can better anticipate what is needed. Armed with this knowledge, they can create a tailored, efficient preparation plan that sets them up for success before application deadlines approach.

01. 5 PRIMARY TARGET SCHOOLS

1.1 - Harvard University

MArch​

https://www.gsd.harvard.edu/architecture/​

DDL: 1.3 | TOEFL: 92 (23)

Application Guidelines

Gather Your Transcripts

You are required to upload transcripts from all colleges and universities from which you have earned credit or will or have received a degree. Make sure the scanned version is legible and oriented properly. Uploaded transcripts should include your name, school name, degree name, major, degree date if awarded, and a semester-by-semester course breakdown with corresponding grades. Screenshots of course websites or student self-service sites are not acceptable. Appropriate transcripts are very important for the application review process. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Applicants are only required to request official transcripts to be sent directly from their previous institution to the GSD if they are admitted and decide to enroll at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Do not request that official transcripts be sent to the GSD prior to receiving an admissions decision; we do not retain any transcripts received prior to decision release. All previous degrees must be conferred by August 10 in order to enroll in the fall.

Prepare Your Portfolio (when required or optional)

Portfolios must be uploaded as a single PDF and include your most important and representative visual arts, design, research, and/or professional work. Projects should include a description as well as any supporting documentation, which may include images or a video. All work must indicate the date of the project and whether the project was academic, office-related, or personal. In the case of collaborative work, the contribution by the applicant must be described precisely. If any part of an image or process is not your own work, the source must be cited. Embedded links are deactivated when you upload your portfolio. We do not have any sample portfolios; a wide variety of design work and portfolio styles are submitted, and there is not one type of correct or successful portfolio. Please note, we do not accept materials from third-party services such as Interfolio. Website portfolios are not accepted and will not be reviewed.

Recommended File Set-up:

Portfolios should be formatted as a PDF for screen viewing and uploaded as a document in the Portfolio (PDF) section (if 32 MB or less) or the Portfolio (Video) section (if over 32 MB).

• File type: PDF (One combined file. No other file types are accepted.)
• Max file size: 40 MB
• Max page limit: 30 PDF pages, excluding cover and table of contents.​

1.2- University of Pennsylvania​

DDL: 1.15 | IELTS: 7/6.5 | TOEFL: 100/22

02. “Standard” Application Materials Checklist​

Although the specific requirements and terminology for application materials vary from school to school, a “standard” checklist typically includes the following key items:​

• Personal Statement/Statement of Objectives/Motivation Letter​
• CV/Résumé​
• Recommendation Letters/Reference Letters​
• Transcript/Academic Records​
• Qualifications/Degree Certificate/Enrollment Certificate​
• Standardized Test Scores (e.g., TOEFL/IELTS)​
• Portfolio​

In addition to these standard items, some programs may require additional materials that are less common, such as:​

• GRE Scores​
• Research Proposal (for research-focused programs)​
• Essays or Short Responses​
• Video Essay​
• Internship Certificates​

Drawing on years of application experience, we categorize these materials into three main groups for a more detailed explanation:​

1. Academic Credentials: Includes transcripts and standardized test scores, which showcase academic qualifications ("hard skills").​
2. Comprehensive Presentation Materials: Personal statements, CVs, and recommendation letters, which highlight academic interests and prior experiences.​
3. Scholarly Materials: Portfolios or other evidence of academic work that demonstrate skills and expertise ("broad academic portfolios").​

By understanding the role of each category, applicants can prepare a well-rounded and targeted application package.

2.1 - Comprehensive Presentation Materials

Personal Statement

For many applicants, writing a personal statement can feel like a daunting task. After years of academic training, we all understand that the key to a successful essay is to "follow the prompt." Therefore, the first step in crafting a compelling personal statement is to carefully review and analyze the specific requirements of each program. Below are examples of personal statement prompts from several universities for the 2024 application cycle:

​Princeton University (2024)​

A statement of your current academic and future career plans as they relate to the Princeton department to which you are applying. In doing so, cite relevant academic, professional, and personal experiences that motivate you to apply for a graduate degree here. Your statement should not exceed 1,000 words and must be written in English.

​University of Pennsylvania (2024)​

All applicants must upload a personal statement, no more than 500 words long, describing your background, interest in your field, and your academic and career objectives. You should be as specific as you can about the area in which you plan to study.

​Aalto University (2024)​

The motivation letter (max 400 words) should state clearly the reason for studying architecture and the relevance of studying at Aalto University for the development of your career plan. The letter should be a maximum of two pages and included in the portfolio. The motivation letter should answer the question: Why do you want to study at Aalto University?

TU Delft (2024)​

*A clear and relevant essay in English (1,000–1,500 words) addressing the following:​

1. Your motivation for choosing this MSc programme.​
2. Why you are interested in TU Delft and what you expect to find here.​
3. If this MSc programme has specialisations, which specialisation interests you the most and why?​
4. Describe your hypothetical thesis project: what kind of project would you prefer? What would you want to explore? Please limit your answer to three possible topics.​
5. Summarize in a maximum of 250 words your BSc thesis work or final assignment/project, including information about the workload.*​

Key Observations​

These examples reveal that personal statement requirements vary greatly between schools, particularly in terms of word count and content focus. However, a good personal statement typically shares some common elements:​

1. Reflection on Academic and Career Goals: A thoughtful review of your academic journey and future aspirations.​
2. Alignment with the Program: A clear understanding of how the program fits into your goals.​
3. Personal Touch: A narrative that highlights your unique perspective and experiences, making your statement stand out.​

Writing a personal statement is not just about meeting application requirements; it’s a process of self-discovery. It challenges you to think critically about your research direction, step beyond a purely academic mindset, and identify your potential.

Resume/CV:

A CV includes the applicant's educational background, work and internship experience relevant to the chosen field, academic research experience, volunteer work, and other practical experiences. Its core purpose is to help reviewers quickly understand the applicant's abilities, especially those related to the program. Since different programs have varying focuses, the editing of a CV can vary greatly. Below are three technical points for architecture master's applications:​

1. Consistency of Information: Ensure consistency between the CV, personal statement, portfolio, and research proposal (if applicable).​
2. Tailored Adjustments: When applying to both research-oriented programs (and research-led taught programs) and general taught programs, adjust the CV content accordingly.​
3. No CV Upload Option: If the application doesn't require a CV or lacks an upload section for it, consider placing the CV within the portfolio.

Recommendation Letter/Reference Letter

If the résumé and personal statement reflect your self-assessment, the recommendation letter offers an important third-party perspective. Since this is the only document that requires external input, plan ahead and communicate early with potential recommenders to avoid last-minute stress and give them enough time to write thoughtful letters.

Step 1: Determine the Number of Letters​

• U.S. schools typically require 3 letters (except Cornell, which needs 2).​
• U.K. and European schools typically require 1 or 2 letters (exceptions apply).​
  Calculate how many letters you need based on your school choices.​

Step 2: Confirm the Requirements​

• If 3 letters are required, prepare at least 2 academic references and 1 from an employer.​
• If you have less than a year of work experience, 3 academic letters are fine.​
• If 2 letters are required, at least 1 should be academic, and 2 academic letters are acceptable if you're a student or have less work experience.​

Step 3: Choose Recommenders​

If possible, choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your abilities, particularly in relation to the program. A highly-ranked person is valuable but not more important than someone who can provide a detailed, sincere letter.​

Step 4: Assign Recommenders

Based on the recommender’s knowledge of you and the relevance to your program, assign the appropriate people to each application to ensure the letters align with the program's focus.

Video

Some schools prefer to learn about applicants in a more dynamic way, which is why they require a video as part of the application process. For architecture programs, the schools with such requirements include:​

• RCA: All program applicants must submit a video of no longer than two minutes.​
  You can find other applicants' videos by searching “RCA Journey Video” on YouTube.​
• UAL: Most programs require a 2-3 minute video.​
  You can find other applicants' videos by searching “UAL Video Task” on YouTube.​
• CMU: For architecture, the video is optional for all graduate programs except for MArch and PhD.

03. Scholarly Materials

Portfolio

The portfolio is a necessary component for architecture program applications. It must be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each school while showcasing your strengths. There are generally three types of portfolio submission methods:​

1. Type 1: The portfolio is submitted alongside the online application, typically in PDF format.​
2. Type 2: The portfolio is submitted after completing the online application through a separate system. These portfolios may not be limited to PDF format.​
   (Examples: RISD/UMich/USC – Submit through SlideRoom; RCA/UAL – Submit through Pebblepad; HKU/CUHK/GSA/Edinburgh – Submit through the Applicant Portal)​
3. Type 3: Physical portfolios are required. For these, you will need to consider the binding design, paper type, and overall presentation.

Below are some examples of the specific portfolio requirements and submission methods for various schools' programs in 2024:

Yale Portfolio Requirements :

NUS Portfolio Requirements (Upload digital version through the application system, and mail a physical copy)

KTH Portfolio Requirements (Upload portfolio to KTH SharePoint):​

Key Points for Portfolio Submission

For schools that require direct portfolio uploads to the system, bypassing size limitations is not possible. You must strictly follow the school's guidelines for exporting and compressing the portfolio.​

For schools that accept portfolio links (e.g., UCL, Edinburgh), since there are no strict size limits, clarity should be prioritized. For portrait layouts, it is recommended to upload to Issuu, which defaults to a two-page display for landscape layouts, it is recommended to upload to Dropbox, which defaults to a single-page display.​

Although most schools have page limits for portfolios, these are often not strict. However, some schools (e.g., Sheffield, UCB) have strict page count requirements and must be followed precisely.​

For programs without portfolio requirements (e.g., LSE/BATH), you can still submit a portfolio, usually by uploading it as another file, with a typical size limit of 5MB.​

At Cambridge, all portfolio submissions must be no larger than 2MB. A full portfolio will only be requested if you are invited for an interview.

Writing Sample：​

Writing Sample is a tool used by schools to assess a student's academic writing ability, research skills, and academic interests. It can be understood as the researcher’s portfolio. We can break it down into two components: "academic" ability and "writing" ability. This evaluates whether the student has built a solid research foundation during their undergraduate studies and whether they possess academic writing skills. This part should focus on a more mature research project from the undergraduate phase and ideally relate to the program being applied for. It can include social surveys, data analysis, theoretical research, policy research, and other related areas.

Essay：

​Some schools require students to write short essays on specific topics, essentially a form of on-site Writing Sample. In addition to reflecting the student's academic writing skills, this type of essay also assesses their ability to gather and process literature on a research topic within a short time frame.

Research Proposal/Study Plan：

For students applying for research-based master’s or PhD programs, the research proposal will be the most important document. This proposal does not require you to have a fully developed research project but instead needs to outline the research question you want to explore, why it is worth studying, and how you plan to approach the research. Some students may build on research topics from their undergraduate studies to generate new research questions, which is also a valid way to frame the question.​

Commonly, students applying for MPhil, MRes, and other architecture and planning programs (such as those at Cambridge) will need to prepare a **Research Proposal (RP)**, and for these programs, the RP is crucial. Here are some key points to consider:​

• **General Rule**: For programs that require a research proposal (RP), you will also need to submit a sample of previous written work (Sample of Work / Written Sample), which can be prepared alongside the RP.
• **Exception 1**: For the MPhil Architecture and Urban Design (Projective Cities) program at the Architectural Association (AA), the RP is not mandatory.
• **Exception 2**: Some programs at UAL may require a **Study Plan**, which can be understood as a simplified version of the RP.