College

I started this flex on completing college work, because I wasn't sure how to get started and what direction to take. I wanted to have support and time to get everything done, and FLEX gave me that opportunity while also researching a possible career that would help me decide what kinds of colleges I wanted to look into.

Spreadsheet

At the beginning of the semester I created a spreadsheet where I started to include all of the characteristics of a college that I wanted. While looking into different colleges, I researched most areas of these categories and ranked the schools by which schools included the aspects I found most important.

My starting point included look at schools that were on a tuition remission list. This list ended up becoming one of the most important characteristics, as it included private schools where I have a chance for free tuition or a reduced tuition fee.

Each meeting I had with Ms. Thielen, we looked over my spreadsheet and began creating a separate spreadsheet that had all the application requirements on it. This new spreadsheet let me know what I needed to do in order to apply to the school.

CF: College (Architecture)

Tours

One of the biggest parts I used to find my top school, was by going on a campus tour. I ended up touring multiple schools, but I only toured one that I loved. By touring schools such as Boston University, I was able to realize before applying to colleges that I don't want to go to school inside a city, and that I would love to live on a college campus.

This is why, where I toured Syracuse University I loved the campus. Not only was the campus great, but it also has a fantastic architecture program that has built in study abroad, it is also on the tuition list with a reduced tuition.

Syracuse college tour

SAT Prep

During this semester, I decided to take the SAT's again because I wasn't happy with my previous test score. My studying was focused around reminding myself of the basics and taking multiple SAT practice tests.

My SAT score ended up being higher than my previous one, although I still don't feel like it is a correct representation of myself. This meant that when applying to colleges I submitted my test scores only when my score was at or higher than the schools average SAT score

Portfolio

Architecture is a program that mixes art and stem. As art is involved there were lots of schools that required I submit an art portfolio. Working on putting together the pictures and descriptions of each piece became something I worked on during my Flex time.

In order to get feedback on my portfolio and artwork I went a National Portfolio day where I was given advice and told what I needed to work on in order to heighten my overall portfolio.

CF: Portfolio progress

Charlize Forthofer Portfolio.pdf

My final portfolio includes works that I created after going to the portfolio day. I worked in order to add drawings to my portfolio because I was lacking in pieces that were drawn.

Meeting with Rhonda

Essays

In October 2025, I started working on my personal essay. I already had an idea for what I wanted to write about, I just needed help in getting the wording correct.

In order to get help, I went to Rhonda who I had known because she was a chaperone on my Switzerland/Italy trip. With her help, and final touches by Ms. Doty. I was able to finish my personal essay and start my work on my supplemental essays.

After picking around ten colleges to hopefully apply to, I started working on my supplemental essays. I began these by due date and I ranked them by which college I would rather be accepted to. This meant I went to write short essays for around six of my colleges, each with around two or more essays each.

German GAP Year

GAP year opportunities

After hearing about a GAP year scholarship in Germany, I decided to keep my future options open and apply to the scholarship. This scholarship would have intensive language classes, cultural integration, and possible internships in architecture.

I've come to realize that all the things listen are more important to me than going to college, and if given the opportunity to continue my learning in a community I would rather take that opportunity.

When I went to submit my common application for schools other than my top school. I was asked why I wanted to go to these schools. Unfortunately I had no true answer to give, as I had been completing the college process because that's what I'd expected of myself. I had to reflect on why I wanted to go to college and if architecture was really what I wanted to study. This was where I realized I wasn't sure yet what I wanted to do with the next couple years of my life, and I should apply to colleges that weren't super expensive, while also looking into GAP year opportunites.

If I were to give advice to someone else who was starting the college process, I would tell them to ignore looking at a major unless you know exactly what you want to do. Without looking for a specific major, there are a lot more colleges available to you and you may find something similar or better to what you thought you wanted to do.

For people who know they want to go to college, start everything earlier than you think you need to, because rushing through items that could decide the trajectory of your life is very stressful.

For people who don't know what they want to do with their lives at all, but think college is the option. I recommend applying to colleges, but not stressing yourself out to figure everything out right now. Instead keep all your options open and also look at/apply to GAP year opportunities.

My next step is to look into more abroad programs, and GAP year opportunities available to me. I would like to wait until I get my college admissions back before I lock myself into any program, because I am still highly interested in going to Syracuse University and hearing back from the Vocational GAP year in Germany.

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