Advice on Architecture Portfolios

[cck0126]

Hi! I’m a senior and am going to graduate in 2019. I’m applying to quite a few schools (Tulane, Syracuse, RPI, Penn State, OSU, ect.) for their architecture programs and was wondering if anyone knew what schools are looking for in student portfolios. My grades are pretty ok (3.9 UW, 4 APs, 30 ACT) but the thing that really worries me is the portfolio. I have a strong art background and can do a lot of medias/ subjects, but I feel like I don’t have a lot of work that represents the caliber of my skill. I assume they want architectural drawings/ sketches, but is creative work useful? I’m kind of running out of time since I’m applying early to all my schools, so any advice from people who went through this process or know anything about it would be great! Thanks:)

[momrath]

@cck0126, If you have “a strong art background” and are comfortable across a range of media, then you should be able to assemble the kind of portfolio that architecture programs are looking for.

Actually, architecture admissions are NOT looking for architectural drawings (though if you have them you may include them). The objective of the portfolio is to demonstrate artistic creativity, facility with media, especially drawing and a sophisticated sense of design and presentation. As Cornell says, they’re looking for “skills and passion.”

I think you’ll be fine, but if you’re really worried about it, perhaps you’d want to add a few more BArch programs that do not require portfolios (in addition to Penn State) e.g., Auburn, CalPoly SLO, UTASO.

Take a look at what some of the schools say on their websites:

Syracuse: Mechanical and architectural drawings are not necessary and, if included, should exemplify design and creativity, not just technological skills. They will be evaluated on their artistic merit and not on the manipulation of software.

RPI: The priority of the portfolio is to enable our admissions department… to evaluate each student’s creative achievement in the context of being accepted into an internationally renowned architecture program. The work included within the portfolio may consist of a range of media: pencil, charcoal, oil stick, and water color drawings; acrylic or oil paintings; paper, chipboard, wood, metal, ceramic or mixed media models; measured drawings or digital renderings; and black and white and color photographs, music scores, video, and other creative endeavors.
Although we encourage prospective students to acquire a range of software skills prior to their enrollment in our program in order to become digitally savvy early in their young careers, we would prefer that you do not include architectural drafted drawings in the portfolio.

We are far more interested in building a community of students that are creatively and intellectually inspired. Therefore, a portfolio comprised of a range of mixed media that is emblematic of the prospective student’s imagination and creative vision will be deemed most important during the evaluation process.

Cornell: The portfolio should contain several examples of freehand drawings including sketches as well as fully developed work. In addition to drawing, a range of artistic media needs to be demonstrated, but each applicant should emphasize the work where their skills and passion are expressed most strongly. Painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, video, woodworking and other crafts can convey artistic experience and aptitude.

https://soa.syr.edu/admissions/undergraduate/application-process/portfolio/
https://www.arch.rpi.edu/apply/undergraduate/
https://www.arch.rpi.edu/undergrad-portfolio-sample/
https://aap.cornell.edu/admissions/undergraduate/architecture

[turbo93]

As a veteran parent of a BA Arch, M.Arch, and PhD Arch applicant and current student, just a reminder that schools have different portfolio SIZE requirements and page count requirements. Read each school’s specific requirements and write them down on an Excel sheet or something because you don’t want to find out the hard way that school ABC has a 10MB PDF file size limit in their Slideroom or what not portal… Depending on how much you’re uploading, you could end up with Minecraft level graphics to keep the file under the max size.

[cck0126]

Thank you for your help!