<p>I'll be applying to ND this year, probably going into architecture. How important is a portfolio? Honestly, I don't know the first thing about putting one together, and I know ND says its optional, but if it's a big deal... Would it be better, since everyone has the same first year of studies, for me just to apply as undecided if I don't have a portfolio?</p>
<p>Yes to your last question. Once you're in the door, you can go any route you want.</p>
<p>I considered architecture for a long time. When you send in a portfolio, its sent to the architecture school where a few professors review it. The review is then sent back to admissions and doesn't hold much weight. This is how it was explained to me over and over-a good portfolio could tip the scales only on an application thats on the fence, but it won't "make up" for a bad test score/poor grades/poor rank. My opinion is, if you don't have a portfolio you're confident in, don't send it. I ended up applying to the liberal arts college (for industrial design) and sent a portfolio, I doubt it helped me, because now that I look back I realize it wasn't that great.</p>
<p>I think I probably will not send one. I'm reasonably confident that I'll get in, so I don't feel I need one to boost my chances, and it being that I don't have much material for a portfolio as of now, I'd have to throw things together without knowing what I'm doing and it would be unlikely to impress. I might just apply to another one of the schools and switch over soph year, as the first year is the same anyway. Thanks for all the input.</p>
<p>Getting there freshman year, if you plan on being an Architect, they'll put you in the Architecture class, as there are freshman year requirements. Admissions is blind to major, but the freshman year advisors are not.</p>
<p>kevdude makes a good point. when i applied, my portfolio was reviewed by a design professor...and I now have mechanical engineering as my primary major. Once you're into ND, you're in. Plus, you have the whole First Year of Studies your freshman year to consider. While some of your core classes will be geared towards your intended major, and you may get first dibs on the drawing classes if you're an archi, you have a long time to figure things out.</p>