<p>Admissions is looking for three things in the portfolio: technical skill (especially drawing), design skill (creativity) and presentation (of the portfolio itself). There’s a lot of information on line – including on some of the colleges’ websites – that provides more specifics about how to assemble a strong portfolio.</p>
<p>For example this from USC’s website:
</p>
<p>Pencil sketches and examples of animation are fine, but may or may not be enough. As for plans generated in an architectural drawing class, again, it depends on the degree of skill and creativity they demonstrate.
Does your son plan to apply to a BArch program? Some require portfolios, some do not. He’ll have to check the requirements of the schools he’s interested in. Because the BArch requires a high level of commitment, many schools offer in depth presentations for potential applicants.</p>
<p>If he’s thinking about a BA or BS in architecture or architectural studies, he most likely won’t need a portfolio, but again, he’ll have to check each school’s requirements. (If he’s not clear on the difference – that’s the first thing he needs to understand.)</p>
<p>At those that require it, the portfolio is an important factor in admissions, so in the next 5 months, it would be a good idea for your son to take an art course, like drawing. If he can’t do that at his high school, he could look at courses at a CC or art school. He might be able to find something in your community for the month of August.</p>
<p>Thanks for the additional information. My son doesn’t know what he wants to major in-that’s the problem. He’s considered arch, animation, game design, industrial design, computing and the arts, engineering with arts, engineering, CS game design, and music.</p>
<p>I will look into the idea of an art class. He would have room if it were offered at our homeschool co-op, but I don’t think it is. He’s already got a full load at the CC in the fall with 13 units (4 high school credits) and 14 units in the spring (3 hs credits). I had planned for him to take philosophy at the co-op for his 8th class.</p>
<p>Yes, let me search around for an August art class. I thought he’d take art in the spring at the CC, but that’s too late for a portfolio.</p>
<p>He’ll be submitting a cello supplement at the schools where he’s not applying to a specific major since he’s a serious cellist (but not serious enough to know he wants to do it for a living) and may want to major in it.</p>
<p>So, for sure, if he did arch, he’d do BA or BS.</p>
<p>Wish we had a 5th year to explore more. Even though he has a 2230 SAT and 3.95/4.48 GPA, he may end up at the local CC just cause he doesn’t know what he wants and isn’t working on getting anything together. (Plus, I’m not sure we can afford most of the schools on the list anyways)</p>
<p>There are two paths to becoming a licensed architect in the U.S.: The BArch which is generally 5.0 years and the MArch which is a 2.0 to 3.5 years on top of a 4.0 year BA or BS. </p>
<p>Your son does not need to major in architecture or architectural studies to get into a good MArch program. As long as he fulfills the admissions requirements your son could major in anything at all and still get an MArch. </p>
<p>Majors are usually not declared until sometime sophomore year and BS/BA architecture programs usually don’t require portfolios, so your son has some time to think about what he wants to major in. Along the way he could attend an architecture career exploration program offered by many architecture schools. </p>
<p>He sounds like a great kid who would benefit from a wide liberal arts education, one that allows for a lot of experimentation across disciplines. He shouldn’t worry about settling on a profession (or even a major) just yet, but concentrate on putting together a list of great colleges that you can afford. </p>
<p>The money is really as topic for another thread, but at this point you should be exploring both need based and merit based financial aid. You will find that private selective colleges are quite generous with need based aid. If need based said doesn’t work for your family, your son should be looking at schools that offer merit aid. </p>
<p>Applying to college can seem overwhelming at first, but as you get into the process, choices become clearer. You should focus on finances and your son should focus on what he wants in environment and teaching style. The major will fall in place later. </p>
<p>A fifth year–gap year-- isn’t out of the question either. </p>
