<p>I've decided that I want to study architecture in college; it's a field that really interests me and I also love math and science. I've done well on my SATs and ACT and I'm in the top 5% of my class (4.6 GPA), so I'm looking at applying to Columbia, UPenn, Carnegie Mellon, Rensselaer and some other schools (UPenn is my top choice).</p>
<p>Here's my dilemma: Most of these schools require "art portfolios" as a determining factor in the admissions process to their architecture department, and I have no art to submit. Our high school doesn't have an architecture class, and my schedule has been so loaded with AP's and sports that I haven't had room for Freehand Drawing or Drafting. I have a couple of projects that I've made in a design class, but I don't think that's enough for an entire portfolio.</p>
<p>What should I do!?? Is it okay for most of the pieces of art in the portfolio to be done without guidance? I'm willing to put in the time to create a portfolio on my own, but I don't really know where to start and I'm not sure if that's what these colleges are looking for.</p>
<p>Any help/advice would be really appreciated!!</p>
<p>i CANNOT speak for the other schools. RPI wanted mainly evidence of creativity, etc. They specifically said they did NOT want CAD drawings. Paintings, free hand drawings, sculpture, multimedia were all suggested.</p>
<p>As it happens DD is a passionate photographer, took a HS course in photography, and most of what she submitted were photos. The kinds of things she submitted, and accompanying write ups, showed her sense for shape, form, etc. RPI has a detailed explanation of what they want on their website, IIRC. If not they will send it to you. They understand not everyone has taken art in HS and thats not a requirement.</p>
<p>Again, my understanding is that at least RPI is mainly looking for some evidence of visual creativity, the ability to think in 3 dimensions, etc. I would suggest checking the situation for each school.</p>
<p>I thought Columbia was a 4 year arch major, not a B Arch, and did not require a portfolio? Not sure about UPenn.</p>
<p>Note well, CMU’s due date for the portfolio is VERY early (November?) DD was considering CMU but missed the deadline, as we did not realize any school would have a deadline for Arch in advance of the regular app deadlines. (as it happens wea all think RPI is a better choice for her than CMU would have been, so all is well, but you should be warned)</p>
<p>Thank you very much I do still need to do some research on which schools are for a B.Arch vs. a Master’s, so thanks for pointing that out.</p>
<p>So were most of her portfolio entries photographs? That wouldn’t be too hard for me so that would be a relief. I do have a sculpture that I’ve made in my Design II class and a couple of drawings, but that’s about it. Do you think that 10 pieces of work is enough for a portfolio? I don’t know how much more I could create between now and app deadlines.</p>
<p>You should look at specific websites of the schools of interest to you. There are several schools that do not require portfolios, such as Virginia Tech, Penn State and Cincinnati, among others. </p>
<p>You also need to learn if you want a five-year BArch program or a undergraduate program (BA/BS)that will be followed by an appropriate MArch program.</p>
<p>I think Columbia doesn’t even have a program for undergraduate. For UPenn you will need to get the Bachelor or Arts, then do M.Arch in graduate school to become an architect. Carnegie Mellon on the other hand, is B. Arch I think. If you are aiming for ‘the best undegraduate programs’ for architecture your list would look somewhat like this:
Cornell, Cooper, Syracuse, V.Tech, Cal Poly, Carnegie Mellon, U. Cincinatti… etc</p>
<p>As for the portfolio, the most important thing that students often forget is the necesity of free hand drawings. Computer art and CAD are all insignificant, because such don’t define talent but moreso of learned skills. They want to see that you are capable of artistic endeavors, with talent. Paintings, pastel, charcoal, pencil… I suggest you include at least two of each of those.</p>
<p>Luckily, 10-20 minute croquis are also very good choices to put in your portfolios. It displays your sketching / space perception skills. And they take very little time.
In your case, making a Portfolio would probably require many short-time free hand drawings. And never be afraid that they’ll think “This is it?”
They will be able to tell you took little time to draw something, so as long as it’s very good… I hope you’re talented enough to carry on this task though :] Good lucks, are you in the class of 2011? </p>
<p>Also, can you check again for me if Columbia even has an undergraduate program?</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for the suggestions/advice!</p>
<p>UPenn has always been sort-of a “dream school” for me. I like the city and I have relatives near there… but after reading these and doing some more research I think I’d love some of those other options as well :)</p>
<p>I am applying to Berkeley, UCLA, and Cal Poly, but Cal Poly isn’t a top choice for me because I live here in SLO and I want to go somewhere new. I just looked into VTech (I’m going to apply there too now!) and I’m considering Drexel.</p>
<p>As far as the portfolio… Wait, so photographs aren’t good? I have some cool still life shots, so should I include those in addition to drawings, or leave them out all together?</p>
<p>That depends on how many decent drawings you can have by the time you submit your portfolio. It is best to maximize your drawings/other artwork, rather than resort to photographs. If I am correctly assuming that you’re the class of 2011, you may find yourself in need of those photos, but then again maybe you already have many drawings to choose from so no photos required.</p>
<p>I am class of '11, and I have maybe 4 drawings from the design classes I’ve taken, plus one sculpture and one painting. I’m willing to take the time to do some more sketches; would you recommend still life? I don’t think portraits are really in my range of capabilities haha</p>
<p>Hah!! Got the school links this time - these should give you some very good ideas on what schools are looking for in portfolios The links below should help you out. Good luck!:</p>
<p>My DD’s portfolio was mainly photos, only a few drawings and other stuff, and she was admitted to RPI arch.</p>
<p>Now it could be RPI is an outlier in terms of what they look for in a portfolio. Or it could be that they don’t care that much about portfolio. Or it could be that they wanted my DD enough (high SAT’s, female, from TJ) that they didn’t care much about the portfolio in her case. I don’t know for sure.</p>
<p>self portraits are very important. still life is also very important. cornell looks for between 15 to 20 artworks in your portfolio, meaning you’re in a dire situation! but if you’re not looking for somewhere like cornell, let’s say upenn, then portfolio isn’t required. so really it’s all up to you!</p>
<p>I would recommend that you check out the school websites and/or ask directly at whatever school you are interested in as to what THEY want in a portfolio. What you are hearing on this forum are opinions and none of us will be reviewing your portfolio and making the decision to admit you or not.</p>
<p>I don’t know how old you are or if you will have enough time but I suggest taking a College Portfolio Prep class. These classes will help greatly in building a strong portfolio and they will teach you how to present it and the know-how of what they expect. You will also need a sketchbook to plan out your ideas and show for reviews. They do not like just seeing artwork but the plan for it too. Make your art say something. You need to create a series. There is alot more to a portfolio than just sticking your art away. You have to create pieces that go together to tell a story. For architecture I suggest creating pieces realted to buildings, interiors, and structures. A class would be highly helpful. Local art museums usually offer these classes as do colleges. Just look around and good luck!</p>
<p>So I’ve belatedly realized that I need a portfolio to apply to architecture schools. I’m an incoming senior this year in high school. I luckily have a few portraits that I’ve drawn since I was in 7th grade, but that only totals up to around 5, at most. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, our family is moving across the country (USA) this summer to San Fran. I have no idea what I can do, other than draw like I’ll never draw again. </p>
<p>I want to also comment on this… I don’t understand why your works have to be very obscure and artistic creations; I may come off as ignorant, but wouldn’t it be more relevant to submit pieces with drawings of buildings and structures (I am FASCINATED with this)? Or is that just uncreative? I know CAD, and I am starting to refresh my drawing skills and I’m not very confident about making an artistic portfolio. I was considering also submitting photography but that was contemned by some people in the thread so I’m not sure. advice?</p>
<p>A lot of Arch schools are asking for fairly specific stuff - the RISD bicycle comes to mind - I remember from D’s portfolio extravaganza that pretty much each school had its own short list of things (If one is applying to multiple schools this can get busy since for some of these they generally want originals. </p>
<p>It gets even more fun if the school wants a complete-at-home set of specific exercises that are not always drawing related (think Cooper Union). </p>
<p>Generally, schools don’t want to see CAD but if you have done anything seriously sophisticated in either 2D or 3D, one or two pieces should not hurt.Even photographs of 3D objects (art or models) and artistic photographs.</p>
I do still need to do some research on which schools are for a B.Arch vs. a Master’s, so thanks for pointing that out.</p>