Art Portfolios in BS Admissions?

Thanks for stopping by!
I’m applying to various boarding schools through A Better Chance. On the ABC common app (part 1), I had the option to submit a visual arts portfolio. I did so, and am wondering if this will help boost my admission chances/ cancel out weaker parts of my application.
My art isn’t amazing, just slightly above average. (In my opinion) Does anyone know if AOs get art teachers to look at the portfolios, or if they just look and judge for themselves?
If anyone wants to look at the portfolio, feel free to DM me.
Thank you!

Good for you to ask this question. I do believe having a portfolio can’t hurt - it’s a plus and shows the passion you have already pursued for the arts. It also provides a platform for discussion during your interviews - may even make you stand out a bit. As I have commented before on this topic, please excuse me for any repetitive advice. This is a good subject or question to discuss with your interviewer or A/O. One of the common apps we completed did have instructions for adding the portfolios. A few schools also had their own method for submitting portfolios, so DO check on this! For example, 2 schools had specific examples of artwork or photography they wanted to have included. Another school requested that portfolios be downloaded onto a separate platform (think it cost us $ 8.00). One school requested that portfolios be sent to a specific art teacher. So do your homework early on this topic !

Totally agree with the above. Make sure you talk to the AO about your portfolio and ask if it should be sent to an art teacher. Also, it’s a great idea to ask for an introduction to whichever art teacher matches your chosen media. Shows interest in the school and then you can correspond with the teacher to find out more about their art program, etc. For example, if you are already an accomplished painter (or something, my kids “art” is dance so I don’t know much about this) do you still have to take intro to sketching/art 101 type class as a freshman or can you take “higher level” art classes. Similar to a kid who’s already gone through pre calc taking calculus as a new student or being forced to take the “school’s version of pre calc because we teach it so differently, blah blah”

@one1ofeach and @Golfgr8
Thanks for your replies! I’m a little unsure, because the admissions organization I’m a part of had their own section for a portfolio. However, I’ll still ask the AO’s about other requirements. Thank you!

I would encourage you to still communicate directly with AO’s, teachers, coaches, whomever is applicable for your application. I see no reason to limit yourself to the confines of the ABC application process. Schools like kids who show interest and go above and beyond to connect.