Hi! So I’ve been pursuing art as a hobby for a while, but I haven’t been able to work an art class into my schedule since freshman year (I am now a junior). Despite this, I have continued to pursue art through an independent study period at school and a little bit at home (I am currently working to self-submit an AP Art portfolio). I am considering submitting an arts portfolio, but because I don’t exactly have a traditional education or private instruction, I’m a bit nervous about it- especially when it comes to some of my reach schools (Stanford, UPenn). I’ve done art-related things for school (designed T-Shirts and posters, etc.), but haven’t really won any awards (though I plan to start entering more competitions soon) and I have sold some art/greeting cards to people locally. Art is a pretty big part of my life, so I intend to list it as an extracurricular, but I’m unsure if that necessitates submitting a portfolio.
In short, my question is this: How good is “good”? and What is considered “exceptional work” “for a high school student”?
If anyone has submitted an arts portfolio to non-arts colleges and been successful, examples and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.
In general at the top tier schools it is not worth sending an arts supplement unless your work is of extremely high quality. I suggest that you ask an art teacher at your HS to assess the quality of your work. There is absolutely no need/reason to send a portfolio to back-up having art as an EC.
I think you might of had another thread on this or this has been asked prior.
But if you are not majoring or minoring in art then whom are you submitting an art portfolio to? What schools are requesting one from you? Maybe some Lacs but schools you stated, I would not think so.
But…
Look up how to put together an art portfolio. You really don’t need that much work. Have an art teacher help you. Go to an art supply place and get a real portfolio. You don’t need to spend a lot of money. They make paper inexpensive one’s. You just want to look /feel professional. Have all the art work facing the same way. So the person is just turning the pages and not having to turn the portfolio in different ways to view your art work.
Have different styles of your work. It is also important to some places that they see your thought process so maybe some samples of tracing prior to your final piece. So if you have a drawing pad with doodles etc. They might want to see that… Believe it or not…
As far as how good high school students are… They are all over the place as far as talent. I don’t think you can measure it the way you might be thinking. Usually they have some talent if they are considering art in their future. Someone like an art teacher probably helped them pursue their skill in college. No matter where you go to college they will most likely have an art department. So you can take classes etc and go from there. Don’t worry about whom is in the class. There will be lots of kid that are much better then you and some that are not. Build your skill and don’t worry about the other students. If anything, you can learn from them.
