<p>Generally, what do colleges (Cornell, Syracuse, Rice, UT, CMU, etc.) look for in a B.Arch applicant's portfolio?</p>
<p>As of now, I'm in an AP Studio Art class that will submit a 24 piece portfolio to be scored by university proffesors at the end of the school year. If I had still lifes, landscapes, portraits and figure drawings, would that be an appropriate application portfolio? Or do the colleges want so see more creative, imaginative drawings?</p>
<p>I've heard from various sources that for an architecture applicant, lighting and use of space are the most important aspects. However, I'm still a little confused about what we are trying to show through out work.</p>
<p>Creativity and technique are key. You don’t necessarily need to have any actual architectural items in your portfolio, you can include a couple of your still lifes and other paintings. However, also make sure you include some more imaginative pieces that show your ability to think and design creatively.</p>
<p>Check out Syracuse’s website. They have a good page on what they are looking for. Also for Syracuse, contact them–they were a great help to my son when he applied as to what they want to see (he was accepted but didn’t go there). I forgot the person’s name (Something like V. Didio).</p>
<p>cornell has sample portfolios on their counter in the admissions office (mine is still on display!). you dont need any architectural drawings. continue with your still lifes, figure drawings, etc. dont feel scared to include quick sketches also! have fun with it. make sure you pick your 15-20 BEST so make more than you have to so you have a choice.</p>
<p>There are books on portfolio preparation (there’s a good one new this year by Andreas Leuscher that I have on my reading list for architecture students; Harold Linton’s is the other standard)
Most schools are looking for some intangibles:
-Capacity for spatial thinking - the most important, and the least tangible. Drawings of 3-D things can show this (buildings, figure drawing) as can sculpture.
-Craft, attention to detail - do your drawings (or other items) show that you are precise and detail-oriented? (i.e. they shouldn’t be sloppy - good drawings, clean scans, trim format)
-Good “eye” - how do you compose an image? Photographs can be good for this. What do you look at? A range of images can get at this - some details, some abstract images, some landscapes.
-Good “hand” - drawings and paintings are best for this - how is your line work, shading, etc.
-Your design process - are you able to work through ideas graphically? A range of work shows this, from sketches to crisp final products.</p>
<p>Most schools expect a range of talent - after all, you’re coming to learn - but will want to see capacity in all those criteria.
Incidentally, all aspects of your application are evaluated for those things. For instance, typos and sloppy handwriting tell a reviewer that you’re not attentive to details, which is a real problem for an architect.</p>