Be careful before you participate in National Portfolio Day

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
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<p>We attended National Portfolio Day(NPD) last year in order to get a preliminary feedback as to improving our daughter's porfolio for next year. For this reason, participatioin in National portfolio day was very beneficial.</p>

<p>However, be aware that NPD is an exercise in frustration for several reasons. First,the lines were enormous. Thus, we couldn't see more than three or four schools. Secondly, because their were large crowds, most kids were given no more than 10 minutes, if that, of portfolio evaluation. My daugher's art instructor strongly advised AGAINST attending NPD.
Instead, we were urged to specifically visit each school with my daughter's porfolio.</p>

<p>My daughter's teacher felt this way for several reasons:
1. Usually you get higher end faculty reviewing porfolios at the schools over who attends NPD.
2. The student gets more time to explain their project
3. The student is a lot less rushed and so is the faculty member.
4. It clearly shows a greater degree of interest in the school over attending NPD.
5. It certainly is better showing the original porfolio than simply sending in slides.</p>

<p>Obviously, if you don't have the time or money to travel to each school then NPD is your only option. In addition, some schools, such as RISD, require that slides be sent in along with three original hometest assignments. Thus, going to NPD and attending RISD is somewhat useless.</p>

<p>Bottom line: I would suggest going to NPD in order to evaluate what is further needed to improve the portfolio. I would also recommend that, at NPD, you visit schools that are not in big demand. Thus, you will get to see more schools within the daily time frame and get more feedback.</p>

<p>Seeing various schools can really help in getting a wide array of feedback. I would also attend NPD if you don't have the time or money to attend each art school program in person.</p>

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<p>Taxguy's warnings are well taken. However, I think your approach may depend on your access to a college-level art school or program in your vicinity, and their willingness to help. My daughter attended two NPD's, one in Grand Rapids and another in Chicago. These were very helpful to her in identifying the strengths and weaknesses in her portfolio. We were warned in advance about the lines and basic set-up.</p>

<p>So here's my advice if you do go to an NPD:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Find out which art programs/schools are going to have representatives at the nearby NPD. You may need to call the school or look at its own website to learn this in advance. If your target schools aren't attending, you may not want to go.</p></li>
<li><p>Bring a portfolio of 6-10 pieces -- though you might be able to bring more, and many aspirants did. You want to be able to show the variety of your work and get feedback on it, so don't just bring what you think is your very best stuff. Also, BRING YOUR SKETCHBOOKS. The reps like to thumb through those and talk to you about what you're doing.</p></li>
<li><p>Arrive early, well before opening. And when they swing open the doors make a beeline for one of your choice schools. The best schools will have the longest lines, though of course there are also "regional" favorites.</p></li>
<li><p>Plan on getting only 3 or 4 reviews, each taking perhaps 10 minutes. This may take you 2-3 hours of waiting, depending on how busy things are. </p></li>
<li><p>Don't expect to walk away with a written evaluation or rating. This is an opportunity to get feedback from several experts. But you may well get on the school's "list" and find yourself encouraged or invited to apply. Two schools virtually guaranteed admission and financial aid to my daughter on the spot "assuming her academics are good." A couple then followed up within a week or two with an invitation to apply and a reference to the portfolio review she had had. (She still had to submit a full portfolio with her application.)</p></li>
<li><p>If lines are really long and you want feedback from an expert without waiting really long for your "favorites," find a table with nobody in line. At her first NPD, my daughter got excellent portfolio advice, and 20 minutes or more of time to ask questions from several schools' representatives, by talking to some of the schools that were not on her initial list, such as Cleveland Institute of Arts (CIA), Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), and Ball State. She did end up applying to KCAI (and was admitted there). The rep from CIA was outstanding. She first told my daughter to lay out her pieces on the table like a pallette -- compose them. She then talked about the composition of her pallette and the individual pieces; and she advised on improving or eliminating a couple of the weaker ones (and why). Three weeks later, when she went to her second NPD, she was ready with a more polished portfolio, which also included the major addition of a large self-portrait in color pastel. And she focused especially on getting interviews at a few of her target schools with long lines: RISD, CMU, & Cooper Union. Because she had arrived early and made a beeline toward RISD, however, she had her first review within 10 minutes of the opening, including the comment that she had a "strong portfolio."</p></li>
</ol>

<p>For my daughter, then, the NPD's were very useful.</p>

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<p>Couldn't agree more, taxguy - we went to NPD at CIA with D in her jr. year. Arrived 30 min. before doors opened, along with about 250 other kids and their families. It was laid out in several adjacent classrooms down a long narrow hall, forcing you to try to sink into the walls so others could pass you to get out.</p>

<p>D stood 1 hr. in RISD line without moving more than 10 ft., while H and I snaked our way around and gathered literature from any school we could get close to. She finally left the line when she saw a break in the MICA line, which ended up being the only review she got - a cursory glance, followed by a 3 min. directive on courses to take her sr. year, which she had already taken care of.</p>

<p>The schools' tables were so close together and the hallways so narrow that the lines doubled back on themselves and you had a hard time distinguishing which line went to which school. Best way I can describe it is a mosh pit - with hard, angluar, heavy portfolios smacking your ankles and shins!</p>

<p>Would recommend calling CIA ahead of time and finding out if NPD is still set up for the first floor of the new bldg. If so, take shin guards!</p>

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<p>My D is a high school senior at a Creative and Performing Arts High School. We attended an NPD day last year at Univ of the Arts is Philly. </p>

<p>I would describe it as productive. We arrived early and had our priority schools picked out. D got some quality feedback from RSDI and Cooper Union. Lines were longer as the day went on. Also spent some time with Washington University and San Fran Art Institiute. </p>

<p>Think the venue makes a big difference. Univ of the Arts had a large space so it could handle the crowd.</p>

<p>D has had one on one portfolio reviews this year with SAIC, MICA and CMU. No comparison, but I think NPD is a good start, especially in junior year.</p>

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<p>We went to one REGIONAL Portfolio day in New York State and saw most of the schools my son is considering, including RISD, Purchase, Pratt, RIT, and SCAD. (didn't have time to talk with Purchase). Only MICA and CMU were not in attendance, but between those portfolio presentations and the more personalized interviews at RIT and MICA, he has a strong sense of what is needed to get his portfolio in shape.</p>

<p>Don't expect to be able to meet with more than 3 or 4 school reps in a 4 hour time frame. The lines are BRUTAL, but even so, it is worthwhile for the range of feedback.</p>

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<p>If you go to a National Portfolio Day with the expection that it will serve as a sort of admissions interview for a particular school, you are likely to be disappointed (unless the particular school you have in mind is a small, lesser-known one that does not generate long lines of prospective applicants). You will probably have to wait in line a very long time -- and you will usually get only 10-15 minutes with any school's rep.</p>

<p>However, NPD can give you some valuable feedback if you understand what it is like and plan accordingly. They are particularly helpful for giving you some professional advice on how to best present your work, how to package it to the best advantage, etc. If your high school art department is fairly limited and you do not have access to a local art school or university, the school reps at NPD can serve that function to a limited extent. </p>

<p>Also, in my son's case, NPD was a way for him to talk to some knowledgeable people about art schools that he knew he would not have an opportunity to visit in person. (We live in Arizona and nearly all of the best art/design programs seem to be east of the Mississippi -- except for Art Center College.)</p>

<p>So don't write NPD off, just know what they can and cannot do for you.</p>

1 Like
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<p>That's very different from my experience but I suppose it's because I'm a canadian and most of the students here opted for canadian schools.</p>

<p>I agree with all the posters here, definitely be prepared to line up during NPD. Since I went to the NPD in Toronto, a lot of the long lineups were for the canadian schools (Emily Carr, OCAD, York) and to a lesser extent some american ones (Parsons being one of them).</p>

<p>I arrived an hour before the opening of the doors, there was already a long lineup, so I suggest coming two hours earlier (or even more). I suggest that students go to the less popular schools (but still on their list) first because as the day progresses, the lines start to decrease.</p>

<p>I had the chance to talk to York/Sheridan (Canadian School), California College of Arts, Art Center and Otis. I was lucky, for CCA, Art Center, and Otis, there was only two or three people lining up. So if you're really desperate to talk to these folks, maybe go to the NPD in Canada. :)</p>

<p>It was actually helpful since I can't visit the american schools individually. I was especially impressed with the Art Center rep. She really looked into my work for twenty minutes or so, and really critiqued and gave me advice on what works and things to be included.</p>

<p>Prior to the NPD, I had zeroed in on Art Center and CCA as my first two chocies and that sentiment only increased after I met with the reps. It's definitely a great way to find out more about the school and what their interests is on you.</p>

<p>For all four of them, they told me I had a strong portfolio (now I don't know if they say that to everybody). Both CCA and ACCD told me to keep in touch and send in any new works that I may have. </p>

<p>It's really encouraging to go to these, more so if you get some feedback from the schools that you're looking at. </p>

<p>The only disappointment I had in Toronto's NPD is the fact that RISD didn't show up. Other than that, the day was quite productive and informative. Don't miss any of these events, it's worthwile!</p>

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<p>We attended NPD at Temple's Tyler School of Art a couple of weeks ago. I'd agree that many prior posts in this thread are right on - big crowd, long lines, only expect to see a few schools (we saw three), etc. The time is well spent nevertheless.</p>

<p>We found the day very useful for </p>

<p>1) getting a better feel for a few of the schools high on my daughter's list (what we went for), </p>

<p>2) getting specific feedback from admissions reveiwers with regard to portfolio (also a bit of a confidence boost and some low stakes practice for my daughter talking about her work - both of which may be valuable as we continue with this process), (also what we went for, more or less) and </p>

<p>3) getting to talk with other students and parents about their impressions of schools they're considering and especially those they've visited as part of their decision process. (the unexpected benefit)</p>

<p>This last opportunity is the main reason for this this post - if you do go to NPD, do take advantage of your time in line to talk with other students and parents about what they're thinking and finding out. We got some very helpful perspectives from other attendees, in addition to what we learned from the reps - and the time in line is much more enjoyable and goes much faster as well. </p>

<p>Over all the day was well worth it and I'd highly recommmend it for those at the right point in their process. BTW, for the day we attended, RISD was very well organized and had six or so reps in their own room giving pretty thorough reviews. Their line was as long or longer as some of the other "high demand" schools but moved much more quickly. Hats off to them for that.</p>

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<p>Bumping up for weatherwoman...
This is a very good thread to set about realistic expectations for NPD.</p>

<p>The best advice on here is to go with the intention of getting feedback on what to do to improve your portfolio for admission and then go to lesser known schools (because they have smaller lines you will get more opinions from a wider variety of schools and sometimes a longer more in-depth review).</p>

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<p>We had an unexpected nice thing from portfolio day-- afterward, two schools my son visited wrote to him urging him to apply. One he would have applied to anyway, but the other he wasn't really sure about. I thought that was commendable follow-up on the schools' part.</p>

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<p>That's one of the good things that can happen at an NPD. The same happened to my daughter, and she was admitted to those places when she later applied. So take courage from this experience.</p>

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<p>Thanks, mackinaw, I was kind of hoping that was what that meant!</p>

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<p>This is a great forum. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with a portfolio review day with tcead (<a href=“http://www.tcead.com%5B/url%5D”>www.tcead.com</a>). </p>

<p>I was just searching for portfolio review day in Toronto and they came up in the search results.</p>

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<p>The advice on this thread is great, but I don’t think anyone has mentioned the possibility of getting one’s portfolio pre-approved at NPD. That’s huge. When my son went to NPD in San Diego, his portfolio was pre-approved on the spot by SVA and SAIC. Now, as he’s slogging is way through his applications, he can breathe a little easier knowing he’ll have a couple of great options even if nobody else takes him.</p>

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<p>I’m going to revive this thread as NPDs are going on right now. We are considering either the one in NYC at the Javits Center or the one at SUNY Purchase. Javits is closer, but I wonder if the lines at Purchase will be shorter. Anyone have any thoughts?</p>

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<p>I’m going to revive this thread as NPDs are going on right now. We are considering either the one in NYC at the Javits Center or the one at SUNY Purchase. Javits is closer, but I wonder if the lines at Purchase will be shorter. Anyone have any thoughts?</p>

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<p>Thanks for reviving this thread! Going to go to NPD at Cal Arts with son on 10/11/14. After reading some of these posts, I wonder if it’s better for him to get a portfolio review at Art Center where he is taking weekend classes currently or Otis where he took summer classes. In fact, he will be missing his classes on figure drawing and character design on Sat in order to attend NPD at Cal Arts. He will be applying to animation programs at non-arts colleges, so I like the anonymity of NPD. Would he be “wasting” Art Center’s time or Otis’s time doing portfolio review if he does not plan on applying there for college?</p>

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<p>No, he will definitely not be wasting anyone’s time, even if he is not planning to apply there. The point of NPD is to get good expert advice on your portfolio. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Hi grnmtnmom,
Since my son is currently taking 2 classes at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, is it ok to ask for a portfolio review at the Art Center while he is on campus? Even if he doesn’t plan on applying to Art Center for college?</p>

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<p>Hi YoHoYoHo,
Sorry, I misunderstood your question the first time. But I think your son should go ahead and ask for a portfolio review while he is on campus. It couldn’t hurt. And he may change his mind.</p>