Can my art portfolio, or any in general, really help make an application for an Ivy League?

Applying to College
1

Hi, I am applying to a few ivies, and am using slideroom to upload my portfolio. Art is a huge part of who I am, my personal statement was how I brought art into astrophysics research and how I brought my research into my art. I am curious, if a portfolio is REALLY REALLY good, (Not saying mine is, but lets say an applicant was phenomenal in the arts, a “top varsity athlete” in art, so to say…) how much would it weigh on admissions?

If you guys want I can post a sample here if you want to compare my personal chances of having art help me.

2

I’m sending in a music supplement. For example, according to Columbia’s site, they say that once they’ve reviewed your app to see if your academically qualified, the supplement has a potential to make a significant impact on your admission decision. Only Columbia has specifically stated that, but I’m assuming it should be relatively similar to other ivies.

3

It can absolutely help, but most colleges won’t show a portfolio to an art department faculty member unless the applicant is a potential art major.

4

^Not true. In fact, many students who intend on sending a music supplement aren’t even majoring in the major that their supplement may be related to. But yes, there are some cases where colleges won’t always sent the portfolio to their respective department, but that’s usually if an applicant’s numbers are not academically qualified for that specific school.

5

@ayyyyyyy

This is correct, and it doesn’t at all conflict with what I wrote.

This is false. Most colleges won’t share the portfolio with the department unless the applicant is an art (or music) major.

6

@marvin100 “Most colleges won’t share the portfolio with the department unless the applicant is an art (or music) major.”

Yes, I agree. “Most” colleges don’t even allow applicants to submit a portfolio if they aren’t even majoring in art/music. However, we’re talking in respect to the ivies for OP’s sake. And as far as I know, every ivy (except for Cornell) shares an applicant’s portfolio to their respective department as long as they pass the first round, which determines if the applicant is academically qualified or not. There may be a few exceptions, but for the most part, I stand by my statement.

7

An unusually strong portfolio can certainly help, particularly if your art integrates into your overall narrative and figures to be a part of your future. The less it stands out, and the more it’s just a side activity, the less effect it will be likely to have. In some cases, a supplement may have a negative effect - no one likes to have their time wasted reviewing work which doesn’t meet standards, or which doesn’t really fit in to an applicant’s overall narrative. Even a very strong portfolio will be unlikely to overcome major academic deficiencies, however.

Is art important enough to your long term plan that you would consider applying to the Brown-RISD joint program? A RISD-caliber portfolio would definitely stand out at the Ivies and similar highly selective colleges. The idea of bringing your art into astrophysics research is appealing, and could definitely help you stand out.

Here’s a couple of video clips from students in the Brown-RISD program who have combined art with science quite effectively:

http://motionographer.com/2014/05/30/xiangjun-shi-why-do-i-study-physics/
http://browncreativemind.com/conversations/lizzie-kripkie-brownrisd-dual-degree/

I would also be rigorous in making sure that your portfolio is really of sufficiently high quality to stand out. Many applicants have an opinion of their talents that isn’t necessarily backed up by their work. I’ve seen a lot of kids delude themselves, and ignore advice, plunging ahead under the mistaken belief that they will be recognized as the next great talent. External awards help, but art is highly subjective. Is your art at the level of Scholastic Arts and Writing National Portfolio work, or YoungArts finalist level? That would definitely stand out.

Many of the top award winners and portfolio applicants are kids who come from schools with nationally known programs, and who have been exposed to teachers who understand what goes into making a good portfolio - places like Dreyfoos School for the Arts, Miami DASH, GW Carver, etc. Having professional advice definitely makes a difference, as does assembling a well-presented portfolio. Lighting and photography make a difference.

There is a RISD adjunct professor (who also teaches at the RISD pre-college program) named Clara Lieu who charges a fairly nominal fee to critically review portfolios. She’s worked with tons of pre-college kids, and has good insights on where many students tend to go off track.

https://claralieu.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/college-art-portfolio-video-critiques/

If you are applying this year then you are way behind the curve. If you are applying for next year, and if art is a major part of your narrative and future plans, then I would really work to put together a top notch portfolio. It takes a lot of time, and many people underestimate that.

8

“And as far as I know, every ivy (except for Cornell) shares an applicant’s portfolio to their respective department as long as they pass the first round, which determines if the applicant is academically qualified or not.”

Nope. Marvin is right. There has to be some reason to ask faculty to review and that doesn’t apply to every kid who gets past first cut. In fact, Columbia says, “we can provide no guarantee that all materials will be reviewed or evaluated, as they are not required for the admission process.”

The point in getting into college isn’t how great you are. It has a lot to do with your potential to contribute to the campus community. OP seems to be asking if her art skills could be a tip. It’s not as simple as his/her talent or how much she loves it. The intention seems to be a stem major. Maybe the art interest shows some rounding. We don’t know more.

9

For a serious artist considering attending a non-conservatory college, I suggest getting out ahead of the application process.

Research where and who you want to further your art with - if that’s what you want to do. Then, tour the department(s), set up meetings with professors, talk with other student artists, attend studio classes, inquire about applied lessons etc… An Ivy League school may or may not be the best place to be.

My daughter met with one professor at a large university (not an Ivy league school, but most selective) that actually had a designated liaison with the admissions department who advocated for students they wanted - information she would have not known without visiting. At the university she does attend (incidentally an Ivy League School) a professor she met with and got to know pretty well was kind enough to put in a good word to her regional admissions officer. That may have helped her - the prof said probably not - but I think it couldn’t have hurt.

Also, I think it does help to have outside validation from groups like YoungArts which you can list in ypur applications - perhaps even in lieu of supplements, because it makes the admission officers job that much easier - they don’t have to seek out validation of your skill.

I realize you’ve already applied - did you research artistic resources available at the schools applied to? Did you show your art to anyone there?

Best of luck!

10

My main concentration is astro, so art has come second always. I hope to reach out during the week to some professors about my art, however. Thank you!

11

Here’s a different take on things: I was accompanying my Ivy admissions rep to some nearby schools as she was touring our area. At one school, we just sat around a table and spoke with the students. Regarding artistic supplements, she said: “If it’s meaningful to you, it’s meaningful to us. If it illuminates who you are – that’s cool. You don’t have to be conservatory ready or your pieces ready for the gallery. Tell me, your reader, what makes you tick.”

For this admissions officer, she wanted the students to know they could express themselves freely – even in supplement submissions.

Now this wasn’t an invite to share junky stuff or some screechy “American Idol” audition tape – but you get her drift.