<p>Hi everyone! I'm big into creative writing and would like to show my colleges some examples of my writing beyond the common app essay. However, I'm worried about bloating my application, if you know what I mean. As it stands, I have three pieces I'd like to send. One is a short story about a page and a half long, and the other two are poetry and microfiction. Overall, my portfolio would be about 2 to 2 and a half pages long.</p>
<p>Do you think that's a good idea? I heard adding too much writing can be a negative effect, but I also don't want the admissions officers to think I've only written a couple good pieces. These are my absolute best pieces, and I could add more, but again, I want to keep it concise.</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>hey, I’ve heard of people doing that before. I don’t think it will have a negative effect, after all, students submit music and art portfolios that must require a lot of time to review.
I think that’s a unique enough idea (and pastime, for someone our age) that it could look really cool to adcoms. Check the supplement requirements for the school you’re applying to, though. Some will have explicit directions/guidelines about extra writing, others (like Harvard) have a place for you to submit an additional piece (one - not two or three).
Ideally your essay will exhibit your skill as a writer, but if you are really passionate about it, and are possibly pursuing an English/lit related major, I’d go for it.</p>
<p>Read the instructions carefully. While submitting a creative writing portfolio that conforms to the instructions could be an advantage and is thus something I’d recommend, submitting anything that disregards the instructions just makes it that much easier for the admissions officers to reject you on the spot.</p>
<p>My son is doing this too because he wants to apply to Creative Writing programs in colleges, and because writing is his strongest interest and extra-curricular achievement. The guidance counselor showed us some portfolios done by other students in the past–they were not at all flashy, just a pocket folder with writing samples. I was thinking of going for something with a little more pizazz divided into sections. This is so individual depending on what you have written. For my son, he has published twice and won a scholastic gold key, does things at school like edit the lit mag, write for comedy improv troupe, write plays, etc. It’s kind of hard to visualize how to do this, but I was thinking sections with dividers. You definitely should make a portfolio–they are welcomed by college admissions if you are a creative writer, and they do get read. I would even go so far as to send one with a little note to a creative writing dept head, if there is one.</p>
<p>I’ve been wondering along the same lines, OP. Another question, though - are pieces of creative writing submitted via the art supplement?</p>