I plan on applying to some competitive schools Dartmouth, Middleburg, Williams. I realize admission to any of these schools would be slim to begin with, but how much can a strong art portfolio affect my chances of being admitted.
It partly depends on whether you’re applying as a prospective art major. If so, then the portfolio can make a HUGE difference. If not, well, that’s harder to say. @cole1998
As much I usually agree with @marvin100 , at least for Dartmouth, I doubt that it will make much of a difference, since they don’t admit by major. You might get a slight boost, but it will not offset if there are weaknesses elsewhere in your application.
It would probably only help if you are applying to a specific major, or the college specifically says they consider supplements.
I don’t know the specifics of D’mouth but most schools give prospective art majors’ portfolios to art profs for evaluation but non-majors’ portfolios are frequently reviewed only by adcoms.