<p>Hanae, I assume by portfolio you mean slides. Here are a few examples of instructions for submitting supplemental material which will give you a general idea. Next year when youve narrowed down your list Id suggest you call the individual colleges and for more information if they do not provide instructions on their websites. </p>
<p>Williams
<a href="http://www.williams.edu/admission/apply_appinstructions.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.williams.edu/admission/apply_appinstructions.php</a></p>
<p>Wesleyan
<a href="http://www.wesleyan.edu/admission/applying/supplemental_materials.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.wesleyan.edu/admission/applying/supplemental_materials.html</a></p>
<p>Amherst (scroll down its on page 21)
<a href="http://www.amherst.edu/admission/process/firstyearapp0506.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.amherst.edu/admission/process/firstyearapp0506.pdf</a></p>
<p>If you can afford it, go with a professional photographer. Artworks of any media are difficult to capture on film. If you do end up taking the slides yourself, make sure you have good lighting. Take many options of each work. If you have a slide projector, view them on a large scale for shadows, finger prints, focus etc.</p>
<p>The slide selection should include a wide range of media, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, whatever you have done. Remember the objective is to show that you are serious, talented, teachable and will contribute to the department, not to get a show at MoMA. Drawings should be from life and are VERY important. We were told that colleges especially like self portraits. Include works that show technical expertise as well as creativity. Off beat works are acceptable. </p>
<p>I very much liked the idea of the total arts package. My son assembled all of the following and clipped them together. They were mailed with the application.</p>
<p>A. Slides
In plastic slide folders. All numbered and labeled with his name. Some schools are specific on the required labels.</p>
<p>B. List (inventory) of slides
Number, Title, Date, Size, Medium</p>
<p>C. Arts Resume
A brief personal statement, about a paragraph. Something along the line of what art means to me plus a list of media and technical expertise.
A list of all high school art classes and grades
Scores of related tests (for my son it was IB)
Awards and accomplishments
Summer programs and activities
Participation in shows, exhibitions
Exceptional projects for example, my son wrote his IB thesis on an architectural topic</p>
<p>D. Recommendation from an art teacher/professional</p>
<p>E. Short essay
My son chose another EC for his short essay on the activity that meant the most to you. If you choose to write about art or any art related activities, the essay could go in the arts package as well.</p>
<p>Good luck on your visits. Of the schools on your list my son visited and really liked Wesleyan, Skidmore and obviously Williams. He didnt visit Vassar, but probably should have. Not on your list but also good for art are Smith, Kenyon, Conn College and Hamilton. I wouldnt recommend Trinitys art department. The program at Tufts is a joint venture with the Boston MFA which seems a little unwieldy to me. The others Ive not investigated.</p>