I have a bunch of sketchbook assignments I had to do for IB Art and the teacher advised us to show colleges or interviewers because “they would be very impressed.” The sketchbook assignment is essentially supposed to be a balance of art and research in an aesthetically pleasing balance. Admittedly, some of the pages I have were done completely last minute, but some of them are actually quite good. However, I’m kinda skeptic about what my teacher said. Would it be a mistake to attempt to submit some of these as a part of my portfolio?
I’d contact the schools you’re applying to and ask them whether they’d welcome what you’re proposing to add and work with them.
As an interviewer, this would not be of value to me — I’m simply not qualified to note if you have talent or not. I’d be in the position to politely say: “Oh, that’s nice!”
Do you want to major in fine art?
–If so I would present finished work of exemplary quality rather than sketches.
–If not, then I don’t think there is any reason to include sketches in your application or interview. College admission officers are swamped right now and are not looking for visual confirmation of what is on an application (and your transcript would show IB Art).
IMO it would be presumptuous to bring them to an interview – as noted above most interviewers would not have the skill to evaluate your work.
I’m assuming you aren’t planning to major in art, because if you were, you would have a serious portfolio developed. The art supplement is used if you have a particular talent you wish to share. It’s useful for showing what you have produced in all the time you have dedicated to your art. If you haven’t already written an artist’s statement, you should do that, and include it with any supplement you include on an application for an institution that has a place for a supplement. An interview is not the place to show off your sketch book.
Adcoms don’t judge art. They may look, may personally like something. But the portfolio would go to the dept. Usually, under two conditions: they like you already for the college (the depts don’t screen every submission) and art is relevant to your academic plans at that school. Music is a bit different because so many groups need members. But you stil need to be a clear semi-finalist.
Yeah, I’m not planning on majoring in any fine art or studio art subjects. Thank you all for your comments! They were very helpful.