<p>I'm still debating whether or not I should submit one. I was told that I should have an art teacher look at my stuff and give me advice on this, but the thing is that I don't know any art teachers that do anything related to my field of art (computer generated imaging).</p>
<p>So...is there some sort of standard I should compare myself to? I have no idea..help?</p>
<p>Where are you applying? If the college says on their website that they encourage supplements, I’d go for it. If not, it’s really just your choice. No real way to tell.</p>
<p>I sent one in for a few schools, but the art work I put into my portfolio included none of my best works (couldn’t find them) and some I think were actually pretty bad. My intended majors and academic interests lie no where near anything related to art, but I still sent it in so that I could show this side of me. All I have, if it is even true, is a little bit of raw talent, and I didn’t have much to show, but I still sent a portfolio in. Each person’s artwork is unique. Even Picasso’s works were probably not “museum quality” during his time. I would say, if art is somehow important to you in a way, and if you think it can somehow show another side to you, then send it. After all, these schools look at applicants through a holistic approach. That said, they want to know the whole you if they can. So why not give it to them?</p>
<p>Wow. That is amazing. My work is kindergarten stick figures compared to yours. I bet some of your supposedly “lesser quality” works are just as spectacular. I would say to send in about 10 works, probably 8 minimum. Perhaps you can incorporate the animal shelter in your essay? Most people would encourage this, but it’s up to you. I, for one, know that sometimes these kind of things can’t just be stuck into essays. So you can choose to do so or not. Have you done any volunteering work for the shelter? I think helping them raise money through your pictures definitely counts as volunteering in a way (except you can’t really say anything for number of hours volunteered – you can explain this in your additional information page, maybe noting how much $ you helped raise instead). </p>
<p>But do send in copies of your work to show this unique side of you. I am almost positive it will help you much more than hurt you in any way.</p>
<p>Hi Ari7–I’ve helped put Art Supplement portfolios together for 7 students to date. Your work is gorgeous. I put anywhere from 10 to 12 images in a single pdf and we always put explanations at the bottom of each page–e.g. title (if appropriate), medium (watercolor or whatever), original size, and whether done from a photograph or life. Then you could add that it was sold or donated for such and such a charity.</p>
<p>I imagine that each school does it differently. I think some schools send the cd to the art department for review. Sooo, I suggest sending a hard copy “composite” with your Art Supplement (this will go paper clipped with the Art Supplement form, your art resume, and your letter of rec from an art teacher)–on good paper with your full name, date of birth, and the name of your high school designed nicely into the layout somewhere. On this composite you can have either a sampling of everything in your portfolio or just a few of your very best pieces. Take some time with this piece as the layout ends up being a piece of art in itself. You can also use this composite as the first “page” in your pdf portfolio. Your pdf should be a small file size as they are all busy and the last thing you want to do is try their patience with hefty, slow loading files.</p>
<p>Try asking the specific college where you’re planning to apply to see what you should do. I didn’t have an art teacher either and I just sent in the portfolio without anything else. You can probably email them about this (but maybe not right now since they’re probably busy with apps and stuff).</p>
<p>If you don’t have an art teacher that means you’ve never had an art class–you should feel awfully proud of your untrained ability!!! The Art Supplement form requires the art resume and art teacher rec, so since you would have neither I would send them a letter instead; explain why you don’t have those 2 required components of the supplement. It won’t hurt you–all this is just extra anyway, and the supplement form is just a way to keep all these submissions somewhat uniform for the inundated colleges. But I would still send the actual Art Supplement form you have to download from the Common Ap. BTW, a few colleges (fewer and fewer) don’t want the Common Ap Arts Supplement form. You do have to check carefully on their websites, or call the admissions office, to see what they want. I think there are a couple of dinosaurs who still want slides!!! (I think Yale?)</p>