<p>The Roski School application instructions indicate "Your portfolio should not only represent your best skills in artin a variety of media or in a single areabut should also demonstrate the development of a personally unique idea or concepts that have inspired the work as a whole." This seems rather high falutin' - any suggestions about how to achieve this before December 1?</p>
<p>2wuhammom,</p>
<p>It does sound “high falutin’” doesn’t it? Well I guess USC-Roski is this demanding in their portfolios for several reasons:
1.) They expect that incoming artists be technically competent but also concept competent.
2.) They want to see how you think as an artist. It’s beautiful but why did you paint that? What are you saying with that image?
3.) They can afford to be REALLY demanding and picky because they have very few seats (about 45 if I remember right) for many applicants (probably 900 this year). </p>
<p>It would be difficult to put a killer portfolio together in less than one month so I’m assuming you started yours awhile ago. Are you a painter?</p>
<ul>
<li>Wheaty</li>
</ul>
<p>My D is the applicant. She is interested in USC because of the wonderful art school but also has other academic interests, especially East Asian languages. Her portfolio is technically strong but it doesn’t “demonstrate the development of a personally unique idea or concepts.” Do you think she would be better off applying to the USC college of arts and sciences, with a plan to minor in art?</p>
<p>2wuhammom,</p>
<p>No, she should continue with her application to Roski. The way it works at USC-Roski is her application will go to USC’s Admissions office first, if approved to enter USC then it will be sent to the Roski School to see if she gets accepted into that school. In your daughter’s case this will work to her advantage. </p>
<p>Let’s say she is accepted by USC (based on stats and essays) but not by Roski (based on portfolio)… what happens? She will be offered a spot in either her second choice major OR a spot in their default school, the Dornsife College of Arts and Science. :)</p>
<p>So from that standpoint she’s in good shape. Apply first choice to Roski and let’s see what happens. If just one image connects with one reviewer then she has a chance. Have her submit her best work and cross your fingers! The Dornsife backup plan is a good idea.</p>
<p>Best,
Wheaty</p>
<p>Thanks, Wheaty!</p>
<p>Best of luck to your D, 1wuhanmom. I think the high falutin’ language reveals that Roski (like many art schools) is not so much impressed with beautiful renderings of manga, for example. While technically fine, such work may not reveal much individual vision and can be less revealing of the artist’s own style and inspiration. </p>
<p>Or perhaps I am reading too much between the lines? In any event, if your D’s work is personal, comes from her own inspiration, and shows originality she should be fine.</p>