<p>I am a senior in high school planning to apply to graphic design programs. A year ago, I wasn't expecting to be applying to art programs-- I thought that I would major in something like CS and then maybe minor in art. However, over the summer I was in a program that required me to be an artist and a programmer, and I realized that (whoops) I really cannot stand programming. So, off to the art programs I go!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, this situation leaves me at kind of a disadvantage-- meaning, I have no idea what the heck I'm doing, compared to kids who have been groomed for art school admissions their whole lives. In about a month I plan to attend a Boston University portfolio review session. What exactly happens at a portfolio review? What do I do? How should my work be presented? </p>
<p>I feel like I'm flying blind and I'm pretty nervous about the next couple of months. If anyone can shed any light or personal experience on portfolio reviews, or anything else in the admission process, I would be eternally grateful!</p>
<p>My son went through a number of portfolio reviews (I only sat in on one so these comments are based on what he told me afterward) and most consisted of…a little chit chat about his background and then they started looking at his art. Some started with his sketch book which was good for him because his IB sketch book showed his ideas and then he would fire up his computer and he would show them his work …for most of his reviews (SMFA, SAIC, MICA, Temple) he showed digital photos of his 2 and 3-D works (paintings, sketches, small sculptures) and his animations. He said they would ask questions such as…what stimulated his interest in something or ask about the way he approached his figure drawings…what he thought was successful in a piece and what he thought needed improvement. Sometimes the reviewer would say what they liked and where they thought he needed to work. Twice he was asked about which artists he liked, inspired him and why. </p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon was different because they preferred that he bring the pieces to the review. He had to set up his art in a space in a big roomso that reviewers could look at it and it was nerve wracking because all of the kids had their stuff out and you could see how good the others were. The reviewers looked at the stuff without the student first and then brought them back for interviews. However, the questions were similar and the feedback was immediate at least for him. At SAIC and SMFA they accepted his portfolio and him on the spot (I found this a big turnoff–that’s me). CMU art didn’t do that but he did get very positive feedback so he knew, at least on the art side, he was likely to be accepted. </p>
<p>VCU used the live portfolio review, not so much for admissions, as feedback sessions for preparing the portfolio for submission online for admission. Kids were interviewed in a large room so there were multiple reviews going on simultaneously. My S had a painting prof as his reviewer and once she saw his work was not much painting she went and found an animation/time based type guy to give more meaningful feedback. That was a very positive experience. We really appreciated that professors did the review not admissions people. This was true at CMU also. At SAIC and SMFA the reviewers were in admissions not faculty.</p>
<p>Generally, the review finished with questions about his plans and his interests. Generallly, we found they were trying to sell the school a little to him. Not that different from an academic interview in many ways.</p>
<p>Are you sure its a portfolio review at BU or just a tour of the school? Tell us where you are applying and we can shed some light on individual places maybe.</p>
<p>That doesn’t sound quite so intimidating. I have this image in my head of tall dark professors shrouded in shadows tearing my work to shreds! </p>
<p>Switters, I’m sure that it’s a portfolio review – I’m applying for the Trustee scholarship (Long shot, but full tuition and fees? Worth a try!) so I have to have my portfolio reviewed on the ED day. I am also applying to CMU, Syracuse, RIT, UMich, and a UMass as a safety, but I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to attend a portfolio review in person for anywhere else (except UMass).</p>
<p>Willa…you don’t have to go to CMU for the review, you can send a cd. If you do decide to apply there is no ED or EA for art students so you can go to a sleeping bag weekend and show your stuff. Don’t give up on a visit…keep an eye out for really good deals on southwest and jetblue to pittsburgh from Boston. Also, CMU will help with travel expenses if you have financial need. </p>
<p>RIT had very specific requirements for how to submit a portfolio via CD but it depends on which of the various programs you apply to. They have quite good merit aid so that may be a good place to apply. So there are two I know about…Now for a scholarship portfolio review it may be a bit different. However, the admissions/scholarship committee will have no reason to really grill you. They want to see your art, what makes you tick and whether you can articulate what you are trying to achieve. They may give you some positive feedback or constructive criticism but I can’t see why they would want to destroy the confidence of a 17 year old artist just starting out. Even for a scholarship competition, they know that only one or two may get the scholarship but the rest of the students applying may become productive (and tuition paying) students if they are nice to them! That doesn’t mean they will lie to you if they think you have a lot of work to do, but I would think an aggressive or really rigorous interview is highly unlikely.</p>
<p>^No, At CMU there is early decision for art students. Art students can only submit an application for the Early Decision I date which is November 1. The regular decision application deadline for art students is December 1 (which is the Early Decision II date for other majors at CMU).</p>
<p>fineartsmajormom- I actually have visited CMU-- I spent most of the summer there for their pre-college program. I was in the National High School Game Academy, which is actually what spurred the decision to go from a probable CS major to a graphic design major (dealing with the two side by side really highlighted how much more I liked art/design). It was a fantastic experience in ways that I cannot even explain, and Pittsburgh is really a fantastic city, but the very high cost and low aid of CMU just makes it sort of an unrealistic choice for me. There are also a few other factors, like location/distance from home, that sway me away from it. Still! I plan to apply.</p>
<p>I know that most colleges let you do a digital upload of sort for your portfolio. That I’m not worried about. the only part that makes me nervous is having to do an in person review, which is far more intimidating than clicking a “submit” button, sadly!</p>
<p>/// - I know that most colleges let you do a digital upload of sort for your portfolio. That I’m not worried about. the only part that makes me nervous is having to do an in person review, which is far more intimidating than clicking a “submit” button, sadly! - ///</p>
<p>Just be yourself, seriously. Enjoy being there. Smile, and be friendly. That’s all.</p>