<p>I was just wondering what exactly I should put in my portfolio.</p>
<p>I didn't take any art courses in my high school, and the one class I took over the summer wasn't that great-- we just drew circles and made stencils-- nothing I would ever consider putting in my portfolio.</p>
<p>So basically, I have to produce all 15 pieces in this 4, 5 month period before EA applications are due. So far, I have 4 realistic portraits in pencil (they're pretty similar) and one simple acrylic painting. I was thinking of doing one more acrylic painting-- maybe of my house (to show my architectural potential???). I'm not really great at painting so I don't want to put too many of those in it. And I've never worked with 3D or photography before.</p>
<p>Would it be bad to just have the majority of my portfolio be black and white sketches? Does variety really count for much if the quality of the works is consistently good?</p>
<p>Where are you applying? Some schools don't want a portfolio (Penn State, Maryland), at some it's optional (UVa, Yale, Penn, Northeastern), and at some it's mandatory - along with an evaluative portfolio interview (Cornell, Syracuse).</p>
<p>My impression was that the sketches were the most important part of the portfolio. D included a variety of art - oil, acrylic, batik, color and graphite sketches. They seemed most interested in the drawings - especially those from real life. </p>
<p>Syracuse has some sample portfolios and suggestions on their website.</p>
<p>Also be aware that format for each school is different. Cornell, Syracuse, UVa accept a booklet style. Northeastern required everything sent to them on disc. Yale required slides and Penn wanted you to squeeze whatever you were submitting onto two sheets of paper. Which is kind of tough when you've narrowed your work down to your best 15 or 20 pieces.</p>
<p>D submitted a lot of graphite portraits. A few buildings and still lifes, but the fact that she focused on people did not hurt her admission prospects.</p>
<p>My problem is that because I didn't get to take any art courses, I haven't experimented with many mediums. If I do end up submitting any watercolors/acrylics/pastels, it'll mean that I'm submitting my first attempts with those mediums.</p>
<p>D will be starting Cornell's BArch program this fall. </p>
<p>Do what you can this summer. Take what you have to a Portfolio Day or to one of the schools that you're interested in and ask for feedback. For Cornell and Syracuse you'll have to do a portfolio interview - just ask the Prof that you're speaking with what he/she thinks are the stronger pieces and whether he/she recommends any type over another. Stop at the architecture department when you visit the schools - they have sample portfolios to check. Pick up the phone and talk someone in the architecture department. They are amazingly helpful. </p>
<p>Stick with mediums that will show your talent, period. I have seen all sorts of portfolios and while sketches/drawings are important-- they do not need to be the majority of your portfolio, unless you want them to be. I would say that you need at least two different types of medium-- maybe photography and drawing- for instance. Don't submit a lot of repetitions in terms of composition- four self portraits, unless done in very different ways is going to hurt your portfolio. Nothing has to be perfect, and shouldn’t be; an overly perfected and glitzy work won’t reveal anything about the thought process. Remember that everyone’s portfolio is going to be different- the main thing you are showing is an ability to put together compositions and a talent for expressing ideas. BTW- for Pratt there are always some specific pieces they want and Cooper Union just has the home test without any sort of portfolio.</p>
<p>i got admitted ED to cornell's architecture program. as far as the portfolio, they are really looking for variety and a wide range of skills. they DO NOT WANT ANY COMPUTER/ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS!!! you should find out from each school what they want in the portfolio...usually its pretty much the same things if they have any requirements (i know a lot want a bicycle). i had pencil, colored pencil (my favorite :D), watercolor, oil, quick pencil sketches, and sculpture. if you give me your email address, i can find a copy of my portfolio and email it to you</p>
<p>and i didnt use any picture that i did in art class. at all.</p>
<p>"Northeastern required everything sent to them on disc. Yale required slides and Penn wanted you to squeeze whatever you were submitting onto two sheets of paper."</p>
<p>From their websites, I was under the impression that Northeastern and Penn State did not require a portfolio...</p>
<p>Last year when we were gathering information Penn was not interested in looking at anything! PennState will ask for a portfolio if you are on the fence.</p>
<p>"From their websites, I was under the impression that Northeastern and Penn State did not require a portfolio..."</p>
<p>Sorry I left the wrong impression aymyoonik - Neither Penn (that's the Univ of Pennsylvania) nor Northeastern require portfolios (at least not for this year's apps); art Supplements were optional. And Fedmom is correct on Penn State as well, you can get admitted on grades/SATs/ECs, but they told us that they'll look at your portfolio before they'd reject you.</p>