I am sending a transfer application to Harvard for next year and had a question about their arts supplement option. I have never had formal instruction (meaning that I don’t really know how to do portfolios), however I believe I have enough talent that it may add something to my application when I do send it.
My questions for anyone that sent one in the past- Should my art portfolio show diversity, or should I stick with showing what I am the best at? I know Harvard website advised sending between 2 to 25 pieces through their Slideroom, but which number should I be closer to? Should I even consider it, although I am just doing a Fine Arts minor?
Basically, I am begging for any advice anyone may have for me. Thank you to anyone that responds! (:
Many students submitting an arts portfolio will have taken AP Studio Art and will be submitting art work directly from that course. So, you should review the sample Studio Art portfolios on the College Board website. If you choose to submit an arts portfolio, the quality of your work should match or exceed the portfolios that received a 5 in 2-D design, 3-D design or drawing: http://studioartportfolios.collegeboard.org/category/2015-drawing-breadth/
Don’t you already have work to show? I would not stress out about making new work to match the quality of others on the CB website.
Can you meet with an art teacher to give you an assessment and guide you on choices? Instruction might be of benefit to you regardless of where you apply to school…
The question about diversity versus what you do best is a good one. I would go for both! Choose one best work of each type. I would keep the numbers down, in the sense that you really only want to send your very best. If that is two, fine. If it is 5 or 10, fine. Over that and I think it is counterproductive unless you are already an international star!
Harvard didn’t have transfers at all a few years back. Chances are slim, and I am sure you know that : )
Given Harvard’s effective ~1-2% transfer admit rate, I think you should starkly ask this: “why should they take you into their fine arts program?” There are many outstanding and proven arts candidates. What would propel you past them?
I think you should prepare your portfolio but have a more realistic target schools. One to two percent transfer admit rate. Your “story” is that you want to be a Fine Arts major at Harvard. I don’t foresee a successful mating of the two, I’m sorry to say.
The poster is doing a fine arts minor. An arts supplement can be submitted regardless of intended major. But yes the chances for acceptance are less than slim. And a supplement can be more annoying than helpful if it is not justified. So assessment by a teacher would help determine whether submission is a good idea. Generally a school like Harvard would be looking for recognized accomplishments, such as summer programs, awards, exhibits etc. Art schools have the time to determine raw talent. In the case of a supplement for Harvard, a few art works can help round out the picture of who the student is, but no one should feel that a transfer admit is going to be in the cards until it happens!
FWIW: All transfer applicants are accepted to Harvard as Liberal Arts majors and choose a concentration during their sophomore year or the first week of their junior year. Student’s interested in concentrating in studio art must APPLY to the VES Department. Not all students are granted the concentration: http://ves.fas.harvard.edu/applying-concentrate
Bottom line: If accepted to Harvard, a student interested in studio art should have a back-up concentration just in case they are not accepted to VES