Question on sending apps/portfolios and other things to colleges

<p>I was wondering if I am supposed to send everything at once to colleges? I am applying regular decision to all my schools but I want to get everything done fairly early so I am not rushing in December. I am an art student and plan on majoring in art so I am required at most of the schools to submit a portfolio. I am currently working on that and will need a couple months to actually get all my drawings completed. I need up to 20 pieces. As of right now, the school I really want to go to is the University of Vermont. They do not require a portfolio but I talked to the art department and they said I can submit one anyway. I am curious to know if I should also hold off on sending my applications and all that stuff until I have completed my portfolio? Or can I send everything at different times and they will put everything together? I would really like to get my payment, apps and essays done and submitted by mid October to all my schools but I know I will definitely not have my portfolio done that soon.</p>