<p>I'm planning to apply to Parsons this fall and originally had intended to apply early, by the Nov 1 deadline.</p>
<p>I would have enough materials ready to apply then, but I would not be able to attend National Portfolio Day and get feedback on my portfolio from Parsons themselves because NPD in my area is not till January :(</p>
<p>I am very confident in what I have right now with my portfolio, as well as with grades and ECs. So it wouldn't be an issue of me being extremely behind with my portfolio right now or needing to improve grades senior year. But perhaps being able to attend NPD will allow me to get the portfolio into tip top shape. (And I really need all the money I can get to make it easier on my parents)</p>
<p>By applying early, it would show that I'm very interested in the school, but does it really have that much of an effect on determining how much of a merit scholarship they would award me? Or would I be better off waiting, and attending NPD, and then applying regular (but I'm worried by then would there be more competition for available funds?)</p>
<p>What do you guys think? Thanks a ton in advance! :)</p>
<p>Looking at the website, I’d use the February 1st deadline. More time on a portfolio always means a better one. A better portfolio means more money. And it seems there are no consequences for using the later one. Using the earlier deadline is more for you than for Parsons. They can give you a merit award and decision a lot earlier and usually a financial aid package as well. Then again, if you are applying to a lot of art schools, that stuff usually comes around the same time. They’d probably get decisions out in the middle of March, and you’d have a month and a half or so to decide and plan how your going to get there. Be prepared for all your friends knowing where they are going before you do. </p>
<p>If you’d want to get an opinion on your portfolio earlier though, try calling admissions and asking them if it is possible to get a portfolio reviewed before then. You could show them a web album of your work and they could either email you a critique or they could talk about with you over the phone. Explain how you want to use the Nov 1st deadline and how they would come to your area after it but you would really love to hear what they have to say. They could be really helpful.</p>
<p>You could also ask the admissions office if you can submit a portfolio for acceptance, but continue to work on it until the deadline for merit money. Mica did this. My dd’s portfolio was accepted early (on a visit) and then she applied and then she continued to work on her portfolio for money until the deadline. My dd could not have waited until the last minute to find out about going to schools. Also, if the portfolio day was before Christmas, you might have a decent amount of time to change things, but really, if it is in January (probably not the 1st, so sometime after the 7th?), how much time will you realistically have to revamp your portfolio.</p>
<p>Have you at least visited Parsons once? Did you get a review then? Do you have a contact you can call? My dd found that the people she met with when she toured the various schools were more than happy to answer these types of questions, and it showed interest! Good luck.</p>
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