<p>A friend told me her daugher's guidance counselor requires each senior to submit a portfolio of writing samples, news clips of accomplishments, photos, etc. to each college along with the application. I've never heard of doing this, except for students trying to get into specialized programs like art. Is this a good idea, or do the schools consider it a nuisance?</p>
<p>If a school provides an option to submit an optional essay or piece of work, then by all means, do it. From what I've read, some schools encourage it while others consider them extra baggage. Focus more on quality than quantity.</p>
<p>Considering that many GC have a hard time sending the correct information to the designated schools, this has all the makings of a recipe for disaster. </p>
<p>Regardless of the insistence of a GC to "control" the application process, I would fight tooth and nail for the right to decide what goes in my application package. There is already enough of a nuisance factor to have to deal with the mostly asinine process of needing a "recommendation" from a GC. </p>
<p>Despite the fact that we have read a few reports of great GC's on CC, nothing I've seen has changed my opinion that the GC's represent the weakest link in the application process, with scores of reports of incompetence and overburdening. </p>
<p>As far as the schools accepting "scrapbooks", it should be obvious that they are on the road to simplify and automate the process through online applications. Having to sort through heaps of pink and light blue collages of baby pictures does not seem to be part of their plans. </p>
<p>PS I know that the OP did not mention baby pictures :)</p>
<p>Ha, ha, Xiggi, that's what I thought too.</p>