I applied ED to Penn and I feel I have a pretty decent shot. I’m applying to CAS and put architecture as my major. I spoke with the department head and he clarified that his department does not look at portfolios for freshmen; however, since I’m currently taking an introductory architecture course at a local community college, I figured it was worthwhile to throw some work from that class into the portfolio. I also threw in a bunch of my best photography.
So my question is, do you guys think this’ll have any impact on a decision, good or bad? If the portfolio is reviewed at all, it’ll probably be by the normal admissions people. I’d suspect their response to be along the lines of, “Oh, that’s nice,” and not giving it any weight. I’m just ranting at this point… Any thoughts/anyone in the same boat?
Kind of in the same boat. I submitted a Digital Media Design portfolio, and it was pretty strong but nothing super duper outstanding (like, I didn’t animate the next Pixar film lol). I think at most it can help you a small amount, and at worst it doesn’t do anything. Unless your entire application is based around that singular art (like, you’ve played at Carnegie Hall, all your ECs are music-related, you’ve won awards in that discipline, etc) then I think it’s just a little extra tidbit but nothing more.