I’ll be applying ED to AAP’s B.Arch program. For the portfolio pieces, do you recommend including some sketchbook pages that show technical competence and a visual eye? I am between the range, so adding this piece would porbably not affect my other pieces. What do you think? Should I include it or stick to finished art works?
Drawing technique is definitely important in architecture portfolios, so I would include sketches if you’re confident in your skills. I’m a 5th year BArch at Cornell and I know many of my peers included pages from travel sketchbooks, etc. If you plan to have an interview on campus or with an alumnus, you should definitely ask their opinion about what to include, as well. I would advise bringing more art works than you plan to put in your portfolio and see what they think. They’ll give a candid opinion and it won’t affect your final admissions decision, as a different panel of professors reviews your final portfolio.
blanketsCU,
Thanks for replying! I unfortunately already had my interview (with an alumni, as I’m an international applicant) and I only took 5 finished pieces, instead of bringing everything. However, the interviewer said that they were strong and asked that I email him a “draft” of my portfolio. I know that the interview is important, however I was hoping that the fact that I had only 5 pieces with me for the interview won’t hurt me. Do you know how important this might be?
Thanks again for replying 
The quality and content of your portfolio isn’t really part of the interview, so I wouldn’t worry. The interview provides another opportunity to add personality to your application. Applicants who cannot arrange a face-to-face interview write an additional essay, so you can see it’s mostly about explaining who you are, not your portfolio.