einnob

How much of a difference does a strong art portfolio really make when applying to colleges, especially for those that make the portfolio part optional?

Im especially looking at Notre Dame and WUSTL, I know they look at applicants altogether, rather than separating people who want to do architecture only. Does sending a portfolio really help?

mark10

einnob -

It totally depends on the school whether they put heavy weight on portfolios in their decision. Some schools (U. of Cincinnati, VA Tech) don't take portfolios, while some (Pratt) base admission quite heavily on the portfolio. I don't know specifically about ND or WUSTL, but it should be on their website.

msheft

Generalization: public schools tend to not require portfolios while private schools tend to require them. When my son visited Penn St, the architecture person said that many high schools because of finances tend to drop art courses and music course first. This puts students at such school at a disadvantage. As a public school they couldn't eliminate these students from consideration so they didn't require a portfolio.

archmom

Einnob:

My daughter was accepted last year to WUSTL architecture, which is portfolio-optional. (Didn't wind up there, however.) Since she already had put together her portfolio for other schools, she sent it in. Both she and I are convinced her acceptance was primarily due to her portfolio.

So if you have a portfolio at all, send it. It shows interest, preparation, seriousness and "passion".