I am thinking about submitting a visual arts supplement when I apply early to Stanford. In my opinion, I have great technical rendering skills, but I am quite weak when it comes to abstraction and taking risks. A lot of people at my school consider me to be an “amazing artist” and I am quite confident in my skill. I’m not that interested in contests, so I’ve never really entered any; the only way I have to prove my skill in my college app is through this art supplement.
Looking at other portfolios, I think that my drawing skills are about on the level of the most high-scoring AP Studio Art portfolios, but my creativity and originality is pretty lacking. I think I would have a good chance of submitting an “outstanding” portfolio if I really push myself out of my comfort zone, though.
Anyway, though, how critical do you think the faculty who review art supplements are? More critical than the AP Studio Art reviewers, less, or about the same? Thoughts on the visual arts supplement?