Here you will find information about different portfolio requirements for various schools.
Please note that all admission deadlines are last possibilities. You should plan on applying earlier for better chances at admission and scholarships!!!
College Search links:
http://kwoods.org/students/college.html
College for Creative Studies
http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/
Additional Portfolio Requirements
http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/portfolio-assistance/portfolio-requirements
http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/portfolio-assistance
You can get an informal critique from CCS by uploading your portfolio to Flickr or Youtube. Follow instructions on the right of the page here:
http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/portfolio-assistance
Kendall College of Art and Design
www.kcad.edu
Your portfolio must contain a sufficient amount of examples to show your serious commitment. Your portfolio must contain 10 to 15 finished pieces, beginning with 5-7 observational drawings (that is, drawings from real life. For example, still life, portrait, landscape, and figure, design drawing, perspective drawings from life and refined product drawings. No drawings from photos). The other portion of examples is open to your individual passions and personality. This might be a refined body with a cohesive concept of work, best of your private work or a collection of your favorite experiments. Depending on your program of interest please include related work - paintings, prints, photos, graphics, ceramics, furniture, models, jewelry, character/concept art, illustration, animation or web design - whatever you like and are good at doing.
More information:
http://www.kcad.edu/admissions/apply-undergrad/
http://www.kcad.edu/admissions/apply-undergrad/submit-your-portfolio/
http://www.kcad.edu/admissions/apply-undergrad/submit-your-portfolio/preparing-your-portfolio/
Grand Valley State University
http://gvsu.edu/art/
Your portfolio should include eight to twelve pieces of artwork that best represents you as an artist. Use your portfolio to present depth within one particular direction or a diverse range of media, abilities, and interests. Areas of art and design that could be included are: drawing, sculpture, metalsmithing, ceramics, printmaking, illustration, graphic design, painting, digital media, and visual studies. We strongly prefer seeing drawings from life as opposed to copies from photographs. You may include work done in summer and Saturday classes as well as personal work done without supervision. One of the pieces may be a sketchbook that contains drawings you did for fun, works used to generate ideas, or studies of objects and people. Other than sketchbook work, the rest of the work in the portfolio should demonstrate: Compositional unity and variety, Sensitive use of materials, Creative expression of ideas, Effective use of the entire image area or space in three-dimensional work, Evidence of time and effort spent to complete work, Drawing from life (if drawings are included)
More information:
http://www.gvsu.edu/cms3/assets/2644B7F7-A19E-4F86-DDFC0CE15148C500/pdf/13-14_fresh_app_revised_092013.pdf
University of Michigan
http://art-design.umich.edu/
A Strong Portfolio Includes:
More information:
http://art-design.umich.edu/prospective/undergraduate/portfolio
Western Michigan University
http://www.wmich.edu/art/
Your portfolio is an essential part of us getting to know you, and should highlight your artistic strengths and abilities. The work you submit should be recent (created within the last two years) and original (do not include work that is drawn from photographs or other artists' work). Your complete portfolio should have between eight and ten original works. While these works may have been assignments for art classes, we strongly encourage you to create pieces for your portfolio that reflect your individual ideas, talents and inspirations.ated. Portfolios should include the following:
More information:
http://www.wmich.edu/art/admissions/undergrad/ba.html
Michigan State University
http://www.art.msu.edu/
Central Michigan University
https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/CCFA/CCFADepartmentofArtandDesign/Pages/default.aspx
Northern Michigan University
http://art.nmu.edu/department/
Eastern Michigan University
http://art.emich.edu/
Wayne State University
http://art.wayne.edu/
Siena Heights University
http://www.studioangelico.com/index.html
http://www.sienaheights.edu/Academics/ProgramDetail/tabid/73/MajorID/ART/CampusID/1/Default.aspx
Portfolio expectations:
Drawings demonstrating your ability to draw from observation, still lifes, figures, or landscapes and examples of as many different art media as you have explored, including design, photography, painting, sculpture, ceramics and metalsmithing.
Finlandia
http://www.finlandia.edu/ISAD/ISAD2.html
Pratt Institute (NYC)
http://www.pratt.edu/academics/art_design/
All first-time freshman art, design, and architecture applicants including photography but not including art history BA applicants must submit a visual portfolio consisting of 12–20 pieces of two-or three-dimensional work
The visual portfolio should consist of a variety of media and approaches. It can include assignment-based projects, self-directed work or pieces of a collaborative nature. The portfolio does not need to be specific to the discipline to which you are applying. The portfolio must include at least three to five pieces of work from observation. (See below for a description of the observational process). Applicants should avoid including work that copies photographs, uses the grid system, or directly replicates any other artist's work (including replicating anime drawings, cartoons, or video game character designs).
More information:
http://www.pratt.edu/admissions/applying/applying_undergrad/ug_application_requirements/freshmen/
Ringling College of Art and Design
http://www.ringling.edu/
More information:
http://www.ringling.edu/admissions-financial-aid/admissions/requirements-portfolio/
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
http://www.saic.edu/
http://www.saic.edu/admissions/ug/first-timefreshmen/
Savannah College of Art and Design
http://www.scad.edu/
http://www.scad.edu/admission/portfolio-and-writing-guidelines
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
http://fidm.edu/
http://fidm.edu/en/Admissions/How+to+Apply
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
http://mcad.edu/
http://mcad.edu/admissions/application-requirements/undergraduate
California College of the Arts
https://www.cca.edu/
https://www.cca.edu/admissions/undergrad
Please note that all admission deadlines are last possibilities. You should plan on applying earlier for better chances at admission and scholarships!!!
College Search links:
http://kwoods.org/students/college.html
College for Creative Studies
http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/
- 5-8 pieces
- Deadline for Fall admission: July 1
- Portfolio submitted online
- 2.5 minimum GPA, 22 average ACT
Additional Portfolio Requirements
- The breadth of your admissions portfolio should demonstrate original thinking and should be a reflection of you and how you view the world. It should include examples of work that indicates the type of student you will be at the College for Creative Studies and provide an understanding of your interest in and commitment to the field of art and/or design. Your portfolio may show how other artists and designers have influenced you and your work. You also may want to show how other aspects of culture - i.e. literature, music, film, politics, fashion, etc. - have helped you develop both intellectually and artistically.
- An applicant’s portfolio may or may not be geared toward a particular major when applying to CCS. The work should emphasize your strongest skill sets and concepts and should be limited to 5 to 8 pieces. Transfer students may be required to submit additional pieces. Examples of drawing, drafting, computer aided design (CAD), architectural drawings, floor plans, printmaking, painting, photography, film, video, animation, web design, graphic design, story boarding, creative writing, ceramics, metal and jewelry, fiber and textiles, furniture design, fashion, video games, 2D or 3D design, models, product design, transportation design, sketchbooks, graphic novels and any other form of new media is acceptable.
- If you are applying to any of the following majors who require strong drawing skills, a minimum of 5 drawings from direct observation and/or imagination, using any medium must be included. Entertainment Arts (does not apply to those interested in video), Fine Arts, Illustration or Transportation Design
- Edit your work. Quality is more important than quantity — 5 great pieces are better than 15 that are inconsistent. Work completed within the last two years is usually the strongest.
http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/portfolio-assistance/portfolio-requirements
http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/portfolio-assistance
You can get an informal critique from CCS by uploading your portfolio to Flickr or Youtube. Follow instructions on the right of the page here:
http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/portfolio-assistance
Kendall College of Art and Design
www.kcad.edu
- 10-15 pieces including 5-7 observational drawings
- Deadline for Fall admission: Sooner the better, but at least one month before planning on attending
- In person review preferred. Online submission a possibility.
- 2.5 minimum GPA, 17 minimum ACT
- Must also write a statement of purpose. This should be a one to two page essay telling us about you, your artwork, and your reason for wanting to attend Kendall. Here are some tips for writing a statement of purpose.
- Collaborative Design and Interior Design applicants also must complete the Observation Exercise.
Your portfolio must contain a sufficient amount of examples to show your serious commitment. Your portfolio must contain 10 to 15 finished pieces, beginning with 5-7 observational drawings (that is, drawings from real life. For example, still life, portrait, landscape, and figure, design drawing, perspective drawings from life and refined product drawings. No drawings from photos). The other portion of examples is open to your individual passions and personality. This might be a refined body with a cohesive concept of work, best of your private work or a collection of your favorite experiments. Depending on your program of interest please include related work - paintings, prints, photos, graphics, ceramics, furniture, models, jewelry, character/concept art, illustration, animation or web design - whatever you like and are good at doing.
More information:
http://www.kcad.edu/admissions/apply-undergrad/
http://www.kcad.edu/admissions/apply-undergrad/submit-your-portfolio/
http://www.kcad.edu/admissions/apply-undergrad/submit-your-portfolio/preparing-your-portfolio/
Grand Valley State University
http://gvsu.edu/art/
- 8-12 pieces
- Deadline for Fall admission: July 29, but class availability not guaranteed. Must have been accepted into GVSU before apply to art department. Must apply by April 13 for scholarships
- In person review (see schedule here: http://www.gvsu.edu/cms3/assets/2644B7F7-A19E-4F86-DDFC0CE15148C500/pdf/13-14_fresh_app_revised_092013.pdf)
- Essay: 250 –500 words, select from two topics (Why would you like to study the visual arts? or Discuss a work of art or creative endeavor that has influenced you, and explain that influence.)
Your portfolio should include eight to twelve pieces of artwork that best represents you as an artist. Use your portfolio to present depth within one particular direction or a diverse range of media, abilities, and interests. Areas of art and design that could be included are: drawing, sculpture, metalsmithing, ceramics, printmaking, illustration, graphic design, painting, digital media, and visual studies. We strongly prefer seeing drawings from life as opposed to copies from photographs. You may include work done in summer and Saturday classes as well as personal work done without supervision. One of the pieces may be a sketchbook that contains drawings you did for fun, works used to generate ideas, or studies of objects and people. Other than sketchbook work, the rest of the work in the portfolio should demonstrate: Compositional unity and variety, Sensitive use of materials, Creative expression of ideas, Effective use of the entire image area or space in three-dimensional work, Evidence of time and effort spent to complete work, Drawing from life (if drawings are included)
More information:
http://www.gvsu.edu/cms3/assets/2644B7F7-A19E-4F86-DDFC0CE15148C500/pdf/13-14_fresh_app_revised_092013.pdf
University of Michigan
http://art-design.umich.edu/
- 8-12 pieces
- Deadline for Fall admission: February 1
- Uses Common Application: More info here: http://art-design.umich.edu/prospective/undergraduate#bfa
- Letters of recommendation
- Portfolio uploaded online through Common Application
- Multiple essays (through Common Application and U of M)
A Strong Portfolio Includes:
- Drawings from direct observation. If you have in the past copied from photographs or other flat copy, you can improve your portfolio with drawings from observation. Include sketches as well as finished drawings.
- 2D media : Design, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and mixed media
- 3D media : Fibers, ceramics, metalwork, sculpture and installations
- Digital media : computer animation, video, audio, interactive art and internet-based projects
- Performance, conceptual work, or other work not easy to categorize
More information:
http://art-design.umich.edu/prospective/undergraduate/portfolio
Western Michigan University
http://www.wmich.edu/art/
- 8-10 pieces
- Deadline for Fall admission: February 1 for admission and scholarships, April 1 for just admission
- Portfolio uploaded online
- Average GPA: 3.2. Average ACT: 22
- Letter of recommendation: A recommendation is required for all applicants to the Frostic School of Art. The online recommendation form should be completed by a person who is familiar with your artistic abilities (an art teacher, a counselor, an employer, a teacher, etc). The online recommendation form is located online, where you will be uploading your portfolio and statement, in Slideroom.
- Include statement of intent: Your statement of intent should give us a sense of your creative aspirations, ideas and goals. More info here: http://www.wmich.edu/art/admissions/undergrad/ba.html
Your portfolio is an essential part of us getting to know you, and should highlight your artistic strengths and abilities. The work you submit should be recent (created within the last two years) and original (do not include work that is drawn from photographs or other artists' work). Your complete portfolio should have between eight and ten original works. While these works may have been assignments for art classes, we strongly encourage you to create pieces for your portfolio that reflect your individual ideas, talents and inspirations.ated. Portfolios should include the following:
- One or more examples of drawing from direct observation with recognizable subject matter. These can include traditional and/or non-traditional materials, and should demonstrate your understanding of proportions.
- One or more examples of other two-dimensional artwork you have created (not photography). These can include printmaking, painting, experimental drawing, design, collage or other media.
- Four to six examples of your strongest artwork. This can include drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, jewelry, sculpture, ceramics, video, performance art or any other form of visual art that you have created.
More information:
http://www.wmich.edu/art/admissions/undergrad/ba.html
Michigan State University
http://www.art.msu.edu/
- No portfolio required (I think!) for admission, but may be required for certain programs once you are admitted.
- November 1 application recommendation for maximum scholarship consideration
- Personal statement required: https://admissions.msu.edu/toolbox/apply.asp
- Average GPA: 3.4-3.9, Average ACT: 23-28
Central Michigan University
https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/CCFA/CCFADepartmentofArtandDesign/Pages/default.aspx
- No portfolio required (I think!) for admission, but may be required for certain programs once you are admitted.
- Deadline for scholarships (portfolio required): April 8 https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/CCFA/CCFADepartmentofArtandDesign/Pages/default.aspx
- Average GPA: 3.3. Average ACT: 23
Northern Michigan University
http://art.nmu.edu/department/
- No portfolio required (I think!) for admission
- Scholarships: http://art.nmu.edu/department/ad_info_scholar.html
- Minimum GPA: 2.25. Minimum ACT: 19
Eastern Michigan University
http://art.emich.edu/
- No portfolio required (I think!) for admission
- Scholarships (Feb 15 deadline): http://art.emich.edu/pages/scholarships
- Deadline: July 1, but the earlier the better
- Average GPA: 3.05. Average ACT: 21
Wayne State University
http://art.wayne.edu/
- No portfolio required (I think!) for admission
- Scholarships: http://art.wayne.edu/scholarships.php
Siena Heights University
http://www.studioangelico.com/index.html
http://www.sienaheights.edu/Academics/ProgramDetail/tabid/73/MajorID/ART/CampusID/1/Default.aspx
- Portfolio required
- Deadlines: Last Portfolio review date: April 12
- Scholarships: http://www.studioangelico.com/scholarships.html
- Minimum GPA: 2.5. Minimum ACT: 18
Portfolio expectations:
Drawings demonstrating your ability to draw from observation, still lifes, figures, or landscapes and examples of as many different art media as you have explored, including design, photography, painting, sculpture, ceramics and metalsmithing.
Finlandia
http://www.finlandia.edu/ISAD/ISAD2.html
- No Portfolio required (I think!) for admissions
- Deadlines: August 15
- Scholarships: http://www.finlandia.edu/ISAD/ISAD_Scholarships.html
- Minimum GPA: 2.0. Lower GPA may be considered with statement
Pratt Institute (NYC)
http://www.pratt.edu/academics/art_design/
- 12-20 pieces
- Deadline: January 5
- Writing sample required (see here: http://www.pratt.edu/admissions/applying/applying_undergrad/ug_application_requirements/freshmen/)
- Submitted online
- Average GPA: 3.6
All first-time freshman art, design, and architecture applicants including photography but not including art history BA applicants must submit a visual portfolio consisting of 12–20 pieces of two-or three-dimensional work
The visual portfolio should consist of a variety of media and approaches. It can include assignment-based projects, self-directed work or pieces of a collaborative nature. The portfolio does not need to be specific to the discipline to which you are applying. The portfolio must include at least three to five pieces of work from observation. (See below for a description of the observational process). Applicants should avoid including work that copies photographs, uses the grid system, or directly replicates any other artist's work (including replicating anime drawings, cartoons, or video game character designs).
More information:
http://www.pratt.edu/admissions/applying/applying_undergrad/ug_application_requirements/freshmen/
Ringling College of Art and Design
http://www.ringling.edu/
- 10-20 pieces
- Portfolio requirements vary by major. More info: http://www.ringling.edu/admissions-financial-aid/admissions/portfolio-prep-pages/portfolio-prep/
- Minimum GPA: 2.0
- Scholarship deadline: February 15
More information:
http://www.ringling.edu/admissions-financial-aid/admissions/requirements-portfolio/
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
http://www.saic.edu/
http://www.saic.edu/admissions/ug/first-timefreshmen/
Savannah College of Art and Design
http://www.scad.edu/
http://www.scad.edu/admission/portfolio-and-writing-guidelines
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
http://fidm.edu/
http://fidm.edu/en/Admissions/How+to+Apply
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
http://mcad.edu/
http://mcad.edu/admissions/application-requirements/undergraduate
California College of the Arts
https://www.cca.edu/
https://www.cca.edu/admissions/undergrad