By Ryan Furtado
Lowell, MA- The road to a college acceptance letter can feel like a long distance for most LHS seniors to complete, but an extra talented group must run the extra mile in the form of a portfolio project.
To be considered for admission most Art colleges require students to submit a portfolio that showcases their best work. It’s such a unique project that the National Portfolio Day is named in its honor.
Across the nation high school seniors write multiple college essays, prepare detailed resumes, and take cerebral SATs each year with the hope of receiving a college acceptance letter come May.
So many tasks in a short amount of time create a stressful stretch for most seniors. Though, not all seniors need to complete a creative portfolio required of Art students.
In preparation LHS Art students may take a Studio Portfolio Art course to complete this process. During the course Art students complete a portfolio of work to be considered by Art departments of colleges.
LHS Art teacher Ms.Perkins takes her students each year to Boston for the National Portfolio Day.
The Studio Art Portfolio class attends the field trip which offers seniors further insights into the ingredients of a competitive Studio Art portfolio from Art college representatives.
“It’s the best opportunity for students who are interested in art…you are able to talk directly to college representatives and have your work reviewed, ” said Perkins, who has been attending the event for the past six years. A large variety of art colleges will be participating at National Portfolio Day, she said.
Seniors also learned more about portfolio requirements at the Merrimack Valley College (MVC) Fair held at Lowell High School in October each year.
School of the Museum of Fine Arts for example has no specific requirements, instead admission representatives want to see whatever it is that you do in the realm of art.
Still most colleges list specific requirements as guidelines for portfolios, according to college representatives at the MVC Fair.
“Yes, [requirements] are going to be different but you need direct observation drawings because it’s the basis of all forms of art,” said Perkins of minimum requirements expected by Art colleges.
On the upcoming field trip seniors can speak to representatives from multiple colleges to better understand the portfolio and admission requirements in the hopes of securing a spot at one of the best art colleges.
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