Guide to Submitting Supplemental Materials
A supplemental arts portfolio can be a great way to share your exceptional talents in the arts. And we want to stress that word “exceptional”. All the top schools remind their applicants that they want to see work that is of the highest caliber. Anything less is likely to harm your application, rather than help it.
Check with each school you are applying to for their requirements, some schools do not accept supplementary portfolios. In general, the supplemental portfolio will be shorter than if you were applying to a BFA or Art major. This means that each image must stand out, clearly show your work, and that your written descriptions should contextualize the project: why you made it, why the materials are significant, what art historical or other references you were considering, how it reflects YOU as a compelling individual.
Here are some guidelines from Harvard, Yale, and Brown for reference.
Harvard:
Our standard application materials typically give us ample information for making admission decisions. However, we recognize you may have truly exceptional talents or achievements you wish to share, and we want you to have every opportunity to best represent yourself.
At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, supplementary materials—such as music recordings, artwork, or selected samples of academic work—may be evaluated by faculty. These materials are entirely optional.
Supplemental submissions are useful only for applicants with substantial talents in the arts beyond standard high school level accomplishment. Consider carefully whether your supplemental materials demonstrate unusual talent before submission.
2-25 pages accepted
Yale:
You should think carefully before submitting supplementary material with your Yale College application. Most successful applicants submit only the required application materials. Because the Admissions Committee gives greatest weight to the required documents, it is recommended that you focus your energy primarily on those elements of the application.
If you have a substantial and well-developed talent that cannot be conveyed adequately in the rest of your application, you may consider submitting an audio recording, musical score, art samples, writing samples, scientific research paper, film, or dance video.
How to submit supplementary material
To submit a dance, film, music, or visual arts supplement, follow these steps before and after submitting your application:
Indicate your intention to submit an arts supplement when completing the application by responding Yes to the question, “Do you plan to submit an arts or science/engineering supplement as part of your Yale application?” and selecting your submission type(s).
After your application has been submitted and received by the admissions office, activate your Yale Admissions Status Portal. You will receive a confirmation email with a personalized link and PIN.
Upload your media via the Arts Portfolio Submission Tool that will appear on your Yale Admissions Status Portal. The tool accepts most video, audio, image, and document file types, as well as URLs to videos hosted online.
Complete the Arts Supplement Questionnaire to provide additional information and to close the arts portfolio.
5-8 pages accepted
Brown:
Students uploading a visual art submission should note the following:
Portfolios should be a strong supplement to your application, thoughtfully conceived and demonstrating above-average visual art talent.
Class assignments, as well as work produced outside the classroom indicating your personal area of interest, are encouraged.
If photographs are included, they are expected to go beyond hobbyist photography such as vacation snapshots or casually conceived images, and should include a variety of artistically sound content. Upload one clear image of a single artwork per upload. Do not combine multiple artworks into a single collage-style image.
A short statement about your interest in art may be included as well.
10-15 pages accepted