I went to National Portfolio Day today, and really loved the energy of the students. Talking with some of the them, they were so excited that couldn't even sleep the night before. It was a long day though, 30 to 60 minutes waiting in each line. So if you visit 4 or 5 of your top picks, it is a good day.
The event is not for school presentations, but more for students to present. They present their work and then are guided on how to improve their portfolio for admissions. Students should come prepared knowing exactly what schools they are going to visit and what questions they have about the programs or school.
My students generally were looking for full 3D animation programs, so prior to attending we discussed what schools they will find and to come up with a plan of attack for the day. Some of the colleges recently visited and /or will visit our school, so we kept that in mind. For my 3D students, I suggested they at least check out a handful of schools to give them a good diverse range of programs: CalArts, Ringling College, San Francisco Art Institute, School of Visual Arts, and Rhode Island School of Design. Some of the other schools have more of a 2D emphasis or limited course offerings. *Rocky Mountain College is our partner school and we already spend a lot of time with admissions and instructors.
I recommend that students attend as juniors, so they get a head start on what schools are looking for and are become more focused & driven. I have sent sophomores in the past, but they generally don't have the a solid body of work to show. I remember sending one sophomore who had the work to show, but was not as focused in his core classes. It inspired him and he worked a lot harder. By the time he was a senior, he received a number of scholarships and awards, including a Scholastic portfolio Gold Key.
The event is not for school presentations, but more for students to present. They present their work and then are guided on how to improve their portfolio for admissions. Students should come prepared knowing exactly what schools they are going to visit and what questions they have about the programs or school.
My students generally were looking for full 3D animation programs, so prior to attending we discussed what schools they will find and to come up with a plan of attack for the day. Some of the colleges recently visited and /or will visit our school, so we kept that in mind. For my 3D students, I suggested they at least check out a handful of schools to give them a good diverse range of programs: CalArts, Ringling College, San Francisco Art Institute, School of Visual Arts, and Rhode Island School of Design. Some of the other schools have more of a 2D emphasis or limited course offerings. *Rocky Mountain College is our partner school and we already spend a lot of time with admissions and instructors.
I recommend that students attend as juniors, so they get a head start on what schools are looking for and are become more focused & driven. I have sent sophomores in the past, but they generally don't have the a solid body of work to show. I remember sending one sophomore who had the work to show, but was not as focused in his core classes. It inspired him and he worked a lot harder. By the time he was a senior, he received a number of scholarships and awards, including a Scholastic portfolio Gold Key.
From the NPD Oficial Website: What is National Portfolio Day?
National Portfolio Day is an event specifically for visual artists and designers. It is an opportunity for those who wish to pursue an education in the visual and related arts to meet with representatives from colleges accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Representatives will be available to review your artwork, discuss their programs and answer questions about professional careers in art. High school students, parents, teachers, guidance counselors and college transfer students are encouraged to attend.
National Portfolio Day serves a variety of purposes. Most importantly, it is designed to help further the artistic development of young artists by bringing together experienced college representatives to review artwork and offer feedback. We understand that some people make certain kinds of art more successfully than others. Don't be discouraged if you see work that is "better" than yours. A National Portfolio Day may be the first time you have seen so many people in one place who all share a powerful commitment to the arts. The experience is a small taste of what a professional art program can be like.
National Portfolio Days are also about the exchange of information about your work, yourself, your college plans, and your concerns. This is not an examination or competition. The college representatives are pleased to talk about their programs with you and can be most helpful when discussing your artwork. Your portfolio should include your best and most recent work, but it can also include works in progress, sketchbooks and tear sheets. You'll hear many different opinions of your work. Don't hesitate to explain how you develop your ideas and where you want to go with them. No admissions decisions or scholarship awards will be offered to you at National Portfolio Day. Some colleges represented may accept your portfolio as the visual portion of your application. Other colleges have restrictions that prohibit them from making a definite portfolio decision at the time of your review. We urge you to discuss your work with as many representatives as possible.
National Portfolio Day serves a variety of purposes. Most importantly, it is designed to help further the artistic development of young artists by bringing together experienced college representatives to review artwork and offer feedback. We understand that some people make certain kinds of art more successfully than others. Don't be discouraged if you see work that is "better" than yours. A National Portfolio Day may be the first time you have seen so many people in one place who all share a powerful commitment to the arts. The experience is a small taste of what a professional art program can be like.
National Portfolio Days are also about the exchange of information about your work, yourself, your college plans, and your concerns. This is not an examination or competition. The college representatives are pleased to talk about their programs with you and can be most helpful when discussing your artwork. Your portfolio should include your best and most recent work, but it can also include works in progress, sketchbooks and tear sheets. You'll hear many different opinions of your work. Don't hesitate to explain how you develop your ideas and where you want to go with them. No admissions decisions or scholarship awards will be offered to you at National Portfolio Day. Some colleges represented may accept your portfolio as the visual portion of your application. Other colleges have restrictions that prohibit them from making a definite portfolio decision at the time of your review. We urge you to discuss your work with as many representatives as possible.
Here is a list of most of the school that attended the Denver National Portfolio Day:
* Alberta College of Art + Design
* CalArts
* California College of the Arts
* Cornish College of the Arts
* Emily Carr University of Art + Design
* FIDM/The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
* Kansas City Art Institute
* Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University
* Laguna College of Art + Design
* Maryland Institute College of Art
* Maryville University
* Memphis College of Art
* Minneapolis College of Art and Design
* Oregon College of Art and Craft
* Otis College of Art & Design
* Pacific Northwest College of Art
* Pratt Institute
* Pratt MWP
* Rhode Island School of Design
* Ringling College of Art and Design
* Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
* San Francisco Art Institute
* School of the Art Institute of Chicago (The)
* School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
* School of Visual Arts
* Washington University
* Watkins College of Art, Design & Film
* CalArts
* California College of the Arts
* Cornish College of the Arts
* Emily Carr University of Art + Design
* FIDM/The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
* Kansas City Art Institute
* Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University
* Laguna College of Art + Design
* Maryland Institute College of Art
* Maryville University
* Memphis College of Art
* Minneapolis College of Art and Design
* Oregon College of Art and Craft
* Otis College of Art & Design
* Pacific Northwest College of Art
* Pratt Institute
* Pratt MWP
* Rhode Island School of Design
* Ringling College of Art and Design
* Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
* San Francisco Art Institute
* School of the Art Institute of Chicago (The)
* School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
* School of Visual Arts
* Washington University
* Watkins College of Art, Design & Film
