Check out the college or organization's applicant requirements, read the guidelines, and be sure that you fulfill their conditions. Make a list of the guidelines, and compile your writing portfolio. Some guidelines will ask you for about five to 10 different pieces, which could easily equal 20 or 30 pages.
Reread the submission guidelines and prepare your portfolio to those specifications. Some colleges or organizations will require you to submit a physical portfolio or an online portfolio. If a physical portfolio is required, place your writing samples in a binder with rings and pockets.
Determine your portfolio's audience. Include writing samples that match your audience and fulfill the types of samples the guidelines ask for. For example, if you apply to an English graduate program then you would submit samples that would interest professors since they would be reviewing all of the applications for that department's graduate school. Remember most writing portfolio guidelines will ask you for writing samples so they can determine the experience level of your work.
Write a short introduction or cover letter for your portfolio. Introduce yourself, your writing and what influences your writing if there are no specific guidelines for your introduction. The introduction should be relevant to the place you're submitting your writing portfolio. Include letters of recommendation to increase your chances of acceptance, whether they are required or not. Remember some portfolio guidelines will require you to make specific arguments or claims about yourself in order to prove you're qualifications, and ask you to submit pieces of your work to back up those claims.
Create a table of contents for the portfolio according to how all of your writing samples will be arranged. Arrange your samples in a logical format for easy viewing.
Read the guidelines required to submit an online writing portfolio. Submit an electronic file or files that contain a cover letter, table of contents, letters of recommendation, and your writing samples via e-mail or upload them to the college or organization's website. Some organizations might require the portfolio be submitted in the body of an email to avoid viruses. You can also submit your portfolio using your own website. Make sure it has a homepage that directs your visitors to your table of contents, cover letter, and writing samples. Explain on your website that this is your online writing portfolio.
Look over your portfolio to make sure it is complete. Submit it on or before the deadline. A late portfolio could disqualify you.