Visit the websites for each school you are applying to, and look at the admissions section to find a complete set of portfolio content and submission requirements. Most schools now require digital portfolios submitted online or on a CD, but some might require slides. Each school will have specific requirements about the number of images the portfolio should contain, and, if the submission is digital, the size or DPI (dots per inch) of the images.
Write an outline for your own reference of each school’s portfolio requirements, including the number of images required, the requested content or media and the required format of submission. Plan to follow each school’s requirements as closely as possible.
Talk to your photography or art instructor about your portfolio, and ask to help you choose a group of photographs to include. You’ll want to include photographs that represent your best work, but you’ll also want to demonstrate a certain range of skills or experiences. Consider including some work in other media as well. Many schools, such as the Maryland Institute College of Art and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, request that you include drawings or paintings from observation in your portfolio.
Prepare your portfolio in the required format for each school you are applying to. Have slides made of your work if necessary, and create sets of resized digital image files to fit each school’s requirements.
Prepare an inventory document that lists each work in your portfolio, along with the work’s title, date of completion, medium and dimensions. Some schools provide specific guidelines for inventory lists, and might want you to include thumbnail images of each work as well.
Label all parts of your portfolio, including CDs, slide sheets and inventory documents with your full name and contact information.