Portfolio Preparation

Portfolio Prep for First Year Applicants

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Portfolio Preparation
Portfolio Prep for First Year
The portfolio is the most meaningful indicator of serious artistic commitment, ability, and potential to succeed in MICA's rigorous studio environment.

 Your artwork reflects your visual sensitivity, your intellectual curiosity and creativity, your motivation and your self-discipline. The Admission Committee assesses the way you express your ideas and concepts visually. Your previous training in the visual arts and your technical skills and ability are also evaluated. A well curated portfolio can increase both your chances of admission to MICA and your merit scholarships.

 

Explore our tips below to learn how to prep your portfolio:

If possible, you should start thinking about your portfolio before your senior year of high school. The more time you have to prepare your work, the more confident you’ll be when it’s time to hit the submit button! Below are some ways you can set yourself up for success:

  • Enroll in high school art classes that focus on fine arts, design, and color skills. This will help build your skills and experience throughout your time in high school. If available, also consider specialized classes in areas as video, photography, digital art, or visual communications.
  • Enroll in summer or pre-college programs for high school sophomores and juniors designed to help develop portfolios, such as MICA's Summer Pre-College Program  or MICA's program for youth/high school students.
  • Enroll in AP or IB art and art history classes if these are offered at your high school.
  • Explore local art classes or workshops taught by private tutors.
  • Participate in weekend portfolio preparation classes taught at local community colleges and universities.

Schedule an in-person or virtual portfolio review with us! Our Admission Counselors are here to help you as you build your portfolio. They can provide feedback on your in-progress work and help you curate your portfolio before you apply. It’s never too early to set up a meeting, and we’re happy to meet with you as much as needed as you work your way through the application process. Find your personal Admission Counselor here and set up a portfolio review today!

When applying to MICA, you’ll need to submit 10-15 pieces of artwork for your portfolio segment. There are no prompts and no home exam is required. Curating your portfolio might seem overwhelming, but it’s really just organizing the pieces you’re most proud of that visually and thematically go together. When assembling your portfolio, look at all of your work together and identify your strongest and most interesting pieces. You should remove work that’s older or unfinished.

And remember, your portfolio is about you. Show us what you’re good at, who you are, and what you like. Remember to have fun, take risks, and be unapologetically you!

It’s important to document your work carefully. For 2D and 3D work, make sure that your images are clear and well lit, and are against a neutral background that doesn’t distract from the work. If your work is installation, performance, or time-based, document your work in the context it was meant to be seen in. You’ll be able to upload a wide range of image files, as well as sound and video files. There’s also no need to include any text in your images such as the title or description of your piece. You’ll be able to add additional information about each piece when you upload your portfolio in your Applicant Portal.

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