Rhode Island School of Design - Portfolio preferences

[dakoscwash]

Hey everyone. I have a year and a half until I have to apply and send in my portfolio to an art college, I would really love to be accepted by RISD. My question is, does anyone know what they are interested in portfolio wise. I hear that different colleges like different subject matter so this would be great to know. Thanks in advance.

[pmiles]

You should visit the school's website for specifics.

http://www.risd.edu/apply_fresh.cfm

Note the key elements such as "and dated"... you don't want to submit work that was done too long ago as they are assessing your skill level as it stands today. People who don't practice often, lose some of their skill over time.

Here's just an excerpt:

Drawings
Three drawings samples are required of all candidates. Each drawing must be done using pencil on a sheet of white paper measuring 16 x 20"; other drawing materials should not be used. The first drawing must represent a bicycle; the second, an interior or exterior environment; the subject matter for the third drawing is up to the applicant (you may draw any object, subject or situation). You may approach these three drawings in any way you wish. For example, your drawings may be realistic or abstract; you may choose to draw the object alone or place it in a situation; you may draw the whole object or only a portion of it, etc. Each drawing must be signed and dated, and if necessary, should be treated to prevent smudging in handling. Each drawing should be folded in half and half again so that it will fit in the return envelope sent by the Admissions Office. On the outside of each folded drawing print your full name.

[AnarchyAo2]

Does RISD have a GPA requirement? I looked on the page and I didn't see it, but I may have missed it.

[pmiles]

I would contact the school directly about that. They cover both freshman, graduate, and transfer students on their website but make no distinction on SAT/ACT/GPA requirements. They offer a variety of programs, so such things will likely weigh heavier in some programs than others, especially if there are far more candidates than actual seats. As with all things, a fairly poor GPA is not indicative of success, nor is it an indicator of future success or failure. Schools want the most qualified candidates for obvious reasons.

[Bluga]

I'm pretty interested in RISD too. Does anyone know how competitive it is to get in, or how RISD measures up to other art schools?

[grey]

I'm pretty interested in RISD too. Does anyone know how competitive it is to get in, or how RISD measures up to other art schools?

It's rated the 2nd highest arts university in the US -- by whichever annual review is put out in Time/USA Today. I should point out that Juliard rates #1, but that's a performing arts university - no distinction's made between different arts programs (but then I'm biased since I'm an alum)

it's pretty competitive, I can't quote numbers now but when I was there the applications were something like 5,000 for 300 admissions. It's also pretty damn expensive so get your loan paperwork sorted out. Brown University's a sister school (their campuses practically overlap) and you can take courses there as a RISD student if you really want to get your feet wet in ivy league. I took some great anatomy/dissection classes in Brown's medical department (and Brown students with a creative bent might show up in your painting class)

I can't speak for all departments, but they have great Illustration, Painting, Flim/Video and Printmaking programs.
if you're looking east coast you could do a lot worse

[dakoscwash]

Thanks for all of the great help guys. The last I checked the acceptance rate was about 45%. That's kind of frightening if that 300/5,000 is true. Not exactly what someone hoping to get in would want to hear. I guess I've just gotta work as hard as I can, and then, we'll just see. Some of the work I've seen on their site is, less than impressive. I'm sure their program is wonderful and it's up to the student to do something with what they've learned. I'm just wondering if their selection is at all biased and if it's really based mostly on talent. I don't think it's gonna be easy getting in but I really don't know where else I'd want to go...

[pmiles]

Well I can't speak for RSID, but a lot of schools admit students based first on their academic/financial qualifications and then resort to the portfolio when trying to determine who, among the remaining candidates, should be allowed admission for the remaining seats. They require a portfolio from all candidates because they don't know just who would fall into that category until they see all the applications. Academics and financial need are weighed very heavily into the equation. In other words, if you are a "C" student and require heavy financial assistance, then you would likely fall into the portfolio review category. An "A" student with plenty of financial resources may get in without anyone having looked at the portfolio at all. That's why you get such a wide variety of responses regarding portfolio submissions at various schools... some work very hard to create a strong portfolio and don't get in and others don't submit much at all and get in on their first try. Your past performance is always used as an indicator of future performance.

[Famboozled]

Sent you a reply dako

This year there were about 300 students accepted, with some 2200 applicants

[dakoscwash]

Hey I didn't get your reply famboozled. Hmmm.. You don't have to bother replying again if you don't want. I think I should just continue practicing my drawing or else I'll really worry about being accepted.

[AnarchyAo2]

What if you were a C student, taking CP and Honors classes, and in your last year of high school, you got around a 3.5 GPA. Would there be a way to show that, "Hey, I wasn't modivated in the past, and I didn't care, but I've changed my ways a bit and now I'm more serious about my grades." Could I keep in touch with the admission's department and let them know my progress and my determination to join their school? You know, I really didn't care much about my grades, I just figured that I'd go to one of those AI schools. I've heard bad things about them and I've changed my mind about doing that. I want to go to a 4 year college and make sure that I'll be getting a good education.

Any comments or advice?

[pmiles]

As far as high school grades go, they will have access to your entire transcript, just as they would if you went to college and transferred to RSID. As a high school student, you will most likely be required to take the SAT or ACT test to apply to most colleges. This is what they look at most in regards to academic performance. You can't hide a weakness for math or english or whatnot in a test score, but you can in a high school transcript. I wouldn't worry too much about this, artists tend to do better in certain subjects than others. That's why we're not pursuing engineering as a career.

A 4 year school is always better than a 2 year or compressed program (such as AI offers). You get time to explore your interests, perhaps find out something new about yourself, such as you want to be a stop motion animator... who knows. When I was getting my first degree (Architecture), I was exposed to computer animation, from that moment on, I wanted to be an animator. I would have never discovered this about myself had I not been in an environment that offered more than just one field of study. You may want to be an artist and may know exactly what kind of art you want to do, but you will be surprised at what is also being done out there. Once you get exposed to what others are doing, sometimes for the very first time, you will realize that there are far more avenues to follow than you first realized. It is very common for people to go into college wanting to do one thing and to come out doing something completely different.

Just stay focused and keep practicing. If you don't get into RSID on your first try, attend a local college and then reapply as a transfer student. Transfer students sometimes have an easier time getting in to the college they want because they backfill the freshman dropouts. You may make it your first try. All you can do is your very best.

[AnarchyAo2]

I haven't taken the SAT's yet, I'll probably take them in the fall. I'm not too worried about them, I'm don't freak out over a test. Suppose that GPA is holding me behind, should I go to a community college and take courses? Or should I go to another 4 year college and then transfer if I feel that RISD is better?

[Elwell]

What if you were a C student, taking CP and Honors classes, and in your last year of high school, you got around a 3.5 GPA. Would there be a way to show that, "Hey, I wasn't modivated in the past, and I didn't care, but I've changed my ways a bit and now I'm more serious about my grades."

Every college application requires an essay, which is the perfect opportunity to address issues like this.

[AnarchyAo2]

Thanks a lot for the help. I just got my report card today in the mail. My grades weren't so hot, I had a 2.5 GPA, but I got back my SOL scores (Standards of Learning, the standardized tests for VA). I got advanced in English 11, US History, and Chemistry I and I was 2 questions away from advanced in Algebra 2. I'm sort of convinced that I'm not so stupid, and hopefully knowing this will modivate me to do better next year. Plus, I got a free movie ticket for getting advanced, free stuff is always good. :)

[grey]

This year there were about 300 students accepted, with some 2200 applicants

that sounds right, I couldn't remember if it was 300 out of about 3k or 5k

[djmez]

As a student who was accepted to RISD, I won't interject my opinion, but rather, state the facts:

-3.2 GPA
-high test scores
-mediocre portfolio (in terms of the work around here), but diverse works represented
-cookie-cutter personal statement about "why RISD is right for me"

That said, I think it's important to show lots of different kinds of work. I showed drawings in pen, pencil and charcoal, paintings in oil and gouache, sculptures in plasticine, cardboard, and paper, and computer graphics in photoshop and 3d studio max.

[JeniThus]

YO.
CALL THEM.
1-800-364-7473
DOn't listen to everyone else talk to the source.
I am a RISD alum, '03, '04, I worked in admissions for 4 years.
Talk to them, they will tell you EVERYTHING, and they are wicked nice.:)

[JeniThus]

As a student who was accepted to RISD, I won't interject my opinion, but rather, state the facts:

-3.2 GPA
-high test scores
-mediocre portfolio (in terms of the work around here), but diverse works represented
-cookie-cutter personal statement about "why RISD is right for me"

That said, I think it's important to show lots of different kinds of work. I showed drawings in pen, pencil and charcoal, paintings in oil and gouache, sculptures in plasticine, cardboard, and paper, and computer graphics in photoshop and 3d studio max.

NO.
Show what you are passionate about, and good at, not that ash tray from third grade just because it adds diversity. And they DO NOT want a cookie cutter statement from you about why you and RISD should makeout, they want to know about you as an artist, and your work. LIKE I said.
CALL THEM.

[/Anders]

im applying to RISD this year,
i come from a pretty tragic highschool experiance.

but....
i went to community college of rhode island, i am currently getting A's and am taking 2 foundation courses as a special student. i went to the summer program and have really tried to find out what i could do to get accepted into RISD, because as far as i have seen its a pretty amazing school. And this is what i am told

40% Acedemics
40% portfolio
10% letters of recomandation, essay and all that jazz
10% sketches.

average GPA is about a 3.4, ACT math and science can be bad, english needs to be decent.
the portfolio should represent your STRONGEST works with littel to NO weakness, with about 12-20 slides, labeled and dated.
they accept up to 3 letters
the essay should never be around the lines of i love art, it rocks, been doing it since i was 2
but should reflect more upon you as a person. they sketches arnt to check out skill entirely, but to asess how you think. someone already posted what they should be about.

any other questions, you should contact them i think. but this is what i am told.

also, on a side note since im applying, i would love to get together with someone and have them review my portfolio perhaps in person if you live close. (live right near thayer.)
any help anyone would be willing to give once i get my portfolio up would be loved.

[mattypoirier]

from what i know, RISD is very competative. I actual just found a news clipping of a student that went to my high school. it was about his acceptance to RISD and how he got a full 4 year free ride. I was impressed, as it is like I said very competative. He lived in rhode island also (where i live, about 30 min from providence). They only accept about 850 freshaman out of thousands of applicants per year and the acceptance percentage is around 35%, from what I remember. My brother got a accepted to RISD also (www.jamespoirier.com if you want to check out some work, not much on there), but he didn't go, lives in prov though right down the road from it, which is funny. well anyway hope that helps.

[JeniThus]

CALL THEM.
1-800-364-7473
They will tell you requirements, ask to speak to an admissions representative or counselor. The requirements are also on their webpage. www.risd.edu