Show them you have what it takes with a great portfolio

By Ashleigh Viveiros

If you're applying to a post-secondary program with a creative element to it - a writing or visual arts program, for example - chances are good you'll be asked to provide a portfolio of your related work along with your application.

A good portfolio shows the admissions people what you have to offer a school. It demonstrates your talent and skill level in a much more visual way than a transcript ever could. Basically, the portfolio allows them to make an assessment on whether you have what it takes to be successful in what is likely a very competitive program.

So what makes a good portfolio? Here are some guidelines:

Requirements - the first thing to do when putting together a portfolio is to carefully read what, exactly, the school is expecting to see. What's the maximum/minimum number of pieces they want you to submit? Do they specify what kinds of work they want? From what time period? How do they want to see things (photocopies, original clippings, photographs)? Can you submit a digital portfolio of your work on a disc? Find out what the guidelines are and stick to them. And, of course, always, always, always send your portfolio in to meet the deadline.

Range - beyond the basic requirements of any given program, a good portfolio should have a range of items in it, especially if you're entering a program with a broad artistic/creative focus. For example, a prospective visuals arts student might want to show their skills in different mediums, different styles, etc. For a creative writing course, you'd want to send in samples of short stories, poetry, novellas, and so on, even if you normally tend to prefer one over all the others. It's okay if you're a bit weaker in one area than another (just don't send in too many from that weak area, then), but it's still important to demonstrate your full range of abilities.

Again, though, stick to the maximum number of pieces requested by the school - don't send in 20 items if they only ask for ten. Just try to ensure those ten highlight your strengths and show your range as an artist/writer/photographer/whatever.

Quality - this seems obvious, but try to send the best pieces you have. Make sure all items are in good condition and in a finished state. Show the pieces you're thinking of submitting to a trusted friend or teacher to get their feedback on them - they may be able to point out which items would make for a stronger overall impression of your skills.

Current - unless something you did several years ago is so mind-blowingly good that you just have to send it in, stick with work you've completed in the last couple of years. This ensures your portfolio is a good indicator of where your skills are at right here and now.

Presentation - once you've got your pieces picked out, you have to figure out the best way to present them. Basically, you want to ensure that your pieces are neatly organized (chronologically or by type), easy to look through, and well-labeled. When labeling, you might want to go beyond the basic date, title, etc., and also mention, briefly, something interesting about the work - what you learned while doing it, say, or what you were trying to accomplish with it.

Being creative with your presentation can work in your favour, but sometimes it's best to keep things simple and just let your work speak for itself. So consider avoiding flamboyant project covers and fonts; instead, strive to find the balance between tastefully showing your personal flair and not overwhelming your work with an over-the-top presentation.