2013-2014 Cornell University Portfolio Requirements
Fine Arts Portfolio Guidelines
Applicants may submit their portfolio one of two ways: online at Cornell AAP SlideRoom or mailed in on a CD/DVD-R formatted for both Mac and PC platforms. The portfolio should consist of high quality images of 12–20 pieces of your best work, including at least four examples of freehand observational drawing. The portfolio should contain examples of work from three of our studio practice areas: drawing, digital media, painting, photography, print media, and sculpture. Choose the media that best reflects your highest level of skill and conceptual development. While there is no requirement that any particular subject or style of work be included in the portfolio, the faculty admissions committee would like to see a selection of work that has made been made both independently and in school or workshop settings.
Online Submission
Applicants submitting by mail must include an image list that provides:
- Applicant name
- B.F.A. program noted
- Description of each work/image, indicating the materials used, dimensions, and completion date
- Whether the work was completed independently or in response to a class assignment
- A conceptual explanation of each work (optional but encouraged)
Please do not send videos, cassettes, slides, or notebooks of photos. Do not send original works of art by mail. In order to ensure the safe return of your materials, your portfolio should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or mailing packet bearing sufficient postage. Mailed portfolios should be sent directly to: Office of Undergraduate Admissions College of Architecture, Art, and PlanningCornell University235 Sibley DomeIthaca, NY 14853-6701 Portfolios will be added to all other admissions materials for review by the art department admissions committee. Architecture Portfolio GuidelinesA portfolio must be submitted for your application to be considered. Samples of freehand drawing are required. In addition to drawings, you may include a variety of work for your portfolio choosing from media such as painting, sculpture, graphics, art photography, woodworking, ceramics, or any other visual media that demonstrate your interest, experience, and aptitude in creative and graphic areas. Please do not include original work. Reproductions should be high-quality photographs (minimum 3 x 5 inches) or photocopies; not slides or a CD.
- Information on the medium used
- Whether the project was done on your own or in a class
- The original size of the work
Please add a one- or two-sentence comment about each piece you submit. The first page of the portfolio must contain the following: “This portfolio contains the design work of [applicant’s name here].” If any project, drawing or model has been produced by several designers or if the design was produced in a professional setting, each drawing must be labeled, clearly stating the number of designers, which drawings were produced by the applicant, and a list of the names of all members of the group project. If the project was produced in an office, an office setting, or as an assistant to an author, then the office name, supervisor, and all members of the team must be identified.
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
College of Architecture, Art, and PlanningCornell University235 Sibley Dome
Ithaca, NY 14853-6701
Your portfolio will be placed in your admissions file for review by the architecture department admissions committee.
Architecture Portfolio Guidelines
A portfolio must be submitted for your application to be considered. Samples of freehand drawing are required. In addition to drawings, you may include a variety of work for your portfolio choosing from media such as painting, sculpture, graphics, art photography, woodworking, ceramics, or any other visual media that demonstrate your interest, experience, and aptitude in creative and graphic areas. Please do not include original work. Reproductions should be high-quality photographs (minimum 3 x 5 inches) or photocopies; not slides or a CD.
We suggest you include 15–20 items and present your material in a neat, well-organized manner.
Label each portfolio item with:
- Information on the medium used
- Whether the project was done on your own or in a class
- The original size of the work
Please add a one- or two-sentence comment about each piece you submit. The first page of the portfolio must contain the following: “This portfolio contains the design work of [applicant’s name here].” If any project, drawing or model has been produced by several designers or if the design was produced in a professional setting, each drawing must be labeled, clearly stating the number of designers, which drawings were produced by the applicant, and a list of the names of all members of the group project. If the project was produced in an office, an office setting, or as an assistant to an author, then the office name, supervisor, and all members of the team must be identified.
Place your work in a flat binder no larger than 10 x 13 inches with your name clearly on the outside of the binder. You will be at a disadvantage in the admissions process if your portfolio does not meet the above specifications. Your portfolio will be returned at the end of the selection process if you include a stamped, self-addressed envelope or mailing packet.
Your portfolio should be mailed directly to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
Cornell University
235 Sibley Dome
Ithaca, NY 14853-6701
Your portfolio will be placed in your admissions file for review by the architecture department admissions committee.