APPLYING TO THE CENTER FOR ART AND DESIGN

All applicants to the Art Department (Center for Art and Design) at The College of Saint Rose are required to complete a portfolio review as part of the application package. The portfolio review may be completed before or after your application is submitted. However, all application materials: transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation and the portfolio review must meet College of Saint Rose undergraduate admission deadlines. For more information on Undergraduate Admission to The College of Saint Rose, please click on Undergraduate Admissions. To view the schedule for Portfolio Review dates, please click on Portfolio Review Calendar 2011-2012.

Our faculty is dedicated to recognizing and nurturing your abilities. The portfolio review can be an early and informal review to help you build a better portfolio or a final assessment of your abilities. We encourage students to have their first portfolio review early, even as high school juniors. It is an important step in helping to decide if we are the right school for you.

Admission Requirements
In addition to College of Saint Rose admission requirements, all applicants to the Center for Art and Design majors: Art Education, Graphic Design or Studio Art majors must submit a portfolio and should follow the same format when preparing their portfolio. Your work will be assessed based on the following criteria:

Technical Ability
Composition / Design
Observation Drawing Skills
Conceptual Development / Ideas
Personal Presentation

Presentation
Your portfolio should include 15 to 20 works. Approximately half of the portfolio should consist of drawings from direct observation. Self-portraits, still lifes, interior spaces and figure drawings can all be presented. Drawings should be kept neat and flat, with a sheet of paper between each work. Matting, mounting or framing is not required and add unecessary bulk to your portfolio. Especially large drawings can be rolled to protect the work. Three-dimensional work may be presented in slide or photo documentation. Ideally, all of the work you present will have been completed within the past two years. Edit your portfolio accordingly. If you have a sketchbook, please include it too. Your most recent work will best represent your abilities and interests.

Tell Us Who You Are
The faculty member who conducts your review will be interested in your ideas, activities, academic record, past achievements and your goals for the future. Come with plenty of questions about the College, our faculty, students and programs.

A Quick Guide to Presenting Your Portfolio
Your portfolio will be assessed in the following way:

50% Drawing from Observation (not from photographs)
Still -Life
Self-Portrait
Interior / Architectural Space
Landscape
Figure Drawing

40 % Personal Strength
This part of the portfolio is an opportunity for you to showcase your particular strengths, personal style and creativity; you may choose to present a series of work in a single media or demonstrate a variety of techniques.

10% Independent / Experimental
A few examples of work outside of your comfort zone can create an opportunity to investigate ideas and new concepts.

When, Where and How

On Campus
You may schedule a weekday portfolio review by calling the Art Office at 518-485-3900 or go to: http://www.strose.edu/undergraduateadmissions/article1447    This is an opportunity for you to have an individual review, tour our facilities, view student work and meet with faculty and students. Or you may choose to schedule your review on one of our Saint Rose Open House / Portfolio Day weekends.

On the Road
You may also have your portfolio reviewed at select National Portfolio Review Days (check out http://www.portfolioday.net for dates and locations). In addition we participate in local and regional portfolio days. Please call the Art Office (518-485-3900) to confirm your attendance.

By Mail
Slide or CD submissions are also acceptable. Please include a separate printed numerical inventory listing the size, media and date completed for each of the works submitted. 35mm slides must be presented in a transparent slide sheet. Each slide should have your name and a number corresponding to your list. Digital images should be in jpg format with numbers corresponding to your list. Portfolios received by mail will be returned only if a self-addressed stamped envelope is included.

Portolios should be mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
432 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
Attn: Center for Art and Design

A Note to Transfer Students
For purposes of program evaluation and placement, students who have completed studio coursework at another institution should include additional work to represent the content covered in each class you expect to transfer. You may choose to do this in a follow-up placement review. If you would like to have your portfolio assessed for admission and for placement please let us know when you schedule your appointment.

Contact Us
For all questions regarding portfolio preparation, application procedures, or scholarship opportunities please contact:

Marian Sullivan Chilson
Undergraduate Admissions/Art Liaison
432 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
518-485-3919
Marian Chilson

Center for Art and Design Main Office 518-485-3900