AP Portfolio vs. College Portfolio
AP portfolios say, “Here’s what I learned” college portfolios say, “Here’s why you should pay me.”
COLLEGE PORTFOLIO
The college portfolio is the largest indicator for one's success and bears the most weight when it comes to college decision making.
Strategically, the college decision comes down to whether or not the student is far along enough with the art process, skill level, and student voice.
AP PORTFOLIO
Sustained Investigation
15 digital images | 60% of portfolio score
Selected Works
5 works | 40% of portfolio score
COLLEGE PORTFOLIO
Credit vs. No Credit
Most colleges will not allow a student with a passing score (3, 4 or 5) to skip a first-year core course, either because they have nothing comparable or, for art majors, they want all of them to take the same courses.
AP PORTFOLIO
Credit vs. No Credit
Your AP scores could earn you college credit or advanced placement (meaning you could skip certain courses in college).
If you are attending an Art School, you will need to contact that school to see if you can test out of any entry level drawing courses.
COLLEGE PORTFOLIO
Inspiration
Colleges want to see what inspires students.
They are not looking for a theme.
AP PORTFOLIO
Inquiry
Materials, processes, and ideas are integrated and guided by the inquiry at the heart of the sustained investigation.
The theme is explored Semester 2 of Junior year.
COLLEGE PORTFOLIO
Concepts and Ideas
Colleges prefer to see developed concepts and evocative ideas, rather than technical exercises.
Technical exercises: a color wheel, or generic still-life.
AP PORTFOLIO
Technical Expertise
AP wants to see not only your technical expertise with drawing and value scale, that also want to see your concepts and ideas.
They want to see how you use materials and experimentation to get your ideas across.
COLLEGE PORTFOLIO
Experiment
Colleges value experimentation with different materials and mediums, working with non-traditional art materials, and going beyond the obvious solutions and methods.
AP PORTFOLIO
Experiment
AP also values
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experimentation with different materials and mediums
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working with non-traditional art materials
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going beyond the obvious solutions and methods.
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Revising when necessary.