Portfolio Requirements
An admissions portfolio for first year students should consist of 10 to 15 digital images of your best and most recent work. Transfer applicants are encouraged to submit up to 20 digital images. The work can demonstrate course assignments, personal projects, or work experience.
Your portfolio should include a focused series of images that shows your current interests, and additional work that reveals an awareness of formal visual organizational principles and experience with a variety of tools, media, styles, and approaches.
We prefer that the majority of drawings submitted in the portfolio be derived from direct observation rather than other sources (such as photographs). Still life, landscape, figure drawings, portrait, perspective, and diagrammatic drawings are all recommended. Further two-, three-, or four-dimensional work may be abstract or representational and may range from design projects to fine art pieces or installation documentation.
Portfolio for Transfer Applicants
If you're a transfer student, submit a portfolio consisting of 15 to 20 images. For advanced studio placement, a portion of the images must reflect studio course assignments, personal projects, or work experience in your area of concentration.
*Transfer credit is assessed based on successful completion of transferable studio work, as well as portfolio quality.
Waivers for the Core entry requirements (2D, 3D, 4D, Drawing) are given based on successful completion of studio work and overall portfolio quality.
Students with 18 or more studio units meeting the aforementioned grade and portfolio requirement may also receive waivers for the Core entry requirements. Portfolios should include images reflecting competency in drawing, two- and three-dimensional organizational principles, and work that covers digital technologies or film.
Portfolio for Writing and Literature and Visual Studies Applicants
Students applying to the Writing and Literature or Visual Studies Programs are required to submit a writing portfolio (5 to 10 pages).
The portfolio for the Writing and Literature Program should include poetry, fiction, or both.
Applicants to the Visual Studies Program are encouraged to submit an example of a written history assignment.
Students who have visual work are encouraged to submit examples of artwork along with their written portfolio, using one of the five portfolio types listed below.
Portfolio for Architecture Applicants
Your portfolio should demonstrate the breadth of your creative work. While work with architectural content is not required, students who choose to submit architectural images in their portfolio should submit work reflecting design, not drafting, skills. Please include project descriptions, dates, and your contribution to the project.
Advanced standing in Architecture is assessed based on successful completion of studio work, and portfolio quality. For more details, refer to the section "Portfolio for Transfer Applicants."
How to Submit Your Work
CCA prefers undergraduate portfolios submitted as a series of digital images and recognizes three types of portfolios for submission; online, mail, or as application attachments.
Online portfolio submissions (preferred): Applicants may submit their portfolio for review using SlideRoom. The digital platform allows you to create an inventory of your best work which includes title, date, medium, dimensions and notes. Both still, and video works are capable of being uploaded. Applicants may upload images to SlideRoom, view and rearrange their work until the final submission is made. Each portfolio submission has a $10 fee.
*No changes to your portfolio can be made following final submission.
*For portfolio submission technical support, email help@slideroom.com.
*SlideRoom allows for submission of 20 images. CCA asks for a portfolio for first year students to consist of 10 to 15 digital images and up to 20 images for transfer applicants. You are not required to submit the maximum of 20 images, and will not be penalized for submitting less than 20.
Mailing portfolio submissions: Applicants may submit their portfolio for review using a CD to store digital images or video works. All portfolios must include a file on the disc containing a descriptive list identifying each work by number, title, dimensions, medium, completion date, and any other relevant information.
*All portfolios must be sent to the Enrollment Services Office. Portfolios will not be returned. Although every precaution is taken to protect portfolios, the college cannot be responsible for loss or damage.
*Name, address, and phone number must be written on both the disc and jewel case.
Attached portfolio submissions (Writing and Literature and Visual Studies majors only): Applicants may submit their writing portfolio for review as an attachment to their online application, or on a CD. Writing portfolios include 5 to 10 pages of writing samples. The portfolio for the Writing and Literature Program should include poetry, fiction, or both. Applicants to the Visual Studies Program are encouraged to submit an example of a written history assignment. All work submitted may either be attached in an online application with the heading "PORTFOLIO" placed in the essay portion, submitted as printed documents mailed with the printed application, or as Word files on a CD.
*Students who have visual work are encouraged to submit examples of artwork along with their written portfolio, using the instructions above.
*If a CD is submitted, please write your name, address, and phone number on both the disc and jewel case.
The Enrollment Services Office reviews original work in person for application approval during regular business hours or during National Portfolio Days. If a portfolio has been approved during a visit with an Enrollment Counselor, a student is not required to submit a portfolio for admission.
*Students wishing to be considered for merit scholarships must submit a portfolio.
*Submission of original work with your application is not recommended, portfolios will not be returned.