Portfolio Requirements

ALL applicants to the Bachelor of Architecture or Bachelor of Landscape Architecture programs are required to submit a portfolio described as follows. Complete the Portfolio Cover Page and submit with your portfolio.  All portfolios should be mailed directly to the School of Architecture at:

USC School of Architecture
Undergraduate Admission
Watt Hall 204
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0291

Content
We are interested in learning about your personal creativity, not limited to specifically architectural work. You may include work from school courses, extracurricular activities or independent projects.

Examples of creative work might include drawing, painting, ceramics, graphics, photography, cartooning, woodworking or the making of things. Please refrain from only submitting examples of CAD or drafting.

Format

Portfolios must be submitted in a BOUND format and not exceed 8.5 x 11 inches (22 x 28 cm) or be more than 0.5 inch (2 cm) thick.  This typically consists of a portfolio/art profolio/presentation/display book with clear pocket pages.  Please do not submit work in a photo album.  Do not submit your work in loose form or in file folders.

Electronic or cd/disk submissions will not be accepted.

Other Requirements
Clearly label the outside of the portfolio with your name and USC ID number. Include your Portfolio Cover Page in the portfolio.

DO NOT send original work. Reproduce the works through black/white or color copies. If necessary, please reduce the size of the work when copying in order to fit in an 8.5 x 11 inch (or smaller) bound portfolio. Three-dimensional work should be represented through photographs. Please ensure that the copies or photos are clear and in focus. Do not submit tubes with original work. Slides should not be submitted; please make prints of the slides.

Label each item and indicate if the work was done in class or out of class as an independent project. Indicate if the work is a result of an individual or group effort (if group, please note extent of involvement). List the size of the original piece and the medium(s) used to make it. You may also include one or two sentences commenting on the project or your process.

If you have had the opportunity to work in an architect's office, you may include projects you worked on there, but must indicate what and how extensive your involvement was.

The portfolio should include 8 to 15 pieces presented in a neat and organized manner. Please be selective - you want to show your best work, not all your work. But do not be too judgmental of your work - we are not expecting perfection. In addition to content, we are also interested in the making of the portfolio; the manner in which the work is organized, presented and described.

Please indicate on the Portfolio Cover Page if you would like your portfolio returned. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope (big enough to hold the portfolio). Please do not affix metered postage on the return envelope.  Please note that in the past, we have experienced postal difficulties returning portfolios weighing more than 16 ounces and will make all efforts to handle student work with care, but we cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged items.  Portfolios will not be returned until June/July.

The School of Architecture reserves the right to reproduce the portfolios of admitted students for academic purposes. These reproductions will be the sole property of the school.

TRANSFER APPLICANTS should submit a portfolio that reflects any and all DESIGN or architecture experience from college or work experience. Show us the full breadth and depth of design skills and education. With your most complex project, show some of the process work as well. Be sure to include photographs of models.  Include syllabi for architecture, design and art classes.  Also include in the portfolio, design work that as a prelude formed the basis and/ or foundation for your architecture design work.  We not only want to review your architectural work but also work that will help us gain a fuller understanding of the pedagogical framework from which your design work has been generated.  Please include at least one letter of recommendation in a sealed envelope.

Deadlines

October 15, 2008
Part I Application Deadline for Freshmen and Transfer Students (USC's Part I application is optional)

December 1, 2008
Freshman Application and Portfolio Deadline for Scholarship Consideration

January 10, 2009
Freshman Application and Portfolio Deadline

February 2, 2009
Transfer Application and Portfolio Deadline for Scholarship and Regular Consideration

* all dates are Postmark deadlines

 
Contact Us

USC Architecture
Undergraduate Admissions

 

Related Links

Architecture Bulletin/Brochure

USC Online Application 

USC General Application FAQs

Freshman Application Process

Transfer Application Process



©2007 USC School of Architecture and The University of Southern California