College Series 3: Portfolios, Resumes, and Supplements
Along with your essay and your application, colleges may request a portfolio, a resume, or an extra supplement, whether it is a writing supplement or an arts supplement. In today's post, we'll dive into some of the mechanics and tools you can use that will hopefully help you be successful. Like everything else in your application, these extra things are just so that colleges have an even better idea of who you are that is more than just words, scores, and stats.
PORTFOLIOS/ARTS SUPPLEMENTS:
Your portfolio should showcase work you have created or work that shows off your ability in whatever your passion/skill is. You shouldn't include everything you've ever done, but you should show your best work meaning that it should not include everyday classwork or random sketches, but actual pieces that you feel good about. For video portfolios/supplements, make sure your videos are clear with good lighting and your sound is not fuzzy. You can always add in an audio track, if needed, while you are editing your video. Colleges aren't expecting professional work, but you want to put your best foot forward. The editing software I use is iMovie. It's super convenient and extremely easy. Make sure that as you are editing, you put a little caption or title and give credit to composers, choreographers, etc for a few seconds. My dance portfolio is about 6 minutes long with clips of some of my solos as well as pieces I've created, but make sure you check your college's video guidelines before putting it together. Also, if you need videos of your work from a teacher or someone else who has it on disk or their computer, ask for the file ahead of time!!
My best friend Jasmine, who will be attending Stanford University this fall, has a more detailed video about arts supplements, so check her out in the link below!
HOW TO: SUCCESSFUL College Dance Portfolio
RESUMES:
There are a lot of resume formats on the internet but here are the formats I've used. On the left is my professional resume, meaning it's more focused on previous jobs, volunteer work, etc. On the right is my dance resume format. As you can see both sides have a sense of order and follows the same format throughout the resume.
(For privacy purposes the pictures are a little blurry and things are whited out, but hopefully you get an idea of the formats.)
Things to do on your resume:
-Put things from most recent to least recent
-Use the "tab" button not multiple spaces
-Start a new line instead of cutting off a first and last name or a school name
-If you list names, put them in alphabetical order
-Try to keep it one page
-Make sure your headings are clear
-Don't pick a fancy font
-Include location and/or organizations
PORTFOLIOS/ARTS SUPPLEMENTS:
Your portfolio should showcase work you have created or work that shows off your ability in whatever your passion/skill is. You shouldn't include everything you've ever done, but you should show your best work meaning that it should not include everyday classwork or random sketches, but actual pieces that you feel good about. For video portfolios/supplements, make sure your videos are clear with good lighting and your sound is not fuzzy. You can always add in an audio track, if needed, while you are editing your video. Colleges aren't expecting professional work, but you want to put your best foot forward. The editing software I use is iMovie. It's super convenient and extremely easy. Make sure that as you are editing, you put a little caption or title and give credit to composers, choreographers, etc for a few seconds. My dance portfolio is about 6 minutes long with clips of some of my solos as well as pieces I've created, but make sure you check your college's video guidelines before putting it together. Also, if you need videos of your work from a teacher or someone else who has it on disk or their computer, ask for the file ahead of time!!
My best friend Jasmine, who will be attending Stanford University this fall, has a more detailed video about arts supplements, so check her out in the link below!
HOW TO: SUCCESSFUL College Dance Portfolio
RESUMES:
There are a lot of resume formats on the internet but here are the formats I've used. On the left is my professional resume, meaning it's more focused on previous jobs, volunteer work, etc. On the right is my dance resume format. As you can see both sides have a sense of order and follows the same format throughout the resume.
(For privacy purposes the pictures are a little blurry and things are whited out, but hopefully you get an idea of the formats.)
Things to do on your resume:
-Put things from most recent to least recent
-Use the "tab" button not multiple spaces
-Start a new line instead of cutting off a first and last name or a school name
-If you list names, put them in alphabetical order
-Try to keep it one page
-Make sure your headings are clear
-Don't pick a fancy font
-Include location and/or organizations
Comments
Post a Comment