Optional Portfolio Requirements for Transfer Students
Advanced placement portfolio review option is available for transfer students only. Transfer applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Architecture program who seek advanced placement in the undergraduate architecture studio sequence are required to submit a portfolio of creative work as part of their application. Applicants who do not seek advanced placement are not required to submit a portfolio.
Portfolio Submission and Deadline
Complete this screening form to get instructions for submitting a portfolio. Submissions are recommended at the time of your UIC application. The deadline is the UIC transfer admissions deadline, typically April 1. Late submissions are not accepted. Advanced placement review does not impact an admissions decision.
Portfolio Content
A successful design portfolio is a collection of creative work that displays strong conceptualization and visualization skills, evidence of critical thinking and design development, and an overall intellectual curiosity.
The content of the portfolio should consist primarily of creative work, and may include various modes of representation, such as pencil drawings, paintings, sculptures, graphic designs, physical models, 3D visualization renderings, etc. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating how a creative idea is developed from conceptual sketches to a more finalized project.
Transfer applicants who are eligible for potential advanced placement (see criteria above) should include architectural design work done in an academic setting, and should present sketches, models, diagrams, and hand or CAD drafted presentation drawings to emphasize the architectural design process from conceptualization to final design presentation.
The portfolio should NOT document CAD drawings from CAD courses (i.e. basic or advanced computer-aided drafting courses, introduction to architectural CAD courses, CAD for Architectural Drafting courses, architectural CAD courses, etc.) or internships in an architectural office. Applicants should NOT submit blueprints or construction drawings from an office or from building science or technology courses. All drawings from these sources should be excluded from a portfolio because they do not provide an indication of an applicant's creative work.
In addition, the overall design of the portfolio itself should demonstrate a level of thinking, care, and consistency that is commensurate with the applicant's creative work. Aspects of the portfolio that should be carefully considered and consistent throughout are: page size, orientation, and layout; font style, labeling, and descriptive text; title pages; use of color, etc.