“New York Art Studio helped me discover my creative voice. I was accepted to RISD, Parsons, Pratt, and SCAD with scholarships. I’m forever grateful.”
Ariel, accepted to BFA Fashion Design at Parsons
Art College Prep
Who Should Apply?
Our Undergraduate Portfolio Prep program is designed for students preparing to enter top art and design colleges, as well as non-art majors who need a strong supplement portfolio for university applications.
This course is ideal for:
- High school students applying to art colleges
- College students planning to transfer to competitive art programs
No prior art experience required.
Why Choose this Program?
Getting into a leading art college takes more than talent. You need a portfolio that demonstrates both technical skill and creative vision.
Our Undergraduate Portfolio Prep provides personalized, one-on-one instruction and expert guidance to help students build a strong, focused portfolio that stands out in the admissions process.
Each project is tailored to students’ individual goals, with mentorship that helps them create portfolios ready for competitive art program applications.
What Classes Look Like
Students can choose flexible class packages (6, 12, or 18 sessions, valid for 6 weeks).
In every class, students receive individual guidance as they explore new techniques, take creative risks, and complete projects aligned with their portfolio goals.
Instructors rotate through the studio to provide personalized feedback on each project. With fewer than 6 students per class, our program ensures an attentive, mentorship-based environment where each student’s progress is central.
Our enrollment is open year-round on a rolling basis.
Students can join anytime and start building their portfolios without delay.
Whether you are just beginning your art journey or already have experience, our program will help you develop the best version of your portfolio, project by project.
Personalized & Targeted Guidelines
We recognize and nurture each student’s strengths, potential, and goals, helping them reach their artistic aspirations. Students build a strong foundation in both art and creative thinking, and develop a portfolio that stands out in the admissions process.
Flexible scheduling
Our courses are organized by the number of sessions, allowing students to schedule classes according to their availability. You can choose an online, on-site, or hybrid format depending on what works best for you.
Experienced Instructors
Our instructors are accomplished artists and designers with years of professional and teaching experience. They provide focused guidance in portfolio development and preparation, tailored to each student’s interests and college goals.
Course Structure
Course Duration
Our standard program runs for 6 weeks, and each class is 4 hours long.
Students may adjust the course duration and schedule based on their availability.
We offer the following course options:
- 6 classes within 6 weeks
- 12 classes within 6 weeks
- 18 classes within 6 weeks
Class Format
Each class is 4 hours and can be taken in person or online.
Instructors provide personalized feedback throughout the session, guiding each student on their unique projects.
We keep small class sizes with an average student-teacher ratio of 6:1, ensuring an optimal learning environment and effective portfolio development. process.
Student Work
Schedule & Tuition
| Session A (Eastern Time) | Session B (Eastern Time) | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 11 AM – 3 PM | 4 PM – 8 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM – 3 PM | 4 PM – 8 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM – 3 PM | 4 PM – 8 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM – 3 PM | 4 PM – 8 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM – 3 PM | 4 PM – 8 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM – 2 PM | 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
* There is a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of $35 for all packages.
| Package Type | Tuition |
|---|---|
| 6 classes within 6 weeks | $890 |
| 12 classes within 6 weeks | $1,735 |
| 18 classes within 6 weeks | $2,580 |
| 24 classes within 6 weeks | $3,425 |
4-week Intensive (up to 10 classes per week) If you are interested in the Intensive option between June and August, please refer to our Summer Art Portfolio Intensive. | $5,800 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
➔Is the course available online and onsite?
Yes. We offer both online and onsite portfolio preparation courses to meet the needs of students who cannot physically commute to our school or who want to combine the benefits of both formats.
➔Is portfolio preparation different from regular art classes?
Yes, significantly.
Regular art classes focus on:
General skill improvement
Isolated projects
Creative exploration
College portfolio preparation focuses on:
School-specific requirements
Cohesive body of work
Structured critique
Concept development
Strategic project selection
Professional documentation
Portfolio prep is admissions-driven and goal-oriented.
➔What do art schools look for in a portfolio?
Admissions reviewers evaluate more than just “pretty drawings.” They look for:
Strong observational skills
Concept development
Risk-taking and experimentation
Personal voice
Craftsmanship
Cohesive presentation
Schools such as Pratt Institute and School of Visual Arts consistently emphasize originality and depth over copying trends.
A competitive portfolio demonstrates growth, not repetition.
➔How many pieces should a college art portfolio have?
Most art and design schools require 12–20 finished works, depending on the program. Some schools may also request additional process work or sketchbook pages.
For example, institutions like Rhode Island School of Design and Parsons School of Design typically expect a strong combination of:
Observational drawing
Concept-driven projects
Technical skill
Personal voice
Process documentation
Quality matters more than quantity. A cohesive, well-developed 15-piece portfolio is stronger than 20 rushed works.
➔Can I include anime, fan art, or copied images in my portfolio?
In most cases, no.
Admissions committees prefer:
Original work
Direct observation
Concept-driven projects
Fan art, copied photographs, or heavily referenced images often weaken a portfolio because they do not demonstrate independent thinking or technical depth.
➔Do I need private lessons for portfolio preparation?
Private portfolio coaching can be highly effective for:
Students applying to highly competitive schools
Students starting late
Students needing intensive revision
Transfer applicants
However, small group classes (such as 6:1 ratio programs) can also provide strong critique structure and peer learning benefits.
The best option depends on your timeline and target schools.
➔When should students start preparing for a college art portfolio?
Ideally, students should begin serious college art portfolio preparation 9–12 months before application deadlines.
Recommended timeline:
9th–10th grade: Foundation building
11th grade: Intensive portfolio development
Summer before senior year: Final refinement
Starting early reduces stress and allows for multiple rounds of critique and revision.
➔What if I start my portfolio late?
If you start late — such as junior spring or senior fall — a structured New York Art Studio Summer Intensive Portfolio Program can help you catch up.
An intensive program allows students to:
Work in fast-paced, focused studio sessions
Complete multiple major portfolio pieces
Strengthen technical skills quickly
Receive daily critique and revision
Build concept-driven projects efficiently
While long-term preparation is ideal, motivated students can make significant progress in a professionally structured summer program.
➔Does a summer portfolio intensive replace a full-year program?
A summer intensive can significantly accelerate development, especially for students who start late. However, it does not fully replace long-term skill building.
The strongest portfolios combine:
Foundation training
Concept development
Structured revision
Professional presentation
A summer intensive works best as:
A catch-up strategy
A focused refinement period
A launch into senior-year completion
➔Do I need a theme or concept for my portfolio?
A theme is not strictly required, but a clear flow or visual through-line often strengthens a portfolio. Many art schools value seeing how your ideas evolve across works, even when they span multiple media or styles.
➔How do I submit my portfolio digitally?
Most colleges use SlideRoom or similar digital submission platforms. You’ll need to create an account, then upload:
- Images of your artwork
- Videos (if applicable)
- Descriptions & titles
- Supporting materials (e.g., artist statement)
All files are submitted directly through the school’s application portal.
➔How competitive are top art schools?
Schools like Rhode Island School of Design and Parsons School of Design receive thousands of applications annually.
A strong GPA alone is not enough.
The portfolio often carries the most weight in admissions decisions.
This is why structured college art portfolio preparation can significantly impact outcomes.