Portfolios

All students applying for CAMD majors and combined majors are encouraged to include a creative portfolio as part of their Northeastern University application package. Portfolios are optional but encouraged for all CAMD majors.

Given the university’s test-optional policy, this is an especially important supplement that provides the Admissions committee additional insight into an applicant’s creative potential and overall “fit” for CAMD. In addition, all students who submit a portfolio will be considered for a Creative Leaders scholarship as well as a CAMD Deans Honors Fellow award. The college offers a limited number of full-tuition scholarships, as well as $10k and $15k annual (renewable) awards for students who demonstrate both academic and creative excellence. Students selected for the Deans Honors Fellow award will be offered special opportunities to hone their creative potential while at CAMD, including an additional stipend for experiential activities such as research, global experiences, and creative projects.

A portfolio should be submitted under the category that aligns with an applicant’s intended field of study or creative background. For example, a prospective Communications Studies major with a photography portfolio may want to consider submitting under the “Art + Design” category. Combined major and Undeclared applicants can select a traditional academic area or the “Interdisciplinary” category.

The portfolio review process is an excellent opportunity for students to introduce themselves to the CAMD faculty and staff evaluators. We’re looking for students who demonstrate creative passion along with entrepreneurial and leadership potential to take advantage of all of CAMD and Northeastern’s academic and experiential opportunities.

Portfolio Submission

Students can submit a portfolio under their Application Status Check after applying to Northeastern. Applicants are encouraged to complete all forms, including Academic Profile, Media Uploads, and Personal Statement (500-word limit). Please only submit one portfolio. Additional submissions will not be reviewed.

Early Action/Early Decision: November 6

Regular Decision/Early Decision II: January 5

Transfer: April 5

The School of Architecture is looking for students who are excited to participate in the interdisciplinary, global, and practice-engaged studies offered in our School. This creative statement is an opportunity for you to tell us about your creative interests and experiences and what you’re aiming to advance through further studies. This is also your chance to tell us about the types of environments that you find inspiring and that you’re interested in studying and shaping through architecture.

Your portfolio should demonstrate talent in visual, spatial, or organizational representation, craft and conceptual thinking through drawing, photography, digital graphics, drafting, modeling, or artwork of all types.

Submit 5-10 items that may include separate images (up to 5 MB each), video (up to 60 MB each), and PDFs (up to 20 MB each). You may also link to media from YouTube and Vimeo.

Art/Design/Media Arts

The Department of Art + Design is looking for the next generation of innovative visual problem solvers and creative makers who expressively engage with the broader world and exercise personal agency and vision through their chosen medium. In your portfolio personal statement, please describe what qualities you feel you will bring to the department and your college-level educational experience and why.

Your portfolio should showcase your best original work in a variety of media that reveal your ability to choose fascinating subjects, master technical skills, and explore interesting ideas. No particular subject matter or style is required or expected. Portfolios are evaluated for evidence of a curious mind at work and your creative investigation of mediums, experimental manipulation of form, and diligent development of technique.

Transfer applicants are encouraged to submit work that reflects studio coursework taken since high school.

Submit 10-15 items that may include images (up to 10 MB each), video (up to 120 MB each), and PDFs (up to 20 MB each). You may also link to media from YouTube and Vimeo.

Game Design

Your portfolio should include 1-5 pieces, which may consist of any number of the following:

Demo, video game trailer, or screenshots of a game you created or worked on.
Game concept, in the form of a written game design document or storyboard
Drawings or illustrations of game ideas or characters
Screenshots of 3D models or other assets you’ve created
Audio recordings of sounds or music created for a game, if applicable
List of activities/accomplishments, including game jams, camps, workshops, or pre-college programs you’ve attended, as well as any festivals or exhibitions where games you worked on were shown (optional)

Please specify your role in each sample.

Communication Studies

A portfolio for Communication Studies should include evidence of excellence in debate or forensics, participation in a political or organizational campaign, or creative work (such as a screenplay, an audio or video project, or a documentary), while a portfolio for Media Studies should include evidence of excellence in creative work (such as a screenplay, an audio or video project, or a documentary).

Debate/Forensics: Provide a list of achievements and awards.
Political or organizational campaign: Provide a narrative of your participation or letters of recommendation from members of the campaign.
Creative work: Submit a narrative, non-fiction, or interactive work (audio or video) that is 5-10 minutes in length; a completed screenplay not more than 30 pages in length; or a documentary film that is 5-15 minutes in length.

Submit up to five items that may include video (up to 120 MB each), audio (up to 30 MB each), and PDFs (up to 10 MB each). You may also link to media from YouTube, Vimeo or SoundCloud.

Media and Screen Studies

Your portfolio should demonstrate evidence of excellence in creative work (such as a screenplay, an audio or video project, or a documentary). To add context to achievements, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume.

A narrative, non-fiction, or interactive work (audio or video) that demonstrates experience with media production and is 5-10 minutes in length. If the original work is longer than 10 minutes, provide a segment or re-edited version.
A completed screenplay at least 30 pages in length.
A documentary film that demonstrates experience with producing and directing documentaries and is 5-15 minutes in length. If the original work is longer than 15 minutes, provide a segment or re-edited version.

Submit up to five items that may include video (up to 120 MB each), audio (up to 30 MB each), and PDFs (up to 10 MB each). You may also link to media from YouTube, Vimeo or SoundCloud.

It has never been a more exciting time to be involved in media, communications and journalism. In your portfolio, please discuss the possibilities you see in these fields and how you would pursue them.

Your portfolio should exhibit prior experience with editing and writing for traditional or online newspapers and publications, or experience with broadcast or multimedia journalism. Depending on your area of interest, please submit the requested number of samples from one of the following categories:

Print: 3-5 print articles (reviews, reportage, or opinion pieces)
Video: 2-3 stories shot and/or reported by you
Photos: 5-6 photos and/or a published photo essay
Layout/Design: 2-3 pages

Submit a Personal Statement and 2-6 items that may include images (up to 5 MB each), video (up to 60 MB each), and PDFs (up to 10 MB each). You may also link to media from YouTube and Vimeo.

The Department of Music seeks students whose talent, creativity and energy demonstrate a lively commitment to exploring and growing into a life in music. A strong portfolio may be focused on one skill—whether in performance, production, composition, songwriting, sound design or other skill set—or it may show a range of skills and enthusiasms in music. The best strategy for applicants is to put their best selves forward; we are open to any application that reflects an active imagination and an eagerness to explore and create.

B.A. in Music

Your portfolio may include one or more of the following:

Original compositions, arrangements, charts, or songs, documented with audio files and/or scores, lead sheets, etc.
Video or audio documentation of performance (vocal or instrumental), composition or studio work
Documentation of creative and successful entrepreneurship in music and the arts
Work samples in music journalism
Evidence of online acumen, including website design, web promotion, etc.
Other evidence of collaborative pursuits across the arts and/or across media

Submit 3-5 items that may include images (up to 10 MB each), video (up to 120 MB each), audio (up to 60 MB each), and PDFs (up to 20 MB each). You may also link to media from YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud.

Music Industry

Your portfolio may include one or more of the following:

Original compositions, arrangements, charts, or songs, documented with audio files and/or scores, lead sheets, etc.
Video or audio documentation of performance (vocal or instrumental) or studio work
Evidence of potential in the business of music, including materials related to organizing and promoting concerts or other performances
Documentation of experience in touring or tour management
Documentation of experience in artist management
Documentation of creative and successful entrepreneurship
Work samples in music journalism
Evidence of online acumen, including website design, web promotion, etc.

Music Technology

Your portfolio may include one or more of the following:

3-5 representative examples of your creative work in a form that best represents the project, including lead sheets of original songs or printed scores of original compositions or arrangements. Digital formats may include MIDI or digital audio files of URLs for websites that include original music or sounds. Audio recordings of compositions are highly recommended. Video recordings of live music performances are also acceptable.
A short statement explaining your involvement in the creation of the work. The statement should note whether you are the sole creator or a collaborator; the composer, arranger, or remixer; and whether you are performing the work on the recording(s).
A separate one-page statement describing your musical background, influences, and goals as well as why you think the Music Technology program is right for you.

Submit three items that may include video (up to 120 MB each), audio (up to 60 MB each), and PDFs (up to 20 MB each). You may also link to media from YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud.

Music & Psychology

Your portfolio may include one or more of the following:

A written report of any original research in music and/or psychology, or an allied field
Original compositions, arrangements, charts, or songs, documented with audio files and/or scores, lead sheets, etc.
Video or audio documentation of performances (vocal or instrumental) or studio work

The Department of Theatre’s mission is to provide a transformative education that aligns performance and production with academic inquiry and professional experience. We are uniquely positioned to help multidimensional students create individualized paths through our rich curriculum, extensive production opportunities, and co-ops in which they can work in professional theatre environments. In this way, our students develop a unique understanding of professionalism and entrepreneurship as the foundations of meaningful careers.

Please share with us your multiple dimensions and tell us how you envision Theatre helping you to develop your creativity and empathy.

Your portfolio should demonstrate talent and experience with performance in professional or school theatre, technical production, or playwriting.

Performance: Submit an audition video and mention the play, its author, and the character(s) you are playing.
Include two contrasting scenes or monologues and, if you wish, 16 bars of a song.
Selections should be no longer than a total of three minutes in length combined.
Production (Design/Technology/Stage Management): Submit a video with your name and the name and author of the plays that represent your work.
Designers/technicians should provide a broad range of examples of their creative and artistic work, which may include actual theatre designs and renderings, working drawings, props, puppets and costumes. You could also submit other artistic work such as photography, graphic design, video and audio design, sketches, and fashion design or construction.
Stage managers should include a few sample pages from a prompt script.
Playwriting: Submit a writing sample of a short, one-act play and/or character monologue. Include your name and the titles of your submissions.

Submit resume and 1-5 items that may include images (up to 10 MB each), video (up to 120 MB each), audio (up to 60 MB each), and PDFs (up to 20 MB each). You may also link to media from YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud.

Auditions

Auditions for the Theatre major are encouraged, but not required. You may audition in person on campus or submit a video audition with your application. Because we are not a conservatory, your admission to Northeastern is not exclusively talent-based, but auditioning can help to enhance your admissions profile and increase your merit-based financial aid if accepted.

Please prepare two contrasting scenes or monologues and, if you wish, 16 bars of a song. Your selections should be no longer than a total of three minutes in length combined. We recommend that you select contemporary monologues and only do a classic piece if that is your particular strength or interest. Choose pieces that have meaning to you—we are looking for honesty and a strong commitment to what you are doing.

For more information, please contact Jesse Hinson at [email protected].

If you are undecided, applying to an existing combined major or may be interested in eventually pursing one during your time at Northeastern, you might consider submitting a portfolio to the Interdisciplinary category. The College of Arts, Media and Design is a vibrant community of scholars, makers, and practitioners dedicated to exploration and innovation in communication, design, and the arts. Please submit a portfolio that demonstrates your creative ability in one of these areas. If you are applying to a combined major, please choose one academic program and refer to the recommendations for this area (ie. Media and Screen Studies or Theatre).

Submit 3-5 items that may include images (up to 5MB each), video (up to 250MB each), audio (up to 30MB each), PDFs (up to 10MB each), 3D Models.