Pratt Institute

“I went to magnet high school and majored inOct 06 2010Other
I went to magnet high school and majored in visual art. I prepared two portfolios for Pratt's talent search: one for Art & Design and another for Computer Graphics. I won 1st place in Computer Graphics. Also I took advantage of my high school's college/university program and took my ACT during my junior year to be able to take college-level design courses in my senior year.
Female

“I submitted my portfolio ON the deadline date, postmarkedApr 29 2010Art & Design Department
i submitted my portfolio ON the deadline date, postmarked on the date, by accident of course. I don't even know how i got accpeted, my portfolio was probably not as good as half of the people that Pratt declined. I had extracurriculars, but does that even count in an art school? and so did everyone else. I had a pretty decent SAT score, but a lot of people had better, most in fact. Its a really prestigious school, and I really couldn't tell you how i got in.
ACT: 27 SAT: 1830 Female

“Wasn't too hard getting inFeb 20 2010Architecture
Wasn't too hard getting in. The problem was staying there. Many people left after a year or two. When they couldn't get past Statics and Steel Structures courses, they got the idea that they'd never be an architect. I guess they didn't understand what they were getting into.
Male

“Have a 3Feb 17 2010Communications
Have a 3.0+ gpa they might accept lower but a good gpa can make up for a poor portfolio.

Your portfolio has to have around 20 pieces (i think). make sure at least 50% is pretty strong. Number of pieces matters, 2 great pieces doesn't count as a whole portfolio, and 50 bad pieces won't do either. Have good presentation, don't send in a messy sketchbook if you can avoid it. Show variety in technique, medium, and subject matter. Taking saturday classes at a local art center is a great way to build your portfolio. They like to see life drawings/paintings, they can tell if you work from photos.

I don't think going to the summer pre-college program gives you much of an advantage. In some cases it can hurt you, especially if you don't do well in your classes.

good luck!
Female

“Best advice: Show your uniqueness in writing styleOct 28 2009English
Best advice: Show your uniqueness in writing style. Submit a broad portfolio. Have good grades and test scores (I mean really good if you want to get in JUST off of that).

Main thing: Portfolio needs to show you know how to write some good shit. Bottom line. It doesn't have to be perfect. But have a voice. Don't try to bend it to "college standards" because Pratt doesn't care. They look for talent. So just submit the stuff you feel closest to as a writer and you should be fine ^__^
SAT: 1990 Male