The portfolio review really shook me up but I had to do something so I enrolled in another art class at school and asked the teacher to help me build a portfolio. I did extra watercolors and drawings and actually felt pretty confident with the body of work I created, so I made an appointment with the admissions people at Tyler for another review.
This time I had a leather portfolio case of my own. It was a little big considering my pieces were no bigger than 11" x 17" but anything was better than that big heavy duty trash bag. I felt good and I was ready to show them I belonged at their art school.
My mother and I drove to the little suburb outside of Philly where the art school was located. We got a little campus tour and I was in awe of how beautiful and peaceful it was, it felt so perfect for me. Finally, after saying goodbye to our tour guide we went into the admissions office for my appointment.
I opened my portfolio and proudly went through every piece explaining the process and so on. The lady, who remembered me from the National Portfolio Review, just sat and listened patiently. When I was done she sighed. She explained to me that she felt I had the potential but she was afraid I would not be at the same level as the other freshmen coming in. She told me to follow her. The lady led my mother and I into the waiting area to a charcoal drawing that had to be at least 4’ x 6’. It was so beautiful and very expressive, I had never seen anything like it. The admissions lady went on to say that a freshman did the drawing in her foundation drawing class. I would be expected to have the same if not higher level of skill. At that moment I understood. She was really trying to save me the agony of not being prepared for their competitive program, but still in my heart I knew I belonged at that school. The challenge made me want to be there even more. {{Read more here.}}
