This is a week long campus day program for high school students who are developing a portfolio for college admissions. The course will be taught by Jefferson Ellinger an Assistant Professor of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He will assist students with photographing and presenting artwork in an electronic portfolio for college admissions. Students will need to bring work that they have already produced as they learn how to present themself through a book conceptually, then technically how to document the work, and finally how to produce the book itself. A typical day will be a morning lecture, a break for lunch, and hands on building the portfolio in the afternoon.

Students who are planning to submit a portfolio at Rensselaer will need to provide hand drawings, paintings and other art in addition to technical drawings. Students in this program are preparing portfolios for study in majors such as Architecture, Electronic Arts and EMAC. Visit this link for details on Rensselaer's Portfolio Requirements for Freshman.

Registration Information

2009 Build Your Portfolio for College Application Registration Form (58KB PDF file)

Cost: $575 per person. Cost includes portfolio/art kit for students to use and keep.

Registration Deadline: Early registrations are encouraged. Space is limited. A non-refundable deposit of $115.00 must accompany the registration. Final payment and the below accepted student forms are due two weeks prior to the start of the program. If you have any questions, please contact Kari Bennett at (518) 276-6431.

Program Details

Rensselaer requires students interested in Architecture and Electronic Arts to submit a portfolio with their college application. Architecture candidates are expected to submit a creative portfolio at the time of application. Electronic Arts applicants are required to submit a creative portfolio and an essay which should be connected to the work submitted in the portfolio and demonstrates interest in the program.

Faculty Profile: Jefferson Ellinger is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and specializes in computational design techniques. Specifically, the research/teaching he undertakes is focused on developing and designing parametric relations to promote novelty in design. He received his Masters of Architecture from Columbia University. Jefferson is a founding partner of E/Ye Design (www.eye-des.com). His firm has built several projects throughout North America and they have won several international competitions, most recently a multi-use facility in Kazakhstan. Their work has been recognized by being featured in several publications and exhibited at MoMA in New York City.

Accepted Student Forms

Check list for completing Medical History Form - Day Programs (52KB PDF file)
Medical History Form - Day Programs (58KB PDF file)
Medication Sheet Form (54KB PDF file)
Self Medication Waiver (52KB PDF file)
Authorization to Visit - Summer Day Programs (159KB PDF file)

Note for Summer program participants Medication Sheet Form and Self Medication Waiver: For children who do not have any prescriptions the parent and doctor should sign the Medication sheet for the three over the counter medications listed so they can be administered by the Health Services Office. If your son/daughter does not have any medications to self administer then the Self Medication Form is not applicable.

Transportation: All participants must furnish their own transportation to and from campus.

To report a student absent or late: If your child will be absent please call prior to 9:00am and speak with program director or Kari Bennett in the Summer Programs Office at (518) 276-6431. Students arriving to campus late (after 9:00am) need to be escorted by a parent or guardian to the Build Your Portfolio for College Application classroom. If at all possible we ask that you call ahead of time to report the lateness.

Snack and Lunch: Please remember that each student should bring their own snack and bag lunch every day.

Program Inquiries/Questions: For further information about the program, Request Information, or contact, Mike Gunther, Program Manager for Recruitment, (518) 276-8351, gunthm@rpi.edu.

MAIL OR FAX MATERIALS TO:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – Attn: Outreach Programs Office
110 8th Street – Low Center Suite 4011
Troy, NY 12180-3590
(518) 276-6431 (Voice)
(518) 276-8738 (Fax)
An email will be sent to confirm receipt of materials.

Special Needs: If you have any special needs please contact Kari Bennett at (518) 276-6431.

Registration Questions & Answers: If you have any registration questions, please contact Kari Bennett at (518) 276-6431.