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Transfer Portfolio Guidelines

Special instructions on how to submit your portfolio for review during the COVID pandemic

The Rhode Island College Art Department
Welcomes Transfer Students!

Transfer students bring a variety of experiences and talents, and enrich our educational community. The information below is designed to help students understand RIC’s transfer policies and provide answers to frequently asked questions.

Overview

A portfolio review demonstrating minimum grade equivalency is required for program credit for studio art courses taken at another institution or credit for advanced placement courses. We encourage students to review the following information and guidelines in order to understand the transfer process. For additional information regarding admission and retention requirements for all art programs, please refer to the undergraduate programs sections of the art department website or the college catalog.

Art Department Transfer Student Award

The Transfer Student Talent Award is a partial tuition waiver of $1,000.00* awarded to a newly transferred art major whose portfolio demonstrates exceptional talent in the fine arts. All students who submit transfer portfolios are eligible and will be considered for this award.
* Award amounts may vary. The office of Student Financial Aid determines award amounts each year.

Transfer Agreements

Although art students may transfer from a variety of local, regional and national schools, Rhode Island College maintains cooperative transfer agreements with a number of regional institutions, including The University of Rhode Island, The Community College of Rhode Island, Bristol Community College and Quinebaug Valley Community College.

Students transferring from the above institutions may find details regarding the transfer of course credits on the Rhode Island Transfers web site at: http://www.ritransfers.org/how-courses-transfer/#equivalencies​

When viewing the Course-To-Course Equivalencies pages on the RI Transfers web site, click on the yellow note icon in the column to view details such as portfolio review information.

Transfer students may also refer to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions Transfer Requirements: http://www.ric.edu/admissions/Pages/Transfer-Students.aspx

Rhode Island College Catalog Transfer Applicant Admissions Requirements:
http://www.ric.edu/recordsoffice/Pages/College-Catalog.aspx
General Information-Undergraduate > Admissions-Undergraduate > Transfer Applicants

Transfer Student Orientation

Accepted students will be invited to attend orientation sessions by the Office of Academic Support and Information Services (OASIS). Please call 401.456.8083 or email orientation@ric.edu​ for complete information.

For more information please visit: http://www.ric.edu/admissions/Pages/Transfer-Students.aspx.

FAQ

How do studio art courses transfer to RIC?

Studio art course credits transferred to RIC with a minimum grade of C are listed on the student’s transfer report in the elective category. (The code “XFER 999” will be entered into the equivalent course column.) Elective credits accumulate towards the degree, but do not fulfill specific program requirements unless approved by the Art Department via a portfolio review.

When should transfer portfolios be submitted to the Art Department?

Transfer portfolios may be submitted to the Art Department during the fall and spring semesters*

Accepted Students

Students who have been accepted to the college should submit their transfer portfolios for review the semester before they intend to begin classes so they know how their credits will transfer. Portfolios submitted after the fall Semester ends will be reviewed the week before spring classes begin. *

Summer Session Submissions*

Transfer portfolios may be submitted from the first to fifth week of Summer Session One. Portfolios submitted after that time will be reviewed the week before fall classes begin. A summer session review may be delayed until the beginning of fall semester if faculty in a particular concentration area are not available. * See the College Academic Calendar for dates: http://www.ric.edu/academics/Pages/Academic-Calendar.aspx​.

What are the criteria for a positive review?

Transfer portfolios are evaluated on their own merits. Learning outcomes, along with minimum grade equivalency, are the primary considerations. See Transfer Guideline Details​ below.​

When will I know my transfer portfolio results?

The Art Department will provide review results as soon as possible via email. Students may also call 401.456.8054 or come to the administration office to ask about their review.

What courses do I enroll in if the portfolio has not been reviewed?

New Art Education IM and BA Studio Art IM majors who have not received review results should enroll in ART 101 and ART 104. Art History and Art Minors should enroll in ART 101 or ART 104 per their plan of study. With positive reviews, 101 and/or 104 may be dropped and higher-level courses may be added before the end of the drop/add period.

What if studio art courses are not accepted for program credit?

If a portfolio is not approved, the transferred studio art course credits will remain in the elective category. If the course is a degree requirement, it must be completed at RIC.

Will I complete my degree in the expected time?

It is important for students to complete their degree in as few semesters as possible. In the event that transferred courses are not approved for program credit, students are encouraged to discuss their plans of study with an art faculty adviser. Although customized plans of study may expedite the degree, transfer students sometimes need more time to complete their program of study. Any decisions regarding the plan of study are contingent on the student’s academic goals, grades, overall GPA, final Admissions Office decisions regarding course transfers and Department of Art approvals.

How many pieces should be in each portfolio?

The number of examples submitted will depend on how many projects were completed in the course. Generally, it is assumed there will be several studies/gesture drawings, and a minimum of 5 finished drawings, or several sketches and a minimum of 8 design projects (including digital work) in foundations courses. For studio concentration courses, a minimum of 5–10 examples of both preliminary and finished projects are expected.​

Transfer Portfolio Guideline Details

What to include in the portfolio

  1. Work from each studio course being transferred
    Please include as many examples as possible to support your request, presented in an organized manner and sorted by course. Indicate the number of projects completed for each course.
  2. Completed Transfer Portfolio Form
    Forms are also available at the art department administration office or may be download from the Department of Art web page at http://www.ric.edu/art/Pages/Transfer-Students.aspx​.
  3. Transcripts from your previous college — If available at time of review.
    Admissions will request transcripts for final transfer credit decisions. Credits for approved studio art courses must transfer to RIC.
  4. Course descriptions of transferred courses (From the previous college’s catalog.)

Acceptable forms of artwork

Original artwork may be delivered in a portfolio or protective container. Please be sure that items are secure and can be easily taken out for review and replaced. Large works of art should be photographed for submission due to limited storage space and for ease of transport. Original work is the preferred presentation for 2-D design and drawing portfolios, however photographs or digital submissions are acceptable.

Photographs of Artwork

Photographs of artwork must be good quality. Multiple views of folded works, booklets and 3-D artworks are recommended. Please label with dimension, medium and course name.

Digital Portfolios*

Students may submit digital portfolios, sorted by course, on USB Drive or by emailing Cloud Storage or URL links to the department. Please refer to the How to Submit Portfolios section details. Do not attach art to emails.

Digital submissions must show sufficient detail in order to assess concept and design. Items that fold, booklets or 3-D artwork and design examples should include multiple views. Images should be no larger than 1000 pixels in height or width at 72 dpi. File formats must be PDF, JPEG, PNG or GIF.

Poorly organized portfolios may not be viewed.

Foundations in Digital Media Portfolios
Transfer students may submit a CD/DVD, USB drive or link to a cloud storage account or URL via email with up to 20 images of their previous digital media work.

The submitted work sample should include, but is not limited to, 2-D pixel-based and vector-based digital art, digital photography and digital manipulated images. 2-D time-based, 3-D modeling, rendering, animation, 3-D prints and video game design work may also be submitted.

Students who seek credit for ART 107 have the option of including any combination of images, video links, etc. on video hosting sites, such as Vimeo or YouTube. Static images should be in JPEG format.

Name each JPEG file with “Artist’s Last Name_Artist’s First Name_Number.jpg,” (e.g., “Evans_Amy_01.jpg”, “Evans_Amy_02.jpg” etc.). Video files should be MPEG4 or MOV format. Please note the committee will not view video sample that exceeds five minutes, so please edit your materials accordingly. Any other projects, such as applications or video games, should be compatible with Mac computers.

Portfolios for Studio Concentration Courses

Students may submit portfolios for Ceramics, Digital Media, Graphic Design,** Painting, Photography,*** Printmaking, Metalsmithing & Jewelry Design and Sculpture.

Students are welcome to review sample syllabi. Please call the art department administration office for information at 401-456-8054.

** Graphic Design Portfolios:

A portion of graphic design portfolios may be submitted in digital form; however, a selection of printed, bound or constructed prototypes must also be included to prove proficiency in use of printers, visual sequencing, typography, color, crafting, paper selection, and/or use of scale and presentation.

*** Photography Portfolios:

A portion of photography portfolios may be submitted in digital form; however, a selection of prints and proof sheets must also be included.

Portfolios for Other Concentration Areas

Transferred courses that do not have a direct equivalent at RIC typically remain in the elective category. However, work from other studio art concentrations may exhibit skills that demonstrate readiness for more advanced coursework. Students may submit work from concentration areas not offered at RIC (e.g. Glass, Fiber Arts, etc.) for review if they feel that work may support requests for program credit in Foundations or Concentration courses offered at RIC.

Foundations Course Portfolios

Because the majority of Transfer Portfolios are for Foundations courses, additional information describing specific criteria used in the review is included here.

ART 101: Drawing I: Basic Drawing
The portfolio must demonstrate adequate abilities in the use of art elements and compositional strategies. Competent use of line, shape, value, proportion, organization of space, perspective, and composition are essential considerations.​

ART 104: Design I: Two-Dimensional Design

The portfolio must demonstrate adequate abilities in the use of art elements, including color theory, and principles of organization. Competent use of visual structure, color, organization of space, problem-solving skills, and quality of execution are essential considerations.

ART 105: Drawing II: Figure Drawing

The portfolio must demonstrate the use of the basic visual language to effectively design coherent and unified compositions based on the analysis and interpretation of visual perception, as well as skills in two-point perspective, foreshortening, shape, line, tone, composition, expression, media and anatomy. Competence in the use of structural and gestural lines, linear variation and tone are essential considerations.

ART 107: Foundations in Digital Media
In order to receive credit for Foundations in Digital Media, students must prove basic proficiency in digital image capture. Please include digital photographs or video. Portfolios must demonstrate basic abilities of organizing visual elements, composition, form and space, light and color, and combine fundamental artistic knowledge with pixel-based and vector-based digital imagery.

ART 114: Design II: Three-Dimensional Design
Portfolios must demonstrate adequate skills in visual structuring, basic problem-solving, process and media as it relates to the development of form and basic materials construction and manipulation skills. Competence in visual structuring strategies, sequencing, dimensional evolution, understanding and use of both planar and volumetric form, sophistication of concepts and craft are essential considerations.

ART 204: Synthesis/Three-Dimensional Emphasis
If submitting a portfolio to request program credit for ART 204: Synthesis/Three-Dimensional Emphasis, the portfolio must adequately demonstrate abilities more advanced than the first five Foundations courses. Typically, students at this level of study are simultaneously enrolled in a level-one Studio Concentration course. A series of works that demonstrate a consistent personal investigation and a high level of technical proficiency must be present in the portfolio for a positive review.

ART 205: Synthesis/Two-Dimensional Emphasis
If submitting a portfolio to request program credit for ART 205: Synthesis/Two-Dimensional Emphasis, the portfolio must adequately demonstrate abilities more advanced than the first five foundations courses. Typically, students at this level of study are simultaneously enrolled in a level-one Studio Concentration course. A series of works that demonstrate a consistent personal investigation and a high level of technical proficiency must be present in the portfolio for a positive review.​

How to Submit Portfolios

We can only accept Digital Portfolios at this time.

Digital Portfolios

Students must submit digital portfolios, sorted by course, by emailing an attached PDF file, a Cloud Storage link, or a URL link to the department secretary at lcappelli@ric.edu. Digital submissions must show sufficient detail in order to assess concept and design. Items that fold, booklets or 3-D artwork and design examples should include multiple views. Images should be no larger than 1000 pixels in height or width at 72 dpi. File formats must be PDF, JPEG, PNG or GIF.

For emails containing a PDF or emails containing cloud storage or URL links:

Email to: aaywas@ric.edu

Subject: Transfer Portfolio Submission

Please complete theTransfer Portfolio Form and include it with your transfer portfolio submission/s.

Page last updated: January 29, 2021