I am having the same dilemma. I've asked someone who got in to risd last year, and they said they just submitted a traditional portfolio. I think it'll probably be best to call the school to understand exactly what they require.

thanks - I'm going to call and get some more details then. I will let you know what I find out.

Thats very odd nowadays. Mostm if not all, of the MFA and MArch programs Ive looked at specifically state that slides (35mm or other) are expressly forbidden and will not be reviewed... I would definitely ask if you can send them a regular bound portfolio.

I think those are the rules for other programs, not the architecture one. These instructions were under the general portfolio requirements and not the architecture specific page, if there is one.

you got to be kidding me, why would top school require portfolio in obsolete medium? are they all like 80 year old professors over there or something who hate advanced technology like the "internet" or even a CD-ROM or wait, what a about a printed ink portfolio, is it too advanced for them??

No, they sit in a giant circle and go through slides project by project. Discussing each individual applicant, their works and forming a group consensus on that individual.

Since most of the students who apply work in more "physical" "analog" mediums... photographs are usually the only way to capture sculpture, painting, drawings et cetera.

You know, other than actually sending in it.

did i miss something or doesn't the description say you can submit jpegs? if so what is the issue?

when i went to art school (very long time ago) i was required to submit a portfolio of slides. to be honest i had thought the practice would be dead by now. even the photographers we hire to shoot our projects are all digital. it does feel obsolete to me as mediums go. interesting that the past still lingers here and there...