Bump as im also a struggling student going through the same stink.

Your portfolio is stronger than many. The only things I'd say are: I can't read the white-on-grey text at all.  Consider that you can't control on what sort of devices or at what size and resolution this will be reviewed, so you need to make anything that matters very readable (imagine the admissions committee is reviewing portfolios on their phones, on their train commutes.) Make sure to include your sketch/schematic design process for at least some projects - that's as important as the final images. 

Either don't mention your family circumstances and other past struggles at alll, or make it a part of your statement of purpose.  Unless you can do a truly compelling and original tale of overcoming that situation I'd lean toward don't mention it, because "hardship essays" have become so common they're a joke with admissions people. Don't make it a separate document - that will read like a statement of excuses. Your chances are probably pretty good for the tier of programs you say you're applying to.  

Thank you for the insight. I would rather not write about hardship at all, so I’m glad to hear that. I will reconsider text and info to make it actually legible. Telling a story through process and elegantly showing process is definitely something I need to work on.. thanks for your help!

I understand your struggle--I'm trying to put together an improved portfolio for grad school too.

I will try to keep comments brief--I second that your white on gray text must be improved since it is not legible as is. I also would recommend putting a resume in before your table of contents. It helps get a feel for who you are and "your voice" as you mentioned in your post. 

I appreciate that you're leaving white space and there's hierarchery to a lot of pages--your approach is good with text description, then process diagrams, then more developed renderings/sections. However, if you just have one image on a page, I have some concerns. If you plan on printing ever, the fold will pose a problem. I do believe some of your renderings need some sort of caption or one word description. I think you can definitely combine some one-page renderings together at the very least.

As far as hardship goes...if you focus your essays on your steps to improve rather than the obstacles you've faced, it will read better. You do a great job of describing how you've improved in your post--expand on that. 

Best of luck in the future! 

https://issuu.com/reedportland/docs/reed_selected_works_20_pages_201907

So, I went back to the drawing board based on legibility comments and came up with this style to improve legiblity. This is definitely half-cooked and needs some finessing/drawing work, but I hope this reads better?

I haven’t added resume or process to this yet, but did add a little bit more content.

Next go around I’m going to focus on process work, then content layout and then improving individual drawings within the portfolio. And then I’ll likely repeat that cycle until I’m ready to submit.

Please let me know what you think

I personally don't like the Resume within the portfolio from the above comment. I'm probably one of the few but i think it looks forced and is more like 'hey accept me, here's all the awards i got in school' rather than letting the work speak for itself. But just my opinion. When you go to submit your applications resumes if asked for, tend to be a separate upload links. Also when attending interviews for jobs and such I would reuse the portfolio I had printed. 99% of the time they wanted to keep the resume and would return my portfolio after viewing.

Some nitpicky comments I would use if it were my own...

I'm not sure about the cover, it seems random and doesn't draw me in because there isn't much design to it. Personally, i wouldn't list the school you are trying to get into on the cover, just stick to the information that already pertains to you. I also don't like the email on the cover, maybe move that to the back? 

The black line boxes you use on many pages commands the attention away from the projects. I wouldn't say to eliminate them if it follows a flow for you but maybe revise to be a little differently represented. 

A lot of your projects look pretty good, but i think the way you are presenting them here doesn't do them justice. All of your projects read the same way: you have basic simple diagrams and then renderings there's no drawings for in-between, I almost feel like there needs to be something else in there...

Real nitpicky: On the Altbox project you use the same little rendered diagram to show 3 different sides and the structure its a little redundant but doesn't tell me much. Putting four different views of the same thing in this case isn't helpful. 

I think this is good to start with. You definitely don't have the pages overloaded which is the best place to start. I almost feel like it lacks drawings though. Like pure line drawings from the computer with details. There's something about being able to understand an architecture work by looking at a line drawing with linewieghts. They are similar but they read more clearly than rendered objects which you have a lot of. 

Points to focus: Lacking context for your projects, color (i've seen some really good black and white ones but I feel like its not doing any favors. its like straddling the line of being BW but still hanging on to some muted colors.)( I would play around with it. Its not bad but it falls flat in a way i'm not sure I know how to fix... 

More Nitpicky :)  :take out the wall section, take out some of the text, more drawings. 

The best thing I like the most is your hand drawings. I would utilize those to your advantage. 

Good Luck! also kudos to you for posting it! I've always wanted to do it. to but never did!

Once big thing is showing too much is always not good, I would focus on the projects that are intriguing and going to sell you, not projects that are going to make a reviewer turn the page or shut the portfolio. Which that being said, project 1 is super intriguing and actually makes me want to look at it, same with your stone sculpture ( depending on schools your looking at, but this is super nice as far as a formal study, process, way of thinking working, etc....) i would start and end with these.

2.i would take out your professional work, use it as a selling point on your resume unless you think the school is interested in it, (im not 100% sure but i dont think Toubman would care). It only clutters the otherwise decent and interesting projects. 

3. Project 3 would focus on its geometry and formal aspects, (i.e how did you come up with the roof, ect (this project is also nice and simple and would keep in)

4. Project 2 is also nice but has conflicting ideas, first it starts as a interest in a part and then it goes into kind of boring/typical diagrams but then a nice formal rendering, i would try to clean up one of the typical pages and show an interior of an actual interesting space, not the hallway.

Humbled to see my portfolio inspires you! Best of luck!

which schools are you considering? 

Lol #triggered. You’re actually crazy