I heard the same thing... supposedly you have 30 seconds to impress... I'm a writer though, so I included concise descriptions of concepts, work and even two samples of fiction (placed last in portfolio). I think it depends on what schools you are applying, but I applied to some state schools, several ivies, and two art schools, and got into all of them. I can't say whether they read a damn word, but it surely didn't hurt. I had a wide variety of work. My background is probably pretty atypical for an MArch applicant. I would showcase anything that you think will make you stand out.

I'm assuming you are applying to an MArch2 program, but my MArch1 application portfolio was writing and photos only. Mainly stuff from architectural theory classes I had taken but also some fiction.

For each project I put into the portfolio, I added text from my sketchbooks and writings. At the end of my portfolio I had my thesis. I felt this was a very difinitive part of the portfolio, but it was indeed a lot of text. In the fourth draft/proof, I nixed it and inserted small excerpts throughout. It worked, I guess!

Definately add your thoughts, and describe each project. If you feel you can add a more lengthy writing (a few pages of text) without messing with the flow of the portfolio, then go ahead. But yes, very small time to impress whoever is looking at it, thus, no one will read it at first flip. But someone else down the line might. . . good luck!

NSJ--Did you get into your top chools with that?

Supposedly Princeton is very writing-oriented, since they have a reputation for putting out publishable grads.

five,

Well, due to family constraints and other factors I only applied to one school. I got in. It probably helped that the chair's background is primarily theory based.

If I hadn't I probably would have taken some studio classes to build a more traditional portfolio and applied again the next year. But I think I still would have included the writing as I feel it displays degree of capability in a critical tool for architects.

Chances are that it won't get read - at least not by more than one or two of the reviewers. Some schools review portfolios only as a group process, around a big table, and the chances of anything more than a few sentences long being read are not good. Other schools alternate the table review with time periods in which members of the admissions committee take home some a stack of portfolios to review on their own time, in which case they may get more concentrated attention though they don't always make the rounds of every committee member.
It's possible that the texts will be read, and also possible that they won't. Including them probably won't hurt you. However if the visual portfolio content is not enough to stand on its own then this will obviously create a problem in the case that your text does not get read.
Short bits of text (3 to 5 sentences) directly tied to visual content seem more likely to be read by reviewers than whole pages of independent text.

I got in to a pretty theory heavy school. I think that designer types tend to view text as texture in your graphic layout and will maybe read a few catch phrases if they are in 24pt. font and bright orange. On the other hand the history teacher here said that he just flipped through the drawings and read all the text so it depends on your audience.

Put a paragraph or two before each section and then wrote a bit to go with each project. Maybe just be sure to mix in a good amount of images and diagrams so that there is something for everyone on each page?

Skadden,

Are you referring to 1) papers you've written on a particular topic? Or 2) descriptions of projects, highlighting your theoretical approach?

My understanding is that if you're applying for a studio-based MArch program, it's the graphic work they will focus on, with very little attention paid to lengthy text. A brief, single-paragraph narrative every so often, summarizing each project, is the likeliest to be read, I'd think.

Overall, I don't think it will hurt you to include even lengthy text, even if it goes unread. BUT... if you are limited to a certain number of pages, images are the most important.

If, however, you're applying to a research-based program, where your output will tend to be written (such as a history-theory concentration), then you'd have to include at least one complete writing sample, such as a seminar paper.

it seems that some schools do ask for writing samples but this would be in addition to the written decriptions to your projects i assume which, i feel should be added, as it will allow the reviewers some basis if they chose to further scrutinize (sp?) your work. im not sure that they would find the time to read unsolicited written samples as im sure they have alot of applications to go through but it would not hurt to have it on the side.

Chances are if you are they type of person who would want to include writing, you are probably also the type that would put a great deal of effort into your statement of intent. Like NSJ, I had constraints that only allowed me to apply to one school, and I got in--someone on the board told me it was almost completely because of my statement. I also included 6 papers I had written. Most applications request a portfolio of "creative" work, rather than visual work. I consider my papers excellent examples of my creativity, and if a programs is unwilling to consider that, then I almost think that that programs is not for me.