if it's your work and you think it looks to be of a grad portfolio level (not HS)- then include it! I didn't put the dates of any of my work on my grad application portfolios.

What's your undergrad major? If it's not architecture, I might. If the work is incredibly exceptional and compelling. But if your undergrad is in architecture, then no.

As someone who sat in an M.Arch admissions committee, if I came across work from high school, I would be confused.

Maybe just mention the "special circumstances" in your personal statement as an example of your character?

I put in pictures of the first house I designed...

well if you like it just say you did it in college, if you have to say anything at all. i don't think they're going to send magnum p.i. to check it out.

I've found that any work displaying the skills useful to pursuing a career in architecture is pertinent. I've got some work from my Sr. year of HS which I am going to include in my portfolio in October. I never realized how "architectural" or relevant any of that work was until I had completed 4 Studios. Looking back, I always had it in me, I just needed school to bring it out, and put a name on it. I have no shame in my work, and frankly I feel like some of my HS pieces are even better than my work from the first couple years of Architecture.

That said, I'm setting my portfolio up as a progression. I would like our admissions board to see my growth (although I don't plan on showing them anything I consider base level.)

Good luck, and keep us updated.

i appreciate all the quick responses!

my undergrad is not architecture. it's technically studio art, but it's a very loose program at a liberal arts college (so i've got that whole "breadth of knowledge" thing going on...right) that i've never felt is quite intensive enough.

i know WhatToDo mentioned not dating any of the work in his portfolio... is that a general consensus?

thanks!

absolutely margot. If its going to possibly hinder you to date it, then why bother? Best of luck to you in your academic pursuits. And don't be afraid to put your two cents in from now on. Its about time you quit lurking and started posting. :D

I dated my work, because I felt that my recent work was clearly the best, it was the work that people most often picked out as being the strongest, and that dating things could only help to lead reviewers through my progression as a designer.

But I certainly agree that if your work has stagnated, or the best work is the earliest, there's no reason that they need to know that. However, I'd be very careful including high school pieces. If there is anybody whose professional opinion on the subject you know personally, I would strongly urge you to consult with them about it. I know that I have a sentimental attachment to certain pieces that I've done that goes far beyond their actual quality as art, and I would just caution you to take every measure to make sure that it's an objective evaluation of the work, and not that sort of attachment, that's getting it in there. That's not said with any intention to doubt you personally, just my opinion of work done in high school in general.

I'm always a little confused about this "progression" obsession that architecture students seem to think is important. I don't think review boards look at that as much as they look at the overall quality and direction of the work. There's a lot more intriguing ways to organize a portfolio than personal progress (I mean, everyone gets better....that's pretty standard). SMLXL and Content are two examples that I can think of that push an agenda through their organization and layout very well but basically any architecture website you go to is organized into categories like "residential, commercial, educational, etc..." My advice, it doesn't matter when you did the work, put it in there and make it look like it's part of your overall interests.

brut - I think schools like to see at what level applicants will be coming to them. I'd say keep your funky layout ideas for your personal monologue - for applocations, keep it simple. There's a lot of portfolios to look at and the quality of the work will be much more important than the layout.

yeah, I agree it should show your level, but that's exactly my point. It should show the level you are at currently and not every level you've ever been at. what i'm trying to get at is a portfolio that showcases the work, and what it does, rather than where it or you have been (if that makes sense)

For what it's worth, the portfolio I used for grad school had stuff in it that was over 10 years old... I've since thrown most of that old stuff out, but it served me well enough for school. I think you should show whatever work best shows off your design identity and your skills, regardless of how dated they are. You certainly wouldn't have lost your design talent over time :)

Or at least I should hope I haven't lost it! :D

margot- if you don't mind me asking, where do you go to school?

Pomona College out in Claremont, CA