The optional Arts Supplement is designed for students who have devoted considerable time and effort to the arts and wish to include their work as part of their Princeton application. Students who have achieved notable excellence in fields such as architecture, creative writing, dance, music, musical theater, theater, or visual arts are encouraged to submit an Arts Supplement to showcase their artistic talents.
Submission Guidelines
Princeton University values artistic excellence in various forms. However, evaluation is limited to areas where the university's faculty has specific expertise. Applicants should review the specific guidelines for each art form to ensure their supplementary materials meet the requirements.
Deadlines:
Single-Choice Early Action: Submit the Optional Arts Supplement by November 6 at 11:59 p.m. (local time).
Regular Decision: Submit the Optional Arts Supplement by January 8 at 11:59 p.m. (local time).
Transfer: Submit the Optional Arts Supplement by March 7 at 11:59 p.m. (local time).
Instructions:
On the Common or QuestBridge Application, indicate your intention to submit an Arts Supplement in Princeton’s member questions.
Access the link to submit the Optional Arts Supplement through the Princeton Applicant Status Portal.
Ensure your application is submitted to Princeton University before uploading your Optional Arts Supplement via the Princeton Applicant Status Portal.
Please note: For students participating in the QuestBridge College Match, the Optional Arts Supplement cannot be reviewed as part of the Match application due to the early review timeline.
Tips for Submitting the Optional Arts Supplement
Include a Résumé: Applicants are encouraged to upload a résumé to provide additional context about their training and experiences. This information will be reviewed exclusively by the arts faculty assessing the supplement, unless it is submitted alongside the main Princeton application.
No Changes After Submission: Once submitted, the Optional Arts Supplement cannot be modified. If you wish to include an arts letter of recommendation, ensure it is requested before submitting. An arts résumé can be included as one of the media uploads if desired.
One Submission Per Program: Only one Arts Supplement submission per program is accepted. The completed supplement will be reflected in the Princeton Applicant Status Portal within 24 hours.
Avoid Additional Documents: Do not upload extra academic materials or research papers with the Arts Supplement. These should be submitted through the additional information section of the application or via the Princeton Applicant Status Portal.
Submitting Additional Work: If you excel in an art form not covered by the supplement, you may still share how your talent could contribute to the Princeton community. Additional materials or links to your work can be included in the main application or through the
Princeton Applicant Portal. While there is no guarantee of review, these materials will be added to your application file.
Questions: For inquiries about the Optional Arts Supplement, please contact uaoffice@princeton.edu.
Acceptable Formats for Media Uploads
File Size: The system supports media files up to 5GB. Larger files may experience longer upload times and may be more prone to issues, especially with unstable or wireless internet connections.
Supported File Formats:
Video: .3g2, .3gp, .avi, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .mxf, .webm, .wmv
Audio: .aac, .m4a, .mka, .mp3, .oga, .ogg, .wav
Image: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, .tiff
Document: .doc, .docx, .odg, .odp, .odt, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .rtf, .wpd
External Media: Links to external platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud are acceptable. However, avoid uploading links to personal websites.
Visual Arts Submissions
Categories: Film, Digital Video and Animation, Graphic Design, Interdisciplinary (including Sound), Painting and Drawing, Photography, Sculpture
Submission Guidelines:
Include works that showcase creativity and experimentation rather than just stylistic consistency. Exploratory works, like sketchbook pages, are encouraged as they reveal the applicant’s visual thinking processes.
Focus on demonstrating the breadth, depth, and complexity of your work, regardless of whether you are self-taught or formally trained.
Test digital materials to ensure they are fully viewable before submission.
Categorization: If your portfolio includes work from multiple categories, select the category that is most representative of your work. If you are intentionally working across multiple categories, submit your portfolio under "Interdisciplinary."
Submission Guidelines for Art Categories
Graphic Design, Interdisciplinary, Painting and Drawing, Photography:
Portfolios may include 10-20 images of recent work.
For Painting and Drawing, it is recommended to include examples that demonstrate drawing from observation, if possible.
Film, Digital Video, and Animation:
Submit up to 10 minutes of video content. This can be from a single work or excerpts from multiple works.
Videos should be provided as links to YouTube or Vimeo, and must not be password-protected. Google Drive links will not be reviewed.
Include a Word document detailing the titles, running times, short descriptions, and your role in each production, along with the category (narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, or interdisciplinary).
FAQ
Can an optional arts supplement be submitted before the admission application?
No, you must submit your application for admission before you can access and submit the Optional Arts Supplement through the Princeton Applicant Status Portal.
Can an optional arts supplement or interview be submitted or scheduled if applying through the National College Match?
For applicants applying through the National College Match, the arts supplement and alumni interviews cannot be reviewed or scheduled during the Match application review process due to the early timeline. These will be considered for students who are reviewed in the Regular Decision process.
How can I confirm that my arts supplement has been received?
You can confirm that your arts supplement has been received by checking the Princeton Applicant Status Portal. The supplement will appear there within 24 hours of submission.
How can an arts letter of recommendation be submitted with an arts supplement?
To submit an arts letter of recommendation, applicants should request it on the "Your Portfolio" tab. An email request will be automatically sent to the designated recommender. This letter is optional and will be reviewed only by the arts faculty assessing the supplement, unless it is also submitted as an additional recommendation with the main application.
How can an optional arts supplement be submitted?
Indicate your intention to submit an optional Arts Supplement in the Princeton member questions section of the Common or QuestBridge Application. The link to submit the Arts Supplement will then be available through the Princeton Applicant Status Portal.
Can additional information, such as a CV, be submitted?
Yes, applicants are encouraged to include a résumé as part of their media uploads if it provides valuable context about their training and experiences. Information provided in the Optional Arts Supplement will be reviewed solely by the arts faculty, unless it is submitted as part of the additional information in the main application to Princeton.
Can multiple optional arts supplements be submitted?
Yes, you may submit multiple Optional Arts Supplements as long as they are for different programs. For instance, you can submit separate supplements for dance performance and choreography, but submitting two supplements for performance arts alone is not permitted.
What file types and sizes are accepted?
The system accepts media files up to 5GB in size. Larger files may face longer upload times and potential issues if the Internet connection is unstable. Accepted file formats include:
Video: .3g2, .3gp, .avi, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .mxf, .webm, .wmv
Audio: .aac, .m4a, .mka, .mp3, .oga, .ogg, .wav
Image: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, .tiff
Document: .doc, .docx, .odg, .odp, .odt, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .rtf, .wpd
External media from platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud can also be included.
What should I do if my file size exceeds the maximum limit?
If your file exceeds the size limit, consider reducing the file size according to the specific guidelines for your arts supplement type. You can also use external media platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud to host your content if necessary.
What if the supplemental material I want to share does not perfectly match the department's guidelines?
Princeton University appreciates diverse artistic talents, but faculty can only evaluate genres for which formal instruction is available on campus. Applicants should aim to follow the submission guidelines as closely as possible. If your material does not fit precisely within the guidelines, it may still be considered if it aligns with the overall artistic vision of your submission.
Who should I contact with questions about the arts supplement?
For inquiries about the Optional Arts Supplement, please reach out to the admissions office at uaoffice@princeton.edu or call 609-258-3060.
Source: Princeton University
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