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Core Waiver Portfolio Review

Last updated on Jul 21, 2022

About Waiving Core Studio Courses

The Portfolio Review
In order for a Core Studio waiver to be granted, students are reviewed based on their formal portfolio, conceptual abilities, and communication skills. Be sure to present work that reflects the Student Learning Outcomes for each course you seek to have waived.

(Note: Students may require more images than originally provided in the application portfolio.)

Portfolio Review Deadline

All students, new first-year students and transfer students alike, are expected to finalize review and placement for their Core Studio requirements within their first semester.

Students are only eligible for a review during their first semester at CCA.

For further questions, please email firstyear@cca.edu.

No placement consideration occurs in later semesters. AP and IB waivers for Core Studio requirements are not automatic except for Drawing 1 (with a score of 3 or higher in AP Drawing). Students are reviewed based on their formal portfolio, conceptual abilities, and communication skills.

Note: It may be necessary to feature more images than originally provided in the application portfolio.


Portfolio Review: Possible Outcomes

  • 3 units of AP or college credit accepted for one Core Studio course
  • Core Studio course is waived (yet an additional 3-unit elective is required if no college credits exist to fill in for the required 3-unit course)
  • No Core Studio course waived: Determined during review due to fact student learning outcomes require additional development. (Faculty then guides student toward successful completion of the course.)

(Transfer students with equivalent coursework need not submit an additional portfolio.)


Portfolio Review Schedule

First-Year Portfolio Review

  • Core Portfolio Review only available online
  • Reviews must be completed during a student's first semester at CCA

Transfer Students and Second Degree Students

  • Transfer and second-degree students should submit their Core Portfolio Review online
    before June 11 to be registered in appropriate courses during the early registration process
  • Students who do not participate in the early registration process should submit their Core Portfolio Review online before August 1 to appropriately register in courses at the late registration session during Orientation

Fall 2022 Deadline
For Orientation Priority: August 22, 2022

Spring 2023 Deadline
For Spring 2023 Priority Registration: October 17, 2022
First-year and transfer student final deadline: January 9, 2023


Submission Instructions and Review Requirements

Below are the precise criteria for Core Studio portfolio submissions. CCA uses Vault, an online archive, to store and catalog work by students and faculty; you will be using Vault to submit your Core portfolio for review. It is highly recommended that you prepare your materials in a folder on your desktop before uploading to Vault.

How to Submit Your Portfolio

  1. Visit: https://vault.cca.edu
  2. Choose "Contribute" from the left hand sidebar
  3. Select "CORE Waiver Portfolio Review"
  4. Select the course(s) you'd like to waive, upload your images, and fill out any other required fields
  5. Save and Publish your submission
  6. The First Year Office will notify you of your results within 2-4 business days

Review Requirements

  • Each image file should be JPEG format
  • Each file should have the following naming convention: Last name_Title_Course abbreviation (D1, 2D,3D,4D) ex: Chung_figurestudy_D1.jpg
  • URL’s are recommended for 4D submissions
  • You will be prompted to provide a brief description (criteria) to accompany each piece, we recommend that you prepare this in advance before you upload your work. examples may include: title of work, medium, size, year, length of assignment, assignment type or personal project, explaining research or process for work

Drawing 1 (D1): View Learning Outcomes

10 examples of fully finished drawings and 5 process drawings (sketchbook & thumbnails)

Varied drawing material use on paper with both observational (model, landscape, or architectural) and non-observational (imagined concepts and stylized) works.

Principles: Perspective, value, form, and line.

2D: View Learning Outcomes

10 examples of work with 2D flat media other than drawing and 5 process pieces representing research and preparatory exercises (like value charts, diagrams). Examples include: collage, digital imaging and layout, painting, printmaking, textiles

At least 10 of the works should be analog and 3-5 should be digital

Principles: Composition, color theory, text/image relationship

3D: View Learning Outcomes

6 examples of finished works and 5 process pieces (like sketch models, mockettes). Examples of materials include: plaster, wood, fabric, cardboard planning, diagrammatic, and concept drawings

At least of 1 of the pieces must use wood

Principles: Scale (large and small), weight, site, and function.

4D: View Learning Outcomes

6 examples of finished work from some selection of video, audio, or web projects. Examples include: Collaboration, community works, and works that reflect media literacy

At least 2 different formats must be shown, URL links welcome

Principles: Narrative film, storyboards, structure and editing, website design, and conceptual function