Any advice on passing my portfolio review?

I'm a pre-design student hoping to enter officially into the College of Design. First, I need to compile the work I've done this past year and present it to a panel of judges. I really need to pass or this entire year has been wasted. Any advice on winning the judges over?Any advice on passing my portfolio review?
If they have a formal process for this at your school, they probably have a list of what they want to see and a procedure for it: for example, are you actually there presenting yourself and your work to them, or are you simply submitting the assembled work for this review? Obviously that would make a difference in your preparation.





Be organized. Probably they aren't expecting your work to be presented in a formal portfolio, but it still should be grouped neatly by class. If you aren't there during the review, you might neatly label the work with the course title and semester it was taken (although probably they'll know that from seeing the work itself.) Possibly use a large sheet of newsprint to create a slipsheet between each grouping of works and put your label information on that newsprint page.





You should bring the coursework and any process books or sketchbooks that show the development of your research and thinking. Even though this is for entrance into Design, show strong examples of your basic drawing/painting/etc. skills too, but if the media is messy (charcoal) make sure the works are fixed and are separated with a clean slip sheet to keep them from rubbing off onto your design projects.





Being neat in your presentation, which could be simply stacking works in an organized manner. Make sure the work is well crafted and not dusty or wrinkled or torn from being casually stored under your bed. Remove any attached grade sheets unless you are specifically told to submit them. Be neat and well dressed yourself, and be on time for your appointment.





Have you researched any of the leading designers in your specific field? Knowing a few facts about them would be good. Go to the library and check out a couple issues of the current leading publication for your field. What is being discussed about professional issues, people, new projects, important history? Being prepared with this information will show that you care enough to take initiative in expanding your studies beyond what is assigned in class.





Design is a great career field but it is very competitive. If you don't get in, ask for advice and guidance about alternative choices for related studies -- even though you'd obviously be disappointed, it might be for the best and lead you into an area where you can really shine. Or, if you are truly determined, ask if it is possible to retake one or more courses and resubmit your portfolio a second time. Obviously that would mean additional time in school, but sometimes you need that extra development and in the end you'd be much stronger for it. I guarantee faculty would not encourage you to make the commitment of retaking courses unless they thought you could reach their standards by doing so.





Prepare your work and yourself carefully and go in with a winning and enthusiastic attitude. Good luck!Any advice on passing my portfolio review?
First, express the passion that you feel for design, that will go a long way. Also, ask other people what they think of each piece, and to get a really good read on your stuff, ask people who aren't designers as well as established ones, then compare notes. Gosh, good luck, as an almost 10 year veteran of the design field, I wish you the best, you'll really love your choice of employment!
not that it matters specifically for you question, but what kind of design? i'm just curious. the only way to win judges over is to know your stuff. don't go in unprepared, and don't fake it. dress professionally but not completely over the top, and don't block any large visuals when you are standing in front of them to present. speak clearly and confidently, make eye contact, introduce yourself before you start, and ask for their names. if your project is good and your portfolio is well put together, your presentation will present itself, so to speak. if you can do all that, you're ahead of most of the people who graduated from my program (before you even get there!)