Our Portfolio Coaching Process

A Personalized Approach to Building College-Ready Art Portfolios

Every student is different - and so is every portfolio

Abstract red contour line drawing of multiple overlapping human faces on white background, evoking themes of identity, emotion, and crowd psychology.

Whether your teen is just getting started or refining a nearly finished body of work, our coaching process is tailored to their strengths, goals, timeline, and creative voice.

Surreal mixed media artwork featuring a high-heeled shoe crushing an eyeball-covered organic mass, blending graphite and ink textures to symbolize pressure, femininity, and distorted identity.
Colorful neon artwork titled "Fluorescent Future" featuring a surreal female portrait, vibrant textures, and color swatches against a psychedelic backdrop.

Step-by-Step:

What to Expect

1. Free Consultation & Planning

We begin by discussing your previous art and design experience and reviewing your work. Next we discuss your needs, goals, strengths, challenges, and desires for your creative, college and life dreams. In response, Nell will help you imagine possibilities for growth by showing images from her extensive library of successful portfolios that have secured admission and scholarships from top colleges for over 30 years. Together we define what success is for YOU: a fun, energizing creative journey that will open doors to the colleges and scholarships you want. From there, we outline a personalized coaching plan with clear milestones for building a strong, complete portfolio.

2. Session Scheduling

Coaching can take place:

  • In your home (NYC area only)

  • Remotely via Zoom

  • At our Tribeca Studio

Sessions are typically 60–90 minutes and can be booked as individual sessions or in discounted 10-session packages.

3. Typical 10-Session Package (can be easily expanded based on your needs and interests)

Session One: We get to work! Meetings will be scheduled based on the time and location that works best for you. This usually begins with drawing because that is an essential non-negotiable requirement for colleges.

If you hate drawing? No problem, this is often the case, and Dr. Daniel is an expert at helping you create an entirely new and different approach to drawing with short cuts for producing stunning, expressive and ‘real-looking’ drawings. 

In-between each meeting, Dr. Daniel provides a summary of the previous session, and sends you slideshows of techniques, concepts, and inspiring work that will energize the next session. 

Sessions 2-7: We build on the breakthroughs and opportunities from the previous sessions to produce more work in a variety of media while exploring concepts that are meaningful to you. Ideally, each portfolio piece should be a ‘marriage’ of technique and concept.

Your portfolio must ultimately represent breadth, depth, curious risk-taking, and sophistication. We will constantly reflect on our work together and respond to challenges and interests that emerge.

Session 8: We take a look at all your images and consider: Where might there be gaps? What areas invite more concentration? We will also review your other college application materials (essay, resume, supplements) to maximize the way that your portfolio supports and expands that story. 

Session 9: Curate and polish up the work, and maybe remake certain pieces? 

Session 10: Photograph, edit photos and submit each specially-curated portfolio to their respective college

We’ve helped students gain admission to:

Art & Design

  • Rhode Island School of Design 

  • Cooper Union

  • CalArts

  • Parsons School of Design

  • SAIC

  • MICA

  • Pratt Institute

  • FIT Fashion 

  • USC Roski

  • University of Miami Arts

Traditional Liberal Arts 

  • Brown 

  • Cornell 

  • MIT

  • Washington University in St. Louis

  • Stanford 

  • Yale

  • Wesleyan 

  • Northwestern 

  • Columbia

  • NYU

Our coaching blends mentorship with deep admissions experience, so students don’t just submit a portfolio - they stand out.

Portrait drawing of a person with sunglasses, short curly hair, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a backpack.

One-on-One

  • In-person / Remote / In-home

  • Individual or 10-pack

Charcoal drawing of a cluttered basement with shelves, tools, and various objects.

Small Group

  • Tribeca Studio (seasonal)

  • 4–6 students max

Frequently Asked Questions

  • It varies. Some students work with us for 2–3 months to complete and refine their portfolio, while others begin earlier—sometimes in sophomore or junior year—to build work over time. Most families start with a 10-session package and adjust based on needs and deadlines.

  • That’s completely fine—and very common. We’ll tailor the coaching plan around your teen’s academic schedule, creative bandwidth, and application deadlines. Whether you're months ahead or racing the clock, we adjust to meet your timeline.

  • Yes. Many students use a hybrid model: remote Zoom sessions for convenience, paired with in-person sessions at our Tribeca Studio (or in-home for NYC-based families). We’ll build a plan that matches your needs.

  • Absolutely. We provide support with artist statements, personal statements, and interview preparation—especially for programs that require written components or portfolio reviews. This is typically built into the later stages of coaching.

  • We work with a wide range of students: from highly experienced artists to beginners with passion but limited formal training. Whether your teen is applying to top-tier programs like RISD or exploring smaller art schools, we shape the process around their unique journey.

Ready to Get Started?

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your teen’s goals and creative direction.

Contact Us


Return to Services Overview