Writing Portfolios

Your writing samples help us see your abilities, insight and potential as a writer at UArts.
 

Creative Writing Portfolio Requirements

Our Creative Writing program emphasizes the craft of writing, so all applicants are required to submit a portfolio of original written work. These materials help us understand your writing ability, insight, originality and range, as well as your potential.

  • The portfolio should include at least two different writing samples. 

  • Writings may include poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction and excerpts from short stories or novels. Applicants submitting poetry must also submit some prose. 

  • The total number of pages for all samples should not exceed 15 pages, double spaced. If your works are longer, excerpt the strongest portions.

  • In addition to written submissions, you may include audio or video recordings of your work, such as live readings or poetry slam performances.

Screenwriting Portfolio Requirements

The Screenwriting program emphasizes the art and craft of cinematic storytelling. Therefore, applicants are required to submit a portfolio of original written work that helps us gauge your abilities and potential. Your portfolio should demonstrate an aptitude for illustrating, through the written word, compelling characters, intriguing plots and dynamic visuals. We also encourage you to submit film and video projects in which your creative work is primary, i.e., you wrote and/or directed the piece.

  • The portfolio should include at least two different writing samples. 

  • You may submit screenplays, plays, novels or short stories. Screenplay submissions should be presented in screenplay format.

  • The total number of pages for both samples should not exceed 15 pages, double spaced. If your works are longer, excerpt the strongest portions.

  • If you submit a film in addition to the writing samples, be sure to upload a statement detailing your creative role and duties. Films should not exceed 12 minutes.

Submitting Your Writing Portfolio 

Your writing portfolio can be submitted at the same time you are completing your application or after submission via your applicant portal. Once you have added and labeled all documents and files, you’ll need to confirm your complete creative submission via the form in your applicant portal. 

Email admissions@uarts.edu if you need any support accessing your portfolio or labeling your images.

File Sizes and Types

We support media files as large as 5GB, but be advised that larger files will take longer to upload from your internet connection and might stall if you are on a wireless connection or one that cannot sustain a connection for the necessary period of time. Uploaded documents may contain no more than 75 pages. We support the following file formats.

  • Video: .3g2, .3gp, .avi, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .mxf, .webm, .wmv

  • Audio: .aac, .m4a, .mka, .mp3, .oga, .ogg, .wav

  • Slide: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, .tiff

  • Document: .doc, .docx, .odg, .odp, .odt, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .rtf, .wpd

  • Link: Students may upload a link to work hosted on Vimeo, YouTube, etc.