Statement of purpose
Upload your statement through MyStatus.
+ A 1,000-1,500 word essay that addresses your interest in the MLA I program
with respect to your academic and professional objectives, the factors that led
you to apply to the UTSOA, a situation or job that helped you define your
interest, your most substantial professional contribution and why you view it as
such, and/or any other factors related to your academic or professional
experience that you wish to convey to the admissions committee.
+ You may submit your ApplyTexas online application before finishing your
statement of purpose. You can later upload your statement through MyStatus.
Three letters of recommendation
Manage and track your letters through MyStatus.
Provide recommenders' emails as part of the ApplyTexas online
application.
+ Recommenders may include former instructors and professional employers.
+ Letters should include comments on the applicant’s intellectual,
communicative, and leadership abilities as well as his or her capacity for
creativity and relevant personal characteristics.
+ After you submit your application and pay your application fee,
notification emails will be sent to your recommenders. Any delay in submitting
your application or application fee will delay the notifications to your
recommenders.
Résumé or curriculum vitae
Upload through MyStatus.
Portfolio
Upload portfolio as a single pdf through the portfolio credential on
MyStatus.
The portfolio helps the reviewers determine your potential to perform
successfully in a studio based design curriculum.
In order to review each application fairly and accurately, the reviewing
committee requires evidence in one or more categories:
The level of creative skill you possess in any medium.
The extent of your interest in the proposed degree program, made evident
through your abilities in composition, physical form-making, or perception of
the environment.
Your ability to translate ideas into physical form, even if in simple terms
such as drawing.
FORMAT
Portfolios should be designed and formatted for on-screen viewing. Maximum
file size is 25 MB.
ATTRIBUTION
For each project, list the applicant’s name, the project’s date, and an
indication as to whether the project was academic, office-related, or personal.
In the case of collaborative or professional work, the contribution by the
applicant must be precisely described.
ORGANIZATION
The organization of the portfolio is a design exercise. It should be clear,
succinct, and thoughtfully composed to best reflect your interests and skills.
The quality of the work is of greater importance than quantity.
CONTENT
Provide work that demonstrates the ability to take an idea and adeptly convey
it visually. Include a wide range of drawings, such as landscapes, human
figures, and perspectives. Hand drawings, particularly gestural drawings, are
strongly encouraged.
Photographic or photo static reproductions must show work in the visual arts
or design that has been executed by the applicant. The work should include
examples of freehand drawings, and three-dimensional work executed by the
applicant. The committee place emphasis on drawing skills. Those applying for
advanced placement or for a second professional degree are expected to submit
examples of work demonstrating their ability to pursue study at an advanced
level
Applicants without backgrounds in landscape architecture are not expected to
show landscape architectural skills but rather creative, artistic or perceptive
skills through drawing, painting, or three-dimensional explorations (models). A
portfolio helps the reviewers associate your desire to enter graduate landscape
architecture school with your potential to perform successfully in a studio
based design curriculum. Photographs of landscapes (including travel
photographs) as examples of creative work are not acceptable except from studio
arts applicants with a major in photography.
Applicants with backgrounds in landscape architecture, architecture, or
environmental design are expected to present a high quality portfolio showing
well-developed graphic skills and a well-developed sense of design, space, form
and volume. Photographs of models help and should be used when possible. Show at
least three steps of design development in a specific project and your
progression/thought process. The committee assumes your portfolio and its format
represent your best abilities in design.