Student portfolios are mainly aimed for allowing schools to have a deeper understanding of applicants. Students are required to make a student portfolio, for displaying their most outstanding academic results, skills and talents comprehensively. Furthermore, portfolios could help convey parents’ support towards their child, as well as their alignment with the school’s vision and mission. Thus, leaves a good impression before attending an admission interview.

Student portfolios should be designed according to the requirements of different schools. Some schools would require portfolios to be exquisitely made for showing their strong will to enter the school. However, it may be different for a number of prestigious schools. Since they receive large amounts of admission applications and student portfolios every year, they would hope to receive simple and clear student portfolios. Some schools may even impose a page limit. Hence, it is important for parents to plan the contents well to impress the target school while meeting their portfolio requirements. Schools may also adjust the requirements for student portfolios each year. Please pay extra attention to school guidelines.

Each school has their own unique vision and mission, as well as different admission requirements. If the school puts heavy emphasis on students’ extra-curricular activities, students are advised to focus on their experience and achievements on their extra-curricular activities in the portfolio. On the contrary, if the school puts more emphasis on students’ academic results, students should include more information about the student’s academic performance. This effectively conveys that the student is able to meet the school’s admission requirements.

Since each school has strict page limits on student portfolios, parents should make a wise choice on the contents to include, such as selecting competition experience that have reference value towards school admission. If students have won awards in competitions, then they must list them in their portfolios to highlight their strengths and talents. However, if the student has won numerous awards from various competitions, parents should only include competitions of high recognition and those that could exhibit unique talents of the student.

Parents could include information on a student’s experience in other aspects. If parents usually take care of children themselves, they are advised to include photos of parent-child activities, such as going on excursions, travelling abroad or participating in various workshops. Additionally, photos of students participating in experiential learning activities, such as participation in volunteer work and school events. It is important for parents to help the school recognize the student’s growth and development.

In fact, photos taken at studios usually give out an impression of being overdone and exaggerated. This would affect the school’s impression on the student. Thus, parents could take photos of students in their most natural form when they participate in different events, and when they receive awards. Besides, photos taken during family vacations could also be included to create the impression of a loving family.