All applicants, regardless of applicant type must submit a portfolio, which includes a statement of interest. The portfolio and statement of interest should be uploaded to SlideRoom, not to the ApplyTexas or the Common Application. Admission to the Hines College is competitive and selective. The college has many more applicants than seats available for incoming students each fall term. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply early. Admissions offers are released on a rolling basis. Once seats are filled, applicants who were not admitted are invited to reapply for a future term.

Applicants are encouraged to submit the portfolio when completing the ApplyTexas or Common Application, not after, to avoid admission review delays.

Given the Hines College of Architecture and Design’s competitive admissions process and the limited number of spots available for incoming students, a portfolio allows the admissions review committee to consider the applicant’s design abilities and potential. The statement of interest communicates the applicant’s interest in the field of design and gives the applicant an opportunity to share their ‘story’ with the review committee.

A successful portfolio should include the following materials:

• Statement of interest in your selected major (Architecture, Industrial Design, Environmental Design, or Interior Architecture):
  • Should be the first page of the portfolio
  • Must include your first and last name
  • Must include your UH student ID
  • Must include your email address
  • DO NOT include your Social Security Number
  • This statement of interest should expound on the following: Why are you interested in this major? What about this field inspires you? What would you like to do with this degree in the future? 

• Examples of your creative work:
  • Portfolios can include any form of design or creative works including, but not limited to drawings, sketches, paintings, photography, graphic design, architectural drawings/design, creative drawing, sculptures, ceramic work, musical performance, dance performance, etc.
  • Include between 8-10 examples of your work
  • Consider this portfolio a design project to be reviewed by the College of Architecture and Design Admissions Committee. We recommend that you think of this as your first professional creative review.

• Letters of Recommendation may be included as part of the portfolio submission. However, letters are not required.

The portfolio must be submitted as a PDF file. It cannot exceed 10MB.

Submitting Your Portfolio

Steps to submit a portfolio:

• Create an account and apply via SlideRoom.
• Upload your portfolio.
• Portfolios should be uploaded on or before the Hines College of Architecture and Design's February 1st priority deadline for the best chance of admission. Portfolios and applications are accepted until the University of Houston’s application deadline.