Monthly Action Plan

05 Monthly Action Plan

Aiden, this calendar is designed for the months leading directly into application deadlines. The focus is on completing a strong fashion portfolio, preparing a competitive testing profile, and ensuring your creative process is clearly documented for admissions readers. Each step below prioritizes deliverables that can realistically strengthen your application this cycle.

Month Priority Actions Target Outcomes
July
  • Audit your current design work and sketches. Identify pieces that could become part of a final 8–12 piece fashion portfolio, ensuring a mix of concept sketches and finished garments.
  • Create a simple tracking system (folder or digital archive) to collect sketches, fabric samples, construction photos, and notes documenting your creative process.
  • Register for an upcoming SAT retake and begin a focused preparation schedule targeting improvement into the mid‑1300s range.
 A clear portfolio shortlist, organized documentation system, and confirmed SAT testing plan.
August
  • Advance production of your strongest portfolio pieces. Prioritize completing at least 3–4 finished garments alongside polished concept sketches that show design development.
  • Begin compiling visual documentation of your process (initial sketches → pattern development → garment construction). This material will support portfolio presentation.
  • Research regional or national youth fashion competitions and note submission deadlines that align with your completed designs.
 Portfolio pieces actively under development and a shortlist of competitions that accept high school designers.
September
  • Complete another group of portfolio pieces so that at least 6–8 strong designs are ready for photography or presentation.
  • Continue structured SAT preparation, focusing practice sessions on weaker sections identified through diagnostic testing.
  • Select competitions that best match your strongest designs and review submission requirements (images, descriptions, process statements).
 Majority of portfolio pieces completed and competition targets confirmed.
October
  • Finalize remaining portfolio designs, aiming for a polished collection of 8–12 pieces that demonstrate both conceptual thinking and finished construction.
  • Schedule professional-quality photography (or the best possible setup available) to document garments and sketches clearly for digital submission.
  • Take your SAT retake and ensure scores are sent to colleges if they improve your application.
 Full portfolio completed and photographed, with SAT retake completed.
November
  • Assemble your formal portfolio presentation: organize images, sketches, and process documentation so reviewers can see how each design evolved.
  • Submit applications aligned with your broader strategy (see earlier sections regarding Early Decision / Early Action timing).
  • Prepare and submit entries to selected youth fashion competitions using your strongest portfolio pieces.
 Applications submitted with a structured and visually coherent portfolio.
December
  • Review all submitted materials to ensure portfolio files, images, and descriptions uploaded correctly in each application portal.
  • Update your documentation archive with any additional sketches or process images created during final production.
  • If competition deadlines extend into winter, finalize and submit remaining entries.
 Clean and complete submission records with competitions underway.
January
  • Prepare any additional portfolio updates requested by colleges or art/design programs after application submission.
  • Maintain organized records of your design work in case programs request supplementary materials or interviews.
  • Continue refining your design documentation so your creative process remains clearly presented if additional review is requested.
 Portfolio ready for any follow‑up reviews, interviews, or supplemental submissions.

Because several parts of your profile were not provided (for example, your current design coursework, existing fashion projects, or previous competition experience), you should ensure that any relevant work from your high school classes or personal projects is incorporated into the portfolio review process above. If such work exists but has not yet been documented, photograph or scan it early in the timeline so it can be evaluated alongside your new pieces.

Throughout this calendar, treat the portfolio as the centerpiece of your application. Every step—from documenting sketches to completing garments—should help admissions reviewers quickly understand both your technical design skills and how your ideas develop from concept to finished piece.

Academic Profile Analysis →