IvyWise On-Demand: A Look Inside STEM Colleges with Former Admissions Directors
Whether you’re firmly set on pursuing a STEM major in college or considering it as an option, this is a great opportunity to learn all about studying STEM at the undergraduate level and how to stand out when applying as a STEM student.
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By Katie, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor
For students who have spent countless hours coding apps, building robots, designing aeronautical models, or crafting engineering projects, the traditional college application doesn’t always do justice to their work. While essays and activities lists can provide context, there’s often no space to fully showcase hands-on projects. That’s where a STEM portfolio, also known as a maker portfolio, comes in.
What Is a STEM Portfolio?
A STEM portfolio is a curated collection of projects that showcase your hands-on technical skills, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and passion for building or creating. It’s particularly popular for STEM majors like engineering and computer science. Think of it as a specialized portfolio for technical and creative work, distinct from an art or design portfolio, though there can be overlap.
As a former Admission Officer at MIT, I was there when maker portfolios were first introduced, and it was a game-changing addition to how we evaluated applications. For the first time, we had a way to truly bring to life the incredible, multifaceted creations of talented young makers, builders, and innovators.
I do not come from a STEM background, but seeing students’ projects in action — like a mockup of a drone to drop supplies to hurricane flood zones or a low-cost, 3-D printed prosthetic for amputees — really demonstrated their STEM skills for me in a way that standard applications couldn’t. These projects weren’t just impressive, they told a story of creativity, resilience, and real-world problem solving that no essay or transcript could ever capture.
Many universities, such as MIT, Columbia, Caltech, and Tufts, offer maker portfolio submissions through platforms like SlideRoom. Others, including Brown and Harvard, allow you to submit supplementary materials that enhance your application. Even if a college doesn’t explicitly ask for a portfolio, students can still create a personal website to highlight their work.
Why Make a STEM Portfolio?
In many cases, a STEM portfolio is optional — not submitting one will not impact how your application is evaluated. However, if you have the option to submit one, it’s in your best interest to do so. A well-crafted STEM portfolio can:
- Showcase your technical skills: You’ve spent hours building, coding, and engineering — why let that effort stay hidden in a file on your computer? A portfolio brings those skills to life for admissions officers.
- Demonstrate initiative: Did you tinker with an AI model just for fun? Build a robot from spare parts in your garage? A portfolio lets you highlight your self-driven projects that showcase your STEM-focused passions.
- Enhance your application: Schools that allow maker portfolios give you a golden opportunity to stand out. Use it! This is your chance to show, not just tell, what you’re capable of.
- Provide a visual, interactive format: Some things just can’t be explained in a written application. A dynamic portfolio allows you to showcase your projects in action with photos, videos, and interactive elements.
What to Include in a STEM Portfolio
Your STEM portfolio should be curated with specific, well-chosen projects. Here is some guidance for what projects and information you should include to ensure your portfolio makes a good impression.
Strong Projects with Depth
Include projects that demonstrate creativity, technical expertise, and problem-solving skills. Some broad examples include:
- Software development: An app you built to solve a real-world problem or a video game you developed with unique mechanics.
- Engineering and robotics: A robotic arm you designed, a custom-built drone, or an invention that addresses a specific challenge.
- Computer science and AI Projects: A machine learning model you trained for data analysis or a coding project that automates a complex task.
- Aerospace/mechanical engineering: A wind turbine prototype, a structural model tested in simulations, or an aerospace design project.
Of course, the projects you include will be specific to your passions. You can include projects you worked on at school and/or independent projects, as long as they highlight your technical and creative skills.
A Personal Introduction
Include a short bio explaining your interests in STEM, what drives you, and where you see yourself in the future. It should be no more than a few sentences. Despite its brevity, let your passion shine through! This is another opportunity to give admissions officers a glimpse of your personality.
Project Documentation
Include information about each project to provide context. This is the type of information admissions officers will look for when reviewing your work:
- Project title and summary: Write a brief but compelling description of what you built and why.
- Technologies used: List programming languages, software, hardware, or tools involved.
- Process and challenges: Describe how you developed the project, the obstacles you faced, and how you overcame them.
- Results and impact: Include any performance metrics, real-world applications, or lessons learned.
- Visuals and media: Add photos, screenshots, diagrams, or videos that illustrate your work.
Optional: Recommendations and Collaborations
If you worked on projects in teams, highlight your contributions. Endorsements from mentors, teachers, or professionals can add credibility and further highlight your work ethic and skills.
Where and How to Build Your STEM Portfolio
There are two main ways to present your portfolio: official maker portfolios (for colleges that accept them) and personal websites (for broader use). Maker portfolios should be focused and selective, typically allowing only a handful of projects. Stick to the provided format, if applicable, and answer any required prompts carefully.
For schools that don’t explicitly request portfolios — or for personal branding — creating a personal website is a great option. Here are some recommended platforms:
- Notion: Simple, clean, and easy to update.
- Wix or Squarespace: More polished and customizable.
- GitHub Pages: Ideal for coding-heavy portfolios.
- Google Sites: A free, no-frills option.
Submitting Your Portfolio
Before submitting anything, check that the school accepts supplementary materials. For example, Carnegie Mellon explicitly states they do not want any supplemental content. If a school allows a maker portfolio, submit it through the official channel, like SlideRoom or the applicant portal. If not, you can still link your portfolio in the Additional Information section of the Common App or include it in supplemental essays (if relevant). There is no guarantee they will look at it, but it can only help.
5 Final Tips for a Strong Portfolio
To ensure your maker portfolio truly shines, here are some essential final tips that will help you present your work effectively and make a lasting impression.
- Be selective. Don’t flood your portfolio with every project you’ve ever touched. Highlight a few gems that truly showcase your skills and creativity.
- Make it easy to navigate. Admissions officers don’t have time to dig through a maze of links. Keep your layout clear and intuitive.
- Use engaging media. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a video of your robot actually working? Even better.
- Show growth and learning. If your first project was a clunky, barely functioning mess but you iterated and improved, show that process! Growth is just as important as the final product.
- Update regularly. A portfolio isn’t a one-and-done thing. Keep it fresh by adding new projects and refining existing ones.
For STEM students with a passion for hands-on projects, a well-organized portfolio can be a game-changer in the college application process. Whether you’re submitting an official maker portfolio or creating a personal site, a strong portfolio showcases your skills, creativity, and initiative beyond what other parts of your application can capture.
By carefully curating your best work, providing detailed documentation, and choosing the right platform, you can build a compelling portfolio that strengthens your college application and serves as a valuable tool for future opportunities.
Need more guidance? IvyWise can help! Our team of admissions counselors with STEM expertise can provide personalized advice on how to craft a stellar STEM portfolio that showcases your unique skills and talents in a way that will get you out of the no pile and into the maybe or yes pile. Contact us today!
