What should be included in the "perfect" portfolio

[WTMindy]

I hear colleges talking about accepting portfolios from homeschoolers and I'm curious as to what all should be in one. I have a class of high school students and I want to help them put together portfolios, and wanted to get your thoughts. Here is what I have so far:

transcript
academic resume
course descriptions
letters of recommendation
honors or awards
at least one essay
community service hours record

[Kelley]

Extracurricular activites: Sports, Dance, etc...

Music lessons?

Kelley

[WTMindy]

Extracurricular activites: Sports, Dance, etc...

Music lessons?

Kelley

I think that would go on the academic resume that is an overview of all the extras that a kid has been involved with, but I'm going to have to research that a bit more. Definitely should be included, though! Thanks.

[Gwen in VA]

Quick question -- you mention putting letters of recommendaton in a portfolio.

All the colleges we looked at wanted the letters of rec to be mailed by the person writing it straight to the school. They also wanted the letters of rec to be done on their form.

What would these letters of rec be for? I think an "open" letter of rec may be somewhat suspect. Any other opinions?

[Kareni]

transcript
academic resume
course descriptions
letters of recommendation
honors or awards
community service hours record

All of the above items were a part of my daughter's application (in one way or another). A few schools did request a portfolio. Some of the things she included:

graded papers from outside classes
a quiz and lab report from a community college science class
Latin translation assignment from her AP Latin class
a picture of a page from a Latin picture book that she wrote and illustrated
photos of a couple of art pieces with the ribbons they won in the County fair

Regards,
Kareni

[WTMindy]

Quick question -- you mention putting letters of recommendaton in a portfolio.

All the colleges we looked at wanted the letters of rec to be mailed by the person writing it straight to the school. They also wanted the letters of rec to be done on their form.

What would these letters of rec be for? I think an "open" letter of rec may be somewhat suspect. Any other opinions?

Well, I would still have them fill out any paper work that the college had, but I'm just thinking of some character references.