How to make an art portfolio for a college on my own?

Will I get accepted in an Art College even though my grades in the past years were horrible?

• So, I'm a junior in high school. It isn't until NOW that I realized...I really should stop slacking off. Let me give you some background: I repeated the 9th grade. HOWEVER, I got promoted to the 10th grade in the middle of the year. (taking online courses to make up everything) So, I am in the correct grade now. I am in 11th grade. But, my grades back then were horrible. D's, and F's. It isn't until NOW...the last couple of weeks of school where I start to realize I need to stop slacking off. I have pulled up my grades. But thats only for this quarter. The last couple of years, Freshman, Sophomore...were bad. And so was my junior year, except for these last couple of weeks. So my question is, would I get accepted to an Art College if they see how hard I worked these last weeks and during my senior year? Because my senior year, I'm making sure I get good grades. I'm also taking online classes this summer to make up whatever I need to. I already signed up for them and are getting them approved by my counsoler. I just want to go to my dream college. Which is Ringling College of Art and Design. I already have my portfolio, getting it all prepared and stuff. I'm working hard... But it's my grades from the past that is scaring me... So, what do you think?

• Answer:

  It is actually possible that you could get into Ringling. Make sure your portfolio is strong, and use an essay to tell your story - you blew it, you woke up, and then you started working. Let them know you are ready for college-level work, and you could well get in, if your portfolio is strong enough. Ringling is a good school. Good luck!