I'm a little surprised that the college recruiters the OP's son has had contact with hadn't seen portfolios from other students before - the concept of a portfolio is widely encouraged in our school district starting in 9th grade (for all students, not just in GT) and is used by students here when applying to colleges and for scholarships. The elementary school (public) that my kids attended had the kids keeping a portfolio of their best work each school year starting in kindergarten, with the students selecting what work they chose to put in it (from each subject area).
My gut feeling (and it's nothing more than that!) is that a college recruiter and/or scholarship committee isn't going to really be interested in seeing much of anything before high school.
polarbear
