ARTIST AND STUDENT
As you can see there is a tremendous amount of art to produce in 9 months.
To produce this you must BE an artist. Not be an art student. Be an artist. Studio art is not like the other disciplines where you essentially are studying the craft of physics, math, music, etc. Creativity takes you out of the realm of a mere craftsperson that is learning the crafts of yesterday. You are an artist creating tomorrow.
Your portfolio should stress the craft of art. Design, drawing skill etc. This is because that is how you will be evaluated by the College boards.
Make sure that you do not forget that creating or deciding what to do is the essence of the artist. The design, drawing skills etc. are merely tools.
I advise you to create using traditional methods, but by all means create. Profound creativity cannot be denied.