The short video introduction is a relatively new application supplement that has risen in popularity in recent years. This element of your college application is typically optional, but it can give the school additional insight into who you are as a person and student, rounding out the holistic admissions process.
Read on for details about several schools that offer the option for a video submission, information on how and when it’s due, and tips for creating an authentic snapshot of yourself.
Which Schools Allow Video Submissions?
Several highly selective schools are now giving students the option to submit a video as part of their application, in addition to or in place of a college interview. Some schools offer the option to upload these self-recorded videos through their individual applicant portals, while others take advantage of Glimpse by InitialView. Glimpse provides you with the option to record a 60-90 second video on any topic, allowing schools to get to know you better. The video is then submitted to the colleges of your choosing through the InitialView platform. If you are recording a Glimpse video, you can record one video on this platform and designate it to be sent to multiple schools – so be sure the content in your Glimpse video applies universally to all the schools you are submitting it to – and don’t include any school-specific references!
Brown University encourages applicants to submit a personal video introduction, as they have transitioned away from offering alumni interviews. There are a couple of ways to submit your video. You can send a self-recorded video (2 minutes max) through Brown’s Applicant Portal OR you can send a 60-90 second video recording through Glimpse. For the first option, Brown requests that you upload your video to their portal within one week of receiving the application acknowledgement email that contains your Applicant Portal login credentials—so be on the lookout for that email! Brown has a list of suggested prompts and tips from current Brown students about video introduction do’s and don’ts. In order for your video to be considered in the admissions process, it must be submitted by November 4th for ED and January 6th for RD (the deadlines are the same whether you are submitting it through the portal or Glimpse).
Duke University welcomes applicants to record a video using Glimpse, which must be submitted by November 6th for Early Decision and January 16th for Regular Decision. Some students are offered alumni interviews at Duke, but since this cannot be accommodated for all applicants, the video profile is a great alternative to share more about yourself with the admissions team.
The University of Chicago does not offer a traditional college interview, but instead allows students to submit a short video “if you would like to add your voice to your application.” Similar to Brown, you can upload a two-minute video to your UChicago Account or you create a 60-90 second video using Glimpse. The video will be reviewed as part of your application (ED1/EA due November 6th and ED2/RD due January 8th).
Wake Forest University invites applicants to schedule a virtual interview or submit an optional two-to-three minute self-recorded video that answers one of their three prompts. Wake Forest “is a relational place. We want to hear from students who can tell us about their education and their self-education.”
According to their website, “If you choose to request an interview or submit a video, you must do so within five days of submitting your application.” You must first submit your application before being sent instructions for uploading the video to the portal. The last day to submit a video is January 8th. For more tips, Wake Forest’s Admissions Office has this advice for creating a video.
Washington University in St. Louis wants to get to know applicants better through an optional 90-second video which can be submitted either through their WashU Pathway account or through Glimpse. Their instructions state, “Simply capture a quick video of yourself telling us about something important to you,” and they offer a list of potential topics to address. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an email with login information for your WashU Pathway account within a few days. The link to upload your optional video is below the Application Checklist in the WashU Pathway.
Bowdoin College has a highly unique process for their video supplements: Their application includes an optional two-minute video response which you cannot plan for in advance. Once you submit your application, the link to the optional video supplement will become available in your Bowdoin Application Portal. When you click the link, you will receive a randomly selected question, such as “Tell us how you would like to spend your birthday,” or “What’s the best thing that’s happened to you in the last year?” You have 30 seconds to think about your answer and then the recording begins. Bowdoin’s website states, “We’re not critiquing your conversational skills… We care about what makes you excited, what you experience in your day-to-day life, and the way in which you would normally express yourself!”
After you have completed your answer, you get the chance to review, but not edit or re-record, your first video response. If you aren’t satisfied with your first attempt upon review, you can choose to record a second video in response to a different question. If you choose to do this, however, it will permanently delete your first video and your second response video will automatically be submitted (there is no option to delete it).
The optional video response becomes available in late October once applicants are provided access to their Application Portal, and the deadlines are November 28th for ED and January 20th for ED2/RD.
Tips for Creating your Video
Presentation
- Select a quiet, indoor location where you can stand or sit in front of a clean, organized background.
- Find or create good lighting. Face a window (or whatever light source you are using). Make sure your face is visible (if your window/bright light is behind you, it will likely cause you to appear backlit, hiding your face in shadow).
- Minimize background noise. If you are home with parents, siblings, roommates, etc. ask them to keep volume to a minimum while you are recording.
- Be sure to look into the camera; try to position your camera, laptop, iPad, or phone so that the camera is at eye level. If using a phone or iPad, be sure to position it in landscape orientation to ensure a full screen image (not vertical video)
- Center yourself in the screen and check that the frame includes your whole face.
- Prop your recording device (laptop, iPad, phone, or camera) on a secure surface so that you are not holding it as you speak.
- Dress appropriately—not too casual and not too formal.
- Speak clearly. You want to be easily heard and seen.
- Watch your video before submitting it to make sure that you are happy with the result and ensure there were no technical glitches with the recording.
Content
- Begin by saying your name and high school.
- Make an outline of what you would like to say, but do not read from a script. Act natural and be conversational.
- Be creative in expressing your unique self, while also addressing how you will contribute to the school where you are applying. If you are recording a Glimpse video that will be submitted to multiple schools, make sure the phrasing you use is universally applicable. If you are recording a one-time video for a specific school, be sure to tailor your answer to that school and mention it by name.
- Check your colleges’ websites to see if they have any topics or questions they want you to address in your video. For example, Wake Forest provides a few specific prompts on their website, and you are asked to respond to ONE of them in your video; Brown says that the video response is “a helpful way to show us who you are and why you are interested in attending Brown” so it would be wise to address your reasons for applying to Brown in your video.
- Limit your video to the time specified by the college.
- Relax and have fun!
At Collegiate Gateway, we are well-versed in creating impressive and authentic college applications and supplemental materials. We help each college applicant to present their distinctive qualities through videos, interviews, resumes, and essays. Feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to help!
