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 we encourage students to take advantage of it as 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 to submit one and when it’s due, and tips for creating an authentic snapshot of yourself.
Which Schools Allow Video Submissions?
A number of 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 profile, on any topic, allowing schools to get to know you better, which 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 (90 seconds max) through Brown’s Applicant Portal OR you can send a 60- to 90-second video recording through the Glimpse portal. For the first option, Brown recommends that you prepare your video in advance so that you can submit as soon as you receive your Applicant Portal login credentials—so be sure to keep up with those applicant portal emails!
In addition, Brown provides a list of suggested prompts to inspire some talking points for your video, such as describing a meaningful family tradition or talking about a book or work of music or art that has had an impact on you. They also put together a presentation of 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 4 for ED and January 7 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 8 for Early Decision and January 16 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 have a couple options for submitting: you can upload a two-minute video to your UChicago applicant portal OR create a 60- to 90-second video using Glimpse. The video will be reviewed as part of your application (ED1/EA due November 6 and ED2/RD due January 8).
Wake Forest University invites applicants to schedule a virtual interview or submit an optional 2- to 3-minute self-recorded video that answers one of their three “conceptually provocative” prompts. As their website describes it, Wake Forest “is a relational place. We want to hear from students who can tell us about their education and their self-education.”
If you choose to submit a video profile, it must be uploaded to your applicant portal within five days of submitting your application (you will be emailed instructions to set up your account within 24 hours of sending in your application). The last day to submit a video is November 20 for ED1/EA and January 8 for ED2/RD. 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 “telling us about something important to you,” which can be submitted through their WashU Pathway account or through Glimpse. If you’re not sure what to talk about in your video, they offer a few suggested prompts on their website, including “What do you most want to experience at WashU?”—so if you choose to create a custom video to upload via your applicant portal, rather than sending a universally accepted video through Glimpse, this could be another opportunity to demonstrate your genuine in the interest in the school by mentioning specific things you are excited about at their school. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an email with login information for your WashU Pathway account within a few days, and the link to upload your optional video can be found below the Application Checklist in the WashU Pathway. The due date for these optional videos is January 9 for EDII/RD applicants.
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 28 for ED1 and January 20 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, uncluttered 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.
- If possible, prop your recording device (laptop, iPad, phone, or camera) on a secure surface so that you don’t have to hold it as you speak. This will help avoid shakiness in the video.
- Dress appropriately—not too casual and not too formal.
- Speak clearly and at a natural pace. 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
- Introduce yourself by stating your name and where you go to 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 (such as “If you could solve one problem happening in the world, what would it be, and why?”), and you are asked to respond to ONE of them in your video. Meanwhile Brown states on its website 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!
