When I was applying to college, everyone I consulted and everything I read said, “Don’t send a video! For the love of [deity], don’t send a video!” But that was more than ten years ago. Nowadays, are there circumstances under which someone would be required to send a video of something?
Back then, videos were discouraged because they could only score negative points. Sending one at all was seen as pretentious and I heard of some real doozies:
Applicant who got on the local news for something or other, and sent the entire news broadcast even though he was only on screen for 30 seconds. Applicant who sent video of herself striking model-girl poses, wearing silk blouses and slinking around to the Love Story theme. Applicant who told his life story from birth to age 17 in stop-motion animation. Applicant who sent video of her majorette squad performing: bad lighting, shaky camera, dropped catches, and worst of all, no ID of herself out of sixteen twirlers.
But would a college ever ask for a video, and if so, what would it have to portray?
I have no idea. I’ve never even heard of the concept of sending a video of yerself to a college, unless you were planning to go into the performing arts, and a video would be considered as a “portfolio.” Otherwise I have no clue.
AFAIK, it would be illegal for any college (other than performing arts) to request a video to be sent during the application process. It’s for the same reason you can’t be forced into sending a picture, so you are not discriminated against. As for why students would willingly send a video of themselves, I see no point. You are trying to get into college based on your merits and achievements, not on how good you are on getting on the local news.
Right, bouv, there was no point in sending those videos. Didn’t know it was illegal to ask, though! Interesting. Lunatic, that answers my question: performing arts, or arts in general, I suppose, if you were going to study film or painting or something.
I also heard about someone who sent the university’s crest in molded chocolate. I bet the admissions officers died laughing. Unless the applicant wanted to major in culinary arts!