College Application Videos: What You Need to Know Now

With the rise of AI, college admissions officers are searching for new and inventive ways to make sure they are getting to know the “real” you. So, welcome to the world of optional application videos; the new frontier of college applications.

If these video requests have come as a surprise to you at the end of your application process, you’re not alone. It feels as though many colleges have slipped this “optional” application material in through the backdoor and it’s caught many applicants by surprise. Expect this surprise not to last too long, as we expect these videos will soon be a normal part of the application process, even possibly someday replacing essays as an evaluation tool.

So, let’s dig in to some frequently asked questions about College Application Videos

Which colleges are requesting optional college application videos?
A sample of colleges that are requesting “optional” videos as part of their application materials includes:

• Brown

• Duke

• Northwestern

• U Chicago

• Vanderbilt

• Wake Forest

• Wash U

• Middlebury (in lieu of an interview)

• Swarthmore (with a specific prompt to answer in 30 seconds. Scary? Yes.)

Can you send a video as part of your college application if it’s not requested?
In short, yes. 60–90 second videos, submitted as part of a college application give admissions officers a chance to see and hear from you directly. For some students this will feel like an opportunity. For others…an absolute nightmare. Either way, a short video can offer a window into your personality, offering a multidimensional perspective on who you are beyond grades and test scores.

What are Glimpse Videos?
There are several platforms that allow you to easily send videos as part of your application, the currently most prominent is Glimpse, from Initial Interview. Glimpse is even integrated into many college’s application portal, making the process seamless. Glimpse will limit your video to 90 seconds, restrict the use of any editing or production, and send it directly to the colleges of your choice. (Check out our blog on Glimpse Videos HERE!)

Do you have to use Glimpse to send college application videos?
It depends. Some schools will only accept Glimpse submissions. Others may only accept certain file types. All colleges are looking for something that is lacking in production and editing though. These videos are meant to show an unfiltered, authentic view of you.

Should I send a video as part of my college application?
This is a solid…maybe.

A short, impactful video can offer you a creative and authentic platform to dynamically introduce yourself to admissions. It can offer you a space to quickly showcase your personality, passion, unique story, or something you didn’t get to highlight in your application. On the other hand, if the idea of adding an optional video is your worst nightmare, don’t add another layer of angst to the stress sandwich that is already college admissions. At this point, this is really a personal decision.

Related Topics: Glimpse Video FAQs and Application Video Tips

Need help creating your college application video or deciding if you should send one? Contact Us for expert guidance!