<p>Carolyn, that's what I remembered too. :(</p>
<p>WildMom - I would try one, but be sure that it is a college that he is definitely interested in, that you know you can't visit and that is a definite probability. The college that she was most interested in - she watched almost all the video, and thought it was as helpful as the visits. My problem was that while I was ordering, I threw in a couple of schools that fit her parameters except the location was a little out of her range for looking, and I knew there was no other way of getting there. Once she knew where they were, she wasn't interested in looking - I'm donating them to the college counseling office.</p>
<p>We ordered about 20 Collegiate Choice videos, watched them all and greatly benefited from them, both before and after our visits. Yes, they are amateurish, repetitive, and excruciatingly dry. I think that was the point: they were meant to counter the slick, and obviously biased, promotional videos produced by the colleges. </p>
<p>Because of our situation (we live overseas) we needed to make a general list of colleges to visit. We knew our son would not have the opportunity for repeat or follow up visits so we had to evaluate wisely from afar. The CC videos really helped us get a feel for which colleges should be on the visit list. After our return home, we watched them again to help sort out the too-many-visit-haze and especially to help our son focus his ED choice. The funny thing is that our son really liked Williams (which he now attends) from the video. The impression, however, seemed so contrary to the stereotypes that we had of this school. The stereotypes were so strong in fact, that we almost didnt visit. The visit reinforced the impression that we got from the video.</p>
<p>We grew quite fond of the mysterious interview guy (like Mohammad, never pictured) and still often ask each other: will you have the same mailbox for all four years?</p>
<p>Momrath - I had a good giggle at that last line. After watching about 20 CC video's myself, I have found myself getting excited on the real college tours when they bring us past the mail boxes! My daughter told me on our last round of visits NOT to comment on the mailboxes out loud. :)</p>
<p>And how far is it from one end of campus to the other? Do you feel safe at night? </p>
<p>For those who have watched many, many CC videos, have you caught a glimpse of Jersey Guy's reflection in a window?</p>
<p>Oh, gosh yes. And, I think I've mentioned before about the "mystery lady" who accompanies him - she's got that awful square haircut and those square eye glasses.</p>
<p>Devastatingly, because of construction on campus, my son does NOT have the same mailbox this year as last year. A big X in the negative column.</p>
<p>And yes, unlike Dracula, Jersey guy does reflect!</p>
<p>Digmedia
I'm with you, this sounds like fun! While I was reading the first several posts, I was thinking, boy, I'd like to do that. If only I could videotape and get peoples heads and not my feet, the ceiling, etc. I can also take pictures off center and consistently cut off people on the end. It's a talent.</p>
<p>Do you think the reason the CC videos don't get students is because they would then have to get permission to show them? Or that they're not more professional because that would make them more artificial? I've meant to order them before but just haven't gotten to it, so my questions are pure speculation based on what I just read here.</p>
<p>dstark, are you going into the college advising biz? 20 videos!!</p>
<p>Hey, I'm a nut what can I say. I used to work out on a stairmaster and watch the tapes.
I really liked University of Arizona's, but I don't have Arizona State's. So I am going to have to rely on you for the ASU story.</p>
<p>I promised my wife I wouldn't buy anymore. :)</p>
<p>College video connoisseurs ought to send for the University of the South (Sewanee) DVD from that free lending library - you return videos but keep the dvd's. 10,000 acres of autumn leaves, shots of the crew team on a placid river while equestriennes jump their hunters in the grassy background...my son snickered at the academic gowns, but I'm ready to apply for a job there! It's also the only video with girls in pearls.</p>
<p>Girls in pearls don't do it for me. :)</p>
<p>A national organization that I'm in had one of their annual in Sewanee at the university. We all stayed in dorm rooms. We spent a week there and I don't remember being especially impressed by the campus. Of course it was summer, so there were no students. I'm trying hard to remember anything memorable about the place. The only thing I can think of was being able to easily break into the window of a (ground-level) dorm room of a friend so that we could play a practical joke.</p>
<p>where can i get a video of colgate university ? (i'm an international student so i hope they deliver to europe)</p>
<p>Try collegiatechoice.com Ena - they ship internationally for a fee and do have a Colgate tape.</p>