Hi, all.
I’m a junior in high school and one of my favorite pastimes is filmmaking. I sorta picked it up in my freshman year of high school and always made films for fun, but since college admissions are approaching, I began taking it a bit more seriously in my junior year.
This year, I’ve filmed a segment for a Forbes documentary and some of my films have been selected to air at film festivals around the country (nothing huge though, just high school festivals). My films are mainly documentaries about issues I care about like environmental issues and such.
Would my work being published in a Forbes documentary and at film festivals be nice things to put on an application to a math & science school like MIT? If so, how much influence would you say it would have? Is it a unique thing to have?
Thank you in advance!
Would it be a nice thing to put on your application? Definitely! Your film making experience can really distinguish you from the other applicants. It also gives the admissions committee insight into what you are passionate about. It helps make you a more well-rounded individual.
Also, despite MIT being well-known as a math and science school, you can still apply your love of film making to your academic life. A few examples…
MIT Program in Art, Culture and Technology: http://act.mit.edu/
MIT Comparative Media Studies: https://cmsw.mit.edu/tag/filmmaking/
21L.011 The Film Experience
http://web.mit.edu/21L.011/www/
Best of luck in applying to MIT!
I like those ^^ ideas very much, and encourage you to go continue to do the things which move you deeply.
Such hobbies, interests and passions will always be part of the unique package you present, which help to diversify your application. Your inclusion in festivals and contribution to the Forbes production speak to the favorable reception of your work, and speak to your growing commitment as a young filmmaker.