Should I submit two videos (different in nature, one is a short film and the other is a video of an event) or should I just submit one? Also, would the admissions committee prefer a video file or a separate YouTube link to the video(s)?
Admissions Officers have about 12 minutes to read a student’s application, which includes looking over their transcript, course rigor and grades, looking at their test scores, extracurricular activities, reading the Common Application Personal Statement, Harvard’s required Supplemental Essay about an extracurricular activity, Harvard’s optional Supplemental Essay which many student’s submit, reading the guidance counselor’s Secondary School Report, two teacher recommendations and interview report. And then they have to make notes – all within that 12 minutes.
The more stuff you submit, the more there is a chance that an Admissions Officer will have to skim everything – meaning they will read the first paragraph and last paragraph of your essays and will do the same with each recommendation all while watching your videos. So, in the end an Admissions Office will get a watered down view of who you are.
So, submit accordingly. Are your two videos THAT necessary to your file that an Admissions officer should watch them while reading your recommendation letters and essays and still get whatever the videos are trying to convey? Is it that IMPORTANT to your file? Only you can answer that question.
What the above person posted is simply not true. If admissions decisions comes down between you and a few others for 1 spot, you can bet ALL of your materials are getting scrutinized. Again. Which includes all of your videos, which will be looked into with detail.
Submit everything you have (as long as it’s of high quality). Youtube links are appropriate.
Yale has some advice on this topic, which I imagine would also apply to Harvard. Please watch the video and then choose wisely : http://admissions.yale.edu/advice-putting-together-your-application#supplementary