Hi, I am interested in many top universities, and noticed that a figure skater made a youtube video for vassar, showing them her filmmaking skils +figure skating skills (she got in). Could I do something similar to this, and how would I write it into my college app? Also, would this be extremely unique and would the adcoms of ivy league schools be impressed?
Thanks so much!
I am trying to make up for my low GPA (my goal by junior year is a 3.6 UW, 4.10 W, 2300 SAT, and 7-8 APs)
Not very unique if you took the idea from someone else. 
Are you interested in filmmaking? What would you film?
@bodangles i am not interested in film making, but I am interested in figure skating and would like to show the adcoms my skill if it can impress them? I am almost qualified to be at a national level although I don’t wanna grow a big head haha
Some schools will look at your videotape, some will not. It will not really make a big difference in their accepting your. I do know a boy who was admitted to MIT because (a) he was qualified and (b) he was a tap dancer. No video, just written as part of his application. It might be a minor tilting factor i your favor or a gimmick that will turn some admissions people off. I think I would just mention it in my application and maybe even write an essay about it.
Dependent upon the schools to which you apply, you’re “critical, basic numbers” may – or may not – be within the applicable institution’s competitive range. If they are not, no amount of figure skating, film production, etc. will matter. There really is no substitute for the fundamental performance metrics.
You don’t have to make a video. Just mention it in your apps…possibly write your essay about figure skating.
Also, Vassar specifically has an optional video supplement (I think called “My Space” or something similar) as part of their application process. So this wasn’t something truly extra that the college didn’t ask for.
FWIW my D13 was a figure skater (regional finalist, passed her Senior test and took a gap year skating with Disney on Ice but nowhere near national level competitor). I am not sure that most people (or AdComs) truly understand the kind of commitment and athletic / performance skills that it takes to be a sectional/national level figure skater so if you are that accomplished, I second the idea of writing about figure skating in one of the essay opportunities. It shows drive for excellence, perseverance, etc. But also recognize that Harvard and Yale specifically have gotten some pretty strong figure skaters over the years (i.e. Olympians) so it won’t be terribly unique just another example of a strong and demanding EC.
Do you want to compete collegiately?
This is something possibly worth calling admissions about - I know for music, submissions may be evaluated by the school’s music department but not sure about how they would evaluate figure skating which is more like a sport. Either way, the bulk of the ‘EC points’ you’ll get for figure skating will come from your awards and the essay if you want to talk about it.
I would advise you to ask each school’s admission department directly about whether or not you can submit such a supplement and how you should go about doing so. I’m also in a performance sport, and I created a video (more focused on my sport performance than filmmaking though). Some schools didn’t take it, some had me submit it as an arts supplement, and some had me email it.
How competitive a skater are u?
@GMTplus7 hi, I have been skating for 10 years, 14 hrs a week, and at the highest level possible (senior), competed at least 15 competitions, and I will do 5 more this year. I also have a few awards from my own figure skating club and a handful of medals from local competitions. My triple jumps are starting to become a lot more stable, and I think I will be able to compete at sectionals this year (1 level ahead of regionals), maybe even nationals but i wouldn’t wanna grow a big head!
For those who don’t know, this is very accomplished (especially if you actually make it to sectionals at the senior level this coming season-- if you make sectionals you will be in the top 60 or skaters in the country right? FYI - only 12 skaters advance from sectionals to US nationals and the rest of the 24 person field is made up of seeded skaters who qualified from previous year’s results and/or intl competitions). Good luck to you!
I don’t think the video is necessary. If you have a high accomplishment you can list your awards or status. The admissions office is not in a position to evaluate your skating and they have no need to do that. I am in favor of keeping supplementary materials to the point so that the relevant ones you do send will be reviewed and that your application is focused and they will pay attention to that.