<p>The Swarthmore optional question asks that we send in some piece of academic work that we are particularly proud of. Well, in AP US we had to do this Decades project, and one of the criteria was to make a video of the pop culture of your decade (using video clips etc). Since this was after the AP test, no one cared to put any effort into the video (seriously, some groups just put in a history channel video about their decade). I felt like actually putting work into it, and it became a labor of love. After spending well over 15 hours making this video (getting video clips, splicing some of them frame by frame, getting background music, etc), I made a video that I was pretty much in love with.</p>
<p>I was wondering if they would accept this for the optional question. It really isn't an essay or lab report, but it means a lot to me, and I'd love to send it. What do you think?</p>
<p>It's impossible to give you a definitive yes or no without know the totality of the application. However, I can't think of any reason not to send something like that. It would be best if it dovetails with some key interest communicated on the application: such as a particular interest in computer video production, etc.</p>
<p>The test my D used in deciding whether to send something was, "will sending this increase my chances of admission?"</p>
<p>I think you should send it. It is something different that will add to your self-presentation. In the worst-case scenario, they won't watch it, but sending it can't hurt you.</p>
<p>Yes. Swarthmore emphasizes on the application that the optional submission is indeed optional. My inclination would be to send something if it supports a key "selling point" of the application. I wouldn't just send something to send something.</p>