<p>I’m nowhere near this cynical. And I think that viewing this cynically as a marketing ploy is missing the point. From the video itself:</p>
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<p>This seems to really come from the heart, and a reflection of how much Yale students genuinely love their school. Even my dad (diehard Harvard fan) was really impressed by what this said about the school - its atmosphere of creativity, its involved and progressive administration…it simply seems like a place that has a real spirit and joie de vivre.</p>
<p>Starbuck11: Believe it or not, not everyone who is qualified will apply to Yale just because it’s there. Admissions officers <em>need</em> to market Yale if they want to garner the best class they can–and that means reaching out and showing people that Yale is not just about suits and pre-professionalism. [The nice thing about Yale? They didn’t have to lie (or even stretch the truth) in the admissions video to do so. IT REALLY IS THAT AWESOME.]</p>
<p>The best thing about applying to Yale is that it’s a no-loss game. If you get in, you get to go to Yale–if you don’t, you’re no worse off than when you started.</p>
<p>I didn’t mean for that to be cynical—it’s fine that they made the video. I’m just saying it kind of annoys me, personally, as someone who is applying.</p>
<p>As much as I enjoyed the video, I agree with your point, Starbuck. The title implies that there are a lot of students grappling with the decision to choose Yale over other schools and need persuading. In reality, they are singing to the choir for the most part. Perhaps the video should have been titled, “Why I love Yale.”</p>
<p>It was ESPECIALLY nice to see the gorgeous campus drenched in sunshine! It’s not AS pretty in winter :< (As in, it’s still pretty in winter, but it’s absolutely amazing in the warmer months!)</p>
<p>my husband went there…my oldest child did too…and now my other child is attending… I watched this video today and can’t help but think of how much Yale offers that just cannot be appreciated by any one person… there really is something for everyone… and not enough hours in the day… kudos to the team that made this video happen… job well done! I wish Yale would offer Parent Camp… a week of free classes…only the best classes, of course!!</p>
<p>So I very rarely leave the Harvard forum, but I saw this and had to comment.</p>
<p>It’s a bit of a risky move - the campy musical aspect could definitely alienate some potential applicants… but I think it’s a huge success overall (and so well done!). I’m glad Yale’s admissions office doesn’t take itself so seriously.</p>
<p>If the you tube links are not allowed, go to you tube and search
Project 24601
Project 24601 Beinecke Plaza
Darq Knight The Musical (Parts 1 through 8)</p>
<p>The first two I think go into the ‘flash mob’ category, MITers would call it an ‘elegant hack’, and theater majors would say ‘site-specific’. Eruptions of funny and raw creativity all over Yale!</p>