<p>This was new to me!</p>
<p>“The idea is part of an effort begun by the university in 2006 to evaluate aspects of applicants’ intelligence not reflected in SAT scores and grades.” What? </p>
<p>“Of this year’s 15,436 applicants to Tufts, more than 6 percent submitted a video.” Imagine being in Admissions & having to look at all these!!</p>
<p>I heard one of the Tufts Admissions administrators speak - they are seeking strong, innovative, creative and successful students from all walks of life. They find that their alternative assessments are fine predictors of success.</p>
<p>One more source of worry for applicants.</p>
<p>marite,
My son chose not to do this and didn’t even do the “optional” essay. He had already submitted 2 separate musical CD’s since he is quite proficient on two instruments, as well as a science abstract. After a while, enough is enough. We looked at a bunch of the videos during the “application season” and many of them were worthy of a “What were they thinking?” comment. Some of them are quite clever, of course, and look like they were quite time consuming.</p>
<p>Momof3sons.
I think it’s also ripe for getting people other than the applicant involved in the application process.
My S could demonstrate his prowess on the Rubik’s cube in less than one minute. I shudder to think how much time would have been consumed producing a video showing that!</p>
<p>I really like the idea. Especially because it is optional. But it gives creative, outgoing, students who’s stats look similar to every other applicant display what is special is about them. Something you can’t do on paper.</p>
<p>When I first read this thread and the comments, I was thinking that the whole idea is over the top and one more “competition” for the applicants that they don’t need.
But after watching the videos, I’ve changed my mind. It’s obvious that the kids who submitted these videos had fun doing it. I think it’s fine, and if Tufts is looking to add a creative contingent to their school, this might help them do that. </p>
<p>BTW, marite, the first video has a young man solving the Rubik’s cube on one side a split screen while playing a classical piece on the piano on the other. Very cool!</p>
<p>My daughter was an early adopter of this technique. Three years ago she uploaded a video of her theatre camp stand up comedy routine onto youtube. When my daughter called the admissions office of her top choice college, where some comedy writing courses are offered, she accidentally got to speak to the Director of Admissions. He remembered her name and told her he had enjoyed her video. She subsequently got admitted. So uploading a youtube video can be effective. But I would only advise using it when it provides specific additional information for the admissions office. Some of the Tufts videos on youtube did not seem to do that, in my opinion.</p>
<p>I think it’s a great idea - it was one of ten optional essay ideas - so no one was forced to do them. I was actually surprised in some ways that they weren’t more interesting or more clever.</p>
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<p>I thought so too, especially as it would play to my kids’ strengths. Until my kids pointed out that its just a matter of time before its not optional, and one probably has to do essays AND a video…then there will be professionals coaching digital film production. and firms willing to do it professional editing for you…and next thing you know just another piece of nonsense going into the already insane college admissions process that really doesn’t help students in anyway nor make it more fair.</p>