Anyone have any idea what to talk about in the video submission? I know that it’s up to me or whatever, but I have no idea where to start or what to do for it.
The video submissions are new for the 2018-2019 admissions cycle, so no one has been through it before. But like anything in admissions, its very difficult to predict what the Adcom is looking for. Suggest to just be yourself and portray a side of yourself that is not evident from the written portion of your application.
Keep in mind, as well, that the video submission is optional. You might consider skipping altogether unless you really believe that a video adds to - not just replicates - your application.
I’m wondering if this is like for some colleges where the interview is optional but if you choose not to ask for an interview, your chances plunge to something like 1%.
As a parent, I hate this video thing. An interview takes about an hour, and getting the video done may take forever with my perfectionist kid. And can it be just a sincere talking head kind of thing or will this be a strike against him compared with the creative-quirky videos other kids may do?
Not getting an interview at UChicago was never supposed to hurt your chances for admission. This video substitutes for that interview. From the guidelines, it appears to be a way to provide your voice to the application. They are emphasizing content over filming quality so I wouldn’t worry too much about making sure it’s “perfect” or even edited. In fact, you can’t edit an interview so why edit a video? That would be my thinking.
Here are the guidelines:
"If you would like to add your voice to your application, you have the option to submit a two-minute video introduction in lieu of the traditional college interview, which is not part of our application process. Your recording does not need to be extensively rehearsed or polished, and the video does not need to be edited.
We hope students find creative ways to share their voice and ideas, so we focus on content rather than filming quality when reviewing optional video profiles. For the purposes of our review, it is still impressive if a student is sharing important ideas and perspective on their specific potential for contribution to UChicago even if that video was filmed “selfie-style” on a phone. It is much less helpful if the video is professionally lit and edited, but contains little to no unique information about the student or their specific candidacy for UChicago. We encourage students to film in a quiet space that limits outside distractions (background noise, music, pet or sibling interference, etc). While it’s ok to rehearse your message a bit so that you feel confident and ready, it’s helpful for us to hear these spoken in your normal, conversational voice—memorizing a “script” or reading from prepared sheets/notecards may come appear as a less engaged and conversational experience.
You may record your video introduction using the platform of your choice, and then upload either a file of or link to the introduction into your Coalition Locker or UChicago Account. If there is any important information relevant to your candidacy you were unable to address elsewhere in the application, please share that information here."
https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply (click on “Optional Video Profile”)
@yucca10 - my son did not request an interview and was accepted without it. I would think since the video is also optional, as JBS stated, only consider it if it would add something to the application that is “missing” in the written portions.
I hate this video thing too.