<p>Yeah, but like people have already said, it's not a judge of your actual writing ability. They have other tests for that. It's for them to figure out who you are.</p>
<p>The SAT II in writing is A. Way too short to be meaningful B. Graded numerically. Shouldn't they be able to judge your writing talent on more than just statistics and numbers? </p>
<p>And I do think they should be able to figure out who you are. That's what I've been arguing for from the beginning. I just think that that can be done in other and better ways than an overpolished essay.</p>
<p>I understand that point, and perhaps a timed essay would better judge writing talent. However, what other ways do they have to judge who you are? You're suggesting they look at your entire history to figure that out. However, human beings are a diverse lot and they're not completely products of where they're from. It's hard to say what <em>would</em> be the best indicator but I think the essay would work better than a laundry list of your past.</p>
<p>And what would work even better than that is <em>both</em>. I'm not saying that colleges should just read your biography and that's it, I'm saying that they should be able to look at a candidate from as many angles as possible.</p>
<p>"Sure, why not have a video tape of the interview?"</p>
<p>Well, I actually have some reservations about that because then the idea of beauty might subconsciously come into play(more than the minor impact it probably makes with interviews). Not nitpicking, by the way. This is just a topic I like to read up on(Survival of the Prettiest is a recommended book by the way). If an officer were to see a videotape of an applicant, he/she would probably be biased by the appearance(beyond but including simply demeanor and clothes)-and unintentionally so! I'm not just saying oh if it's a hot girl than a male officer will let her in. Rather, people simply are biased by beauty-some away from it and some towards it(more people in this category, I believe).</p>
<p>Yeah you're right, I totally agree. It would be rather hard for them to be objective about a 700 pound applicant.</p>
<p>Chrysalis and BigBrother: On the other hand if it became part of the process maybe more people would participate in PE. Do you think how a person looks biases the interviews today? Would you hold them behind a screen?</p>
<p>An on line video essay could reduce the fraud that occurs with edited essays. It would also create a new industry of video lessons,...I can see the ad now. "Help us prepare you for your televised interview question, we will provide you with clothes, answer prompts and make up and hair tips."</p>
<p>Today's essay question does seem to favor the student who can afford the most support...either at school or through the admissions industry.</p>
<p>Well, I didn't mean actually in terms of being fat although that is one idea. I meant more in terms of natural beauty and I noted that the bias is already there for interviews and can't really be avoided. The bias will already affect many things such as the positions you get extracurricularly. But it's a part of life-and more second hand in the process(unless the application requires a picture, which some do). Being a knock-out academically and visually can help interviews and recommendations, etc. but at least the person making the choice doesn't see it. </p>
<p>Also, how would an online video essay reduce the fraud? You can still have essays edited before you read it for the video.</p>
<p>chrysalis - IF the online video essay was done live. </p>
<p>Maybe there will be a day when the SAT will include a live on line question in the room where you take the test on line so that you would get a grade on Written and spoken english.</p>
<p>Curious, Do you find the viewbooks and college postcards with clean lean happy students annoying? I know someone who decided against a school because the kids all looked like stepford students.</p>
<p>Not annoying, no. I wouldn't exactly expect a college postcard feauturing dirty fat unhappy students. I like clean lean happy students as long as they aren't snobby/stupid. </p>
<p>Well, in that case, can't there just be a voice record into a microphone rather than a video camera?</p>