I love the idea of allowing videos. The point is for students to have a vehicle to express their individuality to these colleges.
However, if you are still stuck with writing the essay, and could use some help, check out this blog:
www.lagunawriter.wordpress.com.
It's not a commercial blog that sell pre-written essays. Instead, it's written by a journalist and English teacher to help students learn how to write compelling personal narratives, aka, these essays.
Hope this helps!
janine robinsonof CA10:15PM September 22, 2010
Just as I advise students who are looking to make their scholarship essays stand out, these videos are a great way for them to become more than just a name to college admissions reps. I think it's a great idea, but wonder if those students with tech savvy parents will have an edge over those without? Will expensive equipment and acting coaches become the new purchased essay? M.M., http://www.how2winscholarships.com
M. Matthewsof MI10:26PM July 14, 2010
I say definitely do a youtube video if you need to fill any holes in your application or want to elaborate on something already said on your application. Don't just do it to look cool-you might hurt your chances of getting into a school that way.
Sure, why not restrict students to written essays, easily plagarized, often written by "coaches", and limited to 500 words. To what degree is sentence structure the crucial factor in the admission decision? For sure we should preclude students from using anything that provides more indivduality, or provides evidence of their technical savvy or creativity beyond the bounds of traditional written statement. This will afford them more time to focus on crucial skills, like use of rotary phones. Fortunately, I doubt these computer things are just a fad.
In twenty years in admissions I have reviewed some wonderful, and far more truly awful, written essays. The handful of videos I have reviewed, however, have been thoughtful and insightful. I doubt video essays will degrade the process, and in fact it is reasonably possible that this medium may, just posisbly, not bring about the end of civilization as we know it. If I'm wrong, however, you can let me know. Just go ahead and tweet it.
LOL
Andrew Flagelof VA8:42AM March 24, 2010
Sure,why not have video applications for college as a replacement for a written essay,which would provide some evidence of the applicant's capacity for coherent thought and the ability to utilize proper sentence structure. After all,the persons reviewing these applications are probably from the last generation,who probably communicate in tweets or speak like cheap telegrams. Let's not burden them with actual reading. This will afford them more time to watch who gets voted off the island and other intellectual pursuits.
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janine robinson of CA 10:15PM September 22, 2010
M. Matthews of MI 10:26PM July 14, 2010
Alexis Avila of MA 1:43PM July 14, 2010
Andrew Flagel of VA 8:42AM March 24, 2010
Dan of NJ 6:59PM March 23, 2010