Lights! Camera! College! Video Essay Could Be Gateway to Admission

Video adds a personal touch to an often impersonal process

22 March 2010

Elsa Vande Vegte's video submission is a favorite of the GMU admissions staff.

Along with test scores, high school transcripts and carefully written essays, some college applicants are now making their case for admission on video. For the first time, a few U.S. universities are allowing students to submit video essays as part of the application process.

Elsa Vande Vegte lives in Minnesota but she really wanted to convince the admissions staff at George Mason University in Virginia that she was a perfect fit for the school. So she picked up her ukulele and - with the camera rolling - explained that she felt it was easier to express herself through music.

Then she launched into her original George Mason song, which included lyrics like, "Dear George Mason, I really love your school, if I were accepted I would follow all the rules," and "I know I'm making the right choice, it's where I'm supposed to be."

darkensiva, Flickr Creative CommonsGeorge Mason University in Virginia is one of a few US colleges that allows prospective students to include a homemade video with their application.

Vande Vegte says she found the experience of creating a video essay fun, but also challenging. She had to learn how to use a video camera and compose the lyrics.