Get Your Camera Out: All About Video Introductions
In the 2023-24 college application cycle, Duke University added something new to its application process and welcomed students to create a video through Glimpse. Their website now states that due to the high number of applicants the university receives, they are unable to offer every student an interview—the 60-90 second video, then, is meant to replace the college interview by offering students a chance to tell the school more about them. Duke is not alone in using Glimpse in their application process, though. Swarthmore, Middlebury, Colby, and many more colleges invite students to put a face to their application with this short introduction.
This isn’t surprising in today’s digital landscape, where high-school-aged students are accustomed to consuming bite-sized media via short videos on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels. Some students are even already familiar with the basics of outlining and editing short-form content. If you search for video introductions from schools like Brown and UChicago, both of which have included optional videos for years, you’ll see hundreds of excellent videos from past admissions cycles. These videos, though, are a bit different than Glimpse. While students can pre-record clips and edit their videos for Brown and UChicago, Glimpes videos are filmed in one take, although students get an infinite number of tries to get the right video.
Why Video Introductions Matter
While not explicitly required by all universities, omitting a video introduction could put applicants at a disadvantage. In general, when a college offers you to tell them more about yourself, you should take it—the more they know about you, the more reasons an admissions officer has to advocate for your acceptance. For submissions that can be pre-recorded and edited, highly stylized videos tend to resonate well with admissions officers, offering a polished portrayal of the candidate's personality and interests. When creating your video introduction, consider it as an additional opportunity to complement your application. Think of it as a personal narrative that adds depth to your written submissions. Showcase aspects of your personality and interests that may not be fully captured elsewhere in your application. Whether it's a passion project, a favorite hobby, or a reflective moment, let your authenticity and voice shine through.
To determine if your prospective colleges accept optional video submissions, consult the application requirements checklist on their website or review your application portal post-submission. While the submission process may vary across institutions, staying informed ensures you make the most of this unique opportunity to stand out.
When to Get Started
Every part of your college application should say something new about you, which is why putting together a cohesive application takes time and careful planning. Your video should not repeat everything already stated on the application. You can, of course, reference your accomplishments in supplemental essays or your video, but you want to make sure you’re doing this to say something they don’t already know—you might tell the school why you decided to partake in an activity, what you learned from it, or your personal connection to the activity. What matters, here, is your narrative and your personality.
We recommend students start planning their videos early. For videos you can edit, you can use the summer to record a variety of clips in different settings, compile clips you already have of yourself, craft a script, and determine the theme for the video. To get inspiration and see what your video can look like, you can watch example videos from admitted students on YouTube. For Glimpse videos, you will need to either memorize a script or know the main points you want to include, and it’s important to plan as much as possible to ensure your video is authentic! You can also take some time to consider different locations to film, including places that might reflect the content of your video.
What Makes a Good Video Introduction?
When working with students on their videos, we always emphasize the importance of comfort on screen. In our College Application Crash Course, we outline several strategies for every student’s comfort level in front of a camera. If you struggle to memorize a script, or if you sound different from your usual, friendly speaking voice when reciting something, you can always spend some time roughly outlining a few things you would like to emphasize about yourself and then speak from the heart. After all, no one knows you better than you know yourself.
