Lights, Camera, Admit Me: How Admissions Video Essays Are Reshaping the College Application Process

The college essay has long been a staple of admissions. But, as application numbers continue to rise, colleges are looking for ways to replace the interview with something more automated. Increasingly, their solution is to ask students to talk about themselves on camera via admissions video essays.

What are Admissions Video Essays?

Universities like Brown, Vanderbilt, Duke, and the University of Chicago, and some liberal arts colleges like Colby, Middlebury, and Swarthmore, are providing students with opportunities for short video introductions. Some use platforms like Glimpse, which limits videos to about 90 seconds and keeps production basic. Others allow more open-ended submissions, giving applicants room to get creative.

Admission teams say a video can capture voice, energy, and authenticity. A few seconds of spontaneous speech reveals personality in a way that even the best-written essay might not.

The Upsides

• Showcases personality: Video gives applicants who shine in conversation or performance a way to stand out.
• Quick and memorable: Short clips can leave a lasting impression without overwhelming admissions staff.
• Adds context: Students can explain unusual transcripts, life experiences, or gaps in a way that feels authentic.
• Accessible storytelling: For applicants less confident in formal writing, video can be a more natural way to communicate.
• Human connection: Admissions officers may feel more engaged when they see and hear the applicant directly.
• Flexibility for creativity: Applicants can highlight talents like music, acting, or public speaking in a dynamic format.

The Drawbacks

• Equity concerns: Students with access to better cameras, editing tools, or coaching may have an unfair edge.
• Bias risks: Appearance, speaking style, or background might unintentionally influence reviewers.
• Questionable predictive value: Being comfortable on camera doesn’t always mean a student will thrive academically.
• Performance pressure: Students uncomfortable on camera may feel extra stress that doesn’t reflect their abilities.
• Review fatigue: Admissions teams already stretched thin may struggle to fairly evaluate hundreds of videos.
•  Potential for overproduction: Highly polished videos could obscure genuine personality, favoring style over substance.

Striking a Balance

Experts, including ICC’s founder and CEO Mandee Heller Adler, who is quoted in September’s Washington Monthly on the topic of video submissions, recommend that colleges keep videos optional and provide clear guidelines, like simple backgrounds or limited editing, to reduce disparities. Some colleges are even testing spontaneous, recorded questions to discourage over-rehearsed performances and level the playing field.

What This Means for Applicants

If one or more of the colleges you’re applying to offers a video essay option, see it as a chance to show your authentic self and not as a Hollywood production. Speak clearly, be yourself, and remember that admissions officers are looking for real voices. Use the video to highlight aspects of your personality, experiences, or values that don’t fully come across in another part of your application. Keep it concise, stay on topic, and avoid over-editing. Authenticity is more powerful than a perfectly scripted performance. And, just as with the essays, it’s the content that matters most. The focus should be on what you say, not just how you say it.

Getting Started

If you search for “college application videos” on YouTube, you’ll find dozens of videos from successful applicants. Your ICC counselors can also guide you to videos that worked and provide personalized tips on how to create videos for maximum impact.

Colleges Offering Video Submissions

More schools are inviting applicants to submit short videos—some as optional supplements, others as part of the formal application. Here are a few colleges who accept video essays with a snapshot of what they request:

• Brown University – Offers an optional introduction video for applicants to share interests, experiences, and what makes them distinctive.
• Duke University – Allows optional video submissions within its portal for extra context about the applicant.
• Swarthmore College – Welcomes optional clips to reveal character and experiences.
• University of Chicago – Recommends an optional two-minute video for students to tell stories or share traits not covered elsewhere.
•  Vanderbilt University – Offers an optional “VU” video essay for applicants to spotlight their experiences.
• Washington University in St. Louis – Accepts an optional 90-second video for applicants to share something important to them.

Keep in mind that the colleges listed here don’t represent every school offering video submissions. To confirm whether the schools you are applying to accept optional videos, start by reviewing the application requirements and optional materials posted on each institution’s admissions website. After you’ve applied, make a habit of checking your application portals regularly. Many schools use these portals as the main place to upload optional materials, though the exact process can differ from college to college.

Tips for Filming a Stand-Out College Video Essay

1. Clarify Your Message First. Decide on one or two qualities or experiences you want to highlight. Keep every part of your video aligned with that theme.
2. Keep It Natural. Jot down bullet points, but don’t memorize a script word-for-word. Admissions officers value genuine conversation over rehearsed lines.
3. Prioritize Good Lighting and Sound. Record in a quiet, well-lit spot—natural light works best. Use a stable surface or tripod to avoid shaky footage.
4. Stay Within 60–90 Seconds. Short videos are more engaging and easier for reviewers to watch. Start strong with a hook in the first few seconds.
5. Show, Don’t Just Tell. Include a quick visual of you at a club, sport, or project if allowed—but keep the focus on your voice and personality.
6. Be Yourself
7. Don’t mimic what you think colleges want. Let your humor, warmth, or thoughtful side come through. Authenticity leaves the strongest impression.