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Learning from the best college recruitment videos of the decade

College recruitment videos are one of the most powerful tools admissions teams have to connect with prospective students.

But with applicants inundated with video content online, colleges are going to need to get creative with marketing and recruitment campaigns this fall.

Looking back at some of the Kira Award for Best Higher Education Recruitment Videos, the best videos won because of good storytelling, authenticity, and emotional appeal.

Today, we’ll tap into the best college videos from the 2010s and look at what we can learn from the higher education recruitment videos of the decade.

Four tips to making great college recruitment videos

1. know your audience.

To start, we’ll go back to 2015’s Kira Award winner: University of Moncton .

When you try to appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one.

Understanding exactly who your audience is, and what they’re going through as they decide on their post-secondary plans amidst a pandemic, will be key to making an effective video.

University of Moncton designed this campaign from the ground up with students in mind and didn’t try to water down their message to make it work for every other stakeholder.

“Everybody has a great program, everybody has scholarships, if you keep saying that you’re not sticking out. And we wanted to stick out,” said Denis Boucher, University of Moncton’s Director of Recruitment in an interview with Kira .

The University of Moncton saw a 22% increase in applications following this campaign — a big victory for a small university.

Do: Talk to your students. Interview five of your applicants and students virtually to really get a clearer picture of what’s on their mind right now and what they want to hear from the university. Read forums like Reddit and social media channels. Your students are talking. Listening will help you make a great campaign.

Don’t: Make assumptions. Survey data and articles online are great, but they aren’t specific enough to your student body. This is the time to ask questions, test your hypotheses, and try something different.

2. Write from the heart

When thinking about video, it’s important to not let the script fall from top of mind. Between YouTubers and TikTokers continually making “off-the-cuff” creations that go viral, it can be tempting to “wing” your video script.

But having a script, and a story, will be critical to sending the right message.

No video shows us that more than 2018’s award-winning video from London Metropolitan University .

““The script is the heart of our video; it was written by someone who holds the University – and its mission – close to her heart,” explained the University’s Director of Marketing, Hasnai Benkacem in an interview with Kira .

For London Met, Benkacem said her team wanted to produce something that would be “a breath of fresh air in what is often quite a repetitive story.”

After we’ve heard “unpredictable, unprecedented, and unusual” uttered endlessly throughout the pandemic, you are faced with a similar challenge: How to stand out.

Getting to the core of your program’s mission and unique value propositions can help you cut through the noise this fall.

Do: Come back to what makes you special. Take a few steps back and look at why your school is special. What are your values? Your unique offerings? Who are the alumni that set the stage for your future students? Think about what it means to be in your community and build that into your video script.

Do: Be careful with your narrator selection. All of the work you do on writing a great script will be lost if the person saying the words can’t deliver it with passion and meaning. We aren’t all going to be able to perform on the same level as Andre, from London Met’s video, but we can all do our best to speak from the heart about the school we know and love.

3. Think differently about college recruitment video formats

Trying to film a compelling video in the pandemic isn’t easy. Between distancing limitations, closed campus buildings, and having to partner with external organizations for cast and crew, it can be a lot to take on.

The result has been a lot of schools publishing “talking head” webcam videos.

While better than nothing, it’s not the most compelling format.

Consider ways to use video that don’t require real-life participation

If you have existing B-roll or can create some, consider combining campus footage with updated messaging relevant to the times.

In 2018, the University of Birmingham displayed how much can be done by combining video footage with sound-editing and the animation of written words.

Although created pre-pandemic, you’ll find that actually only a few seconds of this 1:54 long video even shows more than two people in the same place.

University of Phoenix’s “We Can Do IT” proved that animated videos can be just as powerful as showing real people on campus.

https://youtu.be/2TTd2FmYr0g

In this tear-jerker, a working mother reinvents her career with an online IT degree from the University of Phoenix and is able to find success that supports her family.

Especially given the economic changes happening globally due to the virus, this video remains a powerful and timely inspiration. Read more about the University of Phoenix campaign in AdWeek .

Do: Think outside the box with video . Don’t feel limited to what you can do with your webcam. Tap into your student body. Talk to your colleagues. See if there’s something creative you can do that isn’t a “talking head on camera.”

Don’t: Ignore the pandemic.  At this point, we can’t pretend student recruitment won’t look a little different this year. Setting a campus expectation through videos of students hugging, studying in close proximity, and eating in crowded food courts isn’t going to land this year.

Consider how you can use footage to craft a different message that articulates to students that you understand they’re worried about not getting the campus experience they expect.

4. Focus on authenticity instead of elaborate production in college recruitment videos

Despite being one of the most notable institutions in the world, Oxford’s 2017 award-winner did not play up their big brand. Instead, the team used video as a way to make the institution more relatable to international students.

“We do try to have recruitment products, which are informative and represent the excellence of the University, but also put a friendlier, approachable face on our illustrious reputation. And humour is the best way to reduce the formality of our relationship with prospective students,” said Kathryn Whittington, Head of Graduate Recruitment and Communications for Graduate Admissions in an interview with Kira .

This experience is overwhelming and scary for students.

Many are frustrated about the uncertainty and the risk that they won’t get the ‘college experience’ they dreamed of. As they watch this year’s cohort wade into the unknown, next year’s applicants may already be putting up walls to keep them from getting too excited about any higher education experience.

Showing humanity, empathy, and friendliness to students through videos can help connect with students on a deeper level.

For Oxford, inserting jokes, awkward and relatable moments, reminded students that the university is full of a community of people just like them.

Do: Be a human. The most pandemic-proof recommendation of all is making your institution approachable to the students you’re hoping to attract. Even Oxford, the most illustrious of academic brands, has a target audience that it wants to appeal to in a personable and friendly way. Keep your audience in mind and talk directly to them. Human to human.

Don’t: Just jump onto the latest TikTok trend . As you think about how to be relatable and authentic, it may cross your mind that doing the latest TikTok dance will reel in the followers. It might.

But consider the bigger picture and the bigger story. Perhaps five seconds of your video involves your team attempting a TikTok, because that’s fun, but remember to tie everything back to the “why” of your school.

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Top 10 YouTubers With the Best Advice for College Applications

5 min read • november 18, 2021

Tips From the Best Youtubers for College Applications

Applying to college: the nail-biting process that high school students encounter sooner or later 😱As much as we wish our applications would fill out themselves, it is up to us to get those apps in on time. It can be hard to know where to start or even navigate parts of the application process. Here are 10 YouTubers to check out to help you through the college app process! Their channels collectively cover each part of the college application process, including choosing college essay topics, writing personal statements, and SAT/ACT testing. Get insider tips about the college admissions process and strategies on how to approach your essay and interviews. 

#1 SuperTutorTV 

Image Courtesy of SuperTutorTV

SuperTutorTV is a channel that posts a plethora of helpful resources for high school students and specializes in ACT/SAT and college application videos. They have videos that will help you not only decide what colleges to apply to and how, but they also have tips on what to include in your application and what admission officers look for in an applicant.

#2 College Essay Guy

Image Courtesy of YouTube

The College Essay Guy host, Ethan Sawyer, aids students in writing essays and prompt responses to help you rock your college app. Ethan Sawyer is a nationally recognized college essay expert and the author of the Amazon bestsellers College Essay Essentials and College Admission Essentials. Follow his videos to write an essay that will set you apart from the rest. Ethan is also partnering with Fiveable in our College program, where he will join us live! Learn more HERE . 

#3 CollegeAdvisor

CollegeAdvisor features students and former Admissions Officers from Ivy League and other top schools to guide students like you on the right path to college applications. You get the inside scoop from Ivy League students on how they navigated the college application process. They've got you covered for everything from standardized test prep to essay writing. This channel will also be beneficial for international students who are looking to apply to United States colleges and universities! 

#4 Rich Blazevich

Rich Blazevich is a content creator on YouTube with a playlist about College Admissions Tips. He takes questions that college admissions officers ask in interviews and provides you with different strategies to answer in a way that will blow your admissions officer away. He focuses on the top 5 questions asked in interviews and essays. With his videos, “Tell me why” questions will come easy, and you’ll be prepared for your college interview! 

#5 Team Lyqa

Coach Lyqa Maravilla is an online educator, a motivational speaker, and an author. Her #StudyHack series has useful information about college applications and interview tips. She also has productivity videos to help keep you going through the college application process. Her channel is also a great resource for ESOL students who are navigating the college application process. 

#6 The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review , famously known for its ACT/SAT preparation resources, has an amazing college process Learning Playlist covering everything from financial aid to nailing your essay. In “College Admission 101,” The Princeton Review’s Editor-in-Chief Rob Franek walks you through parts of the college process that have proven to be most difficult for students. Who better to get tips from than the experts?

#7 Keeping Up with Ken

Makenna Turner is a Computer Science major at Stanford University. Her channel is dedicated to sharing information for college applications, such as statistics needed for top colleges and the financial aid process. She also has content about her academic journey at Stanford. Makenna is also a 2020 Coke Scholar Scholarship recipient. She has numerous videos on the Coke Scholar selection process and strategies for securing other scholarships. 

#8 Federal Student Aid

Federal Student Aid has content dedicated to helping students navigate the financial aid process and secure funding for college. Paying for college is something that a lot of people struggle with. Walkthrough videos of the nation's most used financial aid resource will help make this part of the process easier. You can learn about different types of aid, how to apply for aid, and how to access your FAFSA account from the videos posted on this channel. 

#9 College Essay Advisors

College Essay Advisors gives tips for every step of the college essay writing process and covers other parts of the college application process. Their videos are short and easy to understand, and they’ve been in the college admissions game for 10+ years, so you can be sure you’re getting the inside scoop! 

#10 Dyllen Nellis

Dyllen Nellis is a content creator who makes videos about the college application process and writing an amazing essay that will make your application stand out. She works to empower students to discover their sense of self and communicate their personal values through well-crafted college essays.

College Application Tips: Conclusion

As scary as the college application process may be, these YouTubers create insanely helpful videos for students. Topics that cover every aspect of the college application process will guide you and help you put your best foot forward. These videos will guide you through the process and make it a little less scary.

Next: watch these top 10 Tiktoks for the college application process , read these best Tweets for college application tips , and view these top 15 Twitter threads for the best college advice! If Pinterest is more of your thing, check out these Pinterest Boards on the college process.

Happy watching! 🙌

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How to Make a Strong Video Supplement for College

The Covid-19 pandemic brought several changes to the college application process. One roadblock was that admissions representatives or alumni couldn’t interview students in person. 2020’s admissions cycle saw the emergence of a new component—the video supplement. Colleges such as Brown, Bowdoin, George Mason, Tufts, the University of Chicago, and Washington University in St. Louis introduced the option for students to upload a short video (typically two minutes) to showcase who they are. Many colleges have kept the video supplement as an option for their application package. If you’re wondering how to create a video that highlights your best self, we have provided some tips to help you get there.

Colleges may word the prompt for the video components differently, but there are similarities in what they’re looking for. Below are a couple of examples:

The video introduction gives you an opportunity to tell us more about yourself, in your voice, beyond the information you provided in your application. Sharing a two-minute personal video is a helpful way to show us who you are and why you are interested in attending Brown.

University of Chicago:

You have two options to submit a video introduction if you would like to add your voice to your application. You may upload a two-minute video directly through your UChicago Account or create a 60-90 second video using Glimpse by InitialView.

Both of these colleges ask for two-minute videos. Brown clarifies that this is helpful in showing who the student is, while UChicago has mentioned that the video would add “voice” to the student’s application. Brown adds that the video should highlight why you are interested in attending the university. These schools also go on to include format and guidelines that applicants should follow, such as landscape over portrait, where to upload, deadlines etc.

When working on your video supplement, a good place to start is to write down a loose script so you have a clear idea of what you will say and show in your video. This might seem obvious, but when working on your video, make sure it shows you. Colleges want to know who you are—don’t be afraid to show your personality in your video. Keep it authentic. Focus on where your genuine interests lie, how you spend your free time and what matters to you. Colleges appreciate students who can light up a room and make others smile, and the video supplement can also be an appropriate place to show your sense of humor.

Remember that admissions officers are also reading your activities list and personal statement. While it’s fine to talk about your favorite extracurricular or academic subject, remember not to repeat what you’ve already elaborated on in other parts of your application. The video supplement, just like school-specific supplemental essays, demonstrates how you would contribute to campus and where you would fit in the community. Consider your role in your current commitments. How would your friends describe you? What is something surprising about you? If you have an unusual talent or hobby, this is a great place to convey more information.

A few different scenes or settings can also help make your video more interesting. While Brown asks that you initially face the camera and introduce yourself with your name and school, you don’t have to talk to the camera throughout the entire video. Add footage of performances, sports games, family trips—anything that shows you in your element and the parts of your life that hold the most significance.

Admissions officers know you’re not a professional director and aren’t expecting a huge production. There’s no need to go out of your way to use advanced editing software. Focus on the content. A video shot on an iPhone is perfectly fine as long as the video conveys who you are.

While you should mention why you’re interested in a school—especially if the prompt has asked for it—don’t make it the main topic of your video–save that for your supplemental essays, especially if the school asks for a “ why this college ” essay. Your video should instead paint a picture of what makes you a unique candidate and provide the viewer with a clear picture of how you would contribute to the college. So, grab a pen and start brainstorming your script!

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Articles & Advice > College Admission > Blog

Why It's Smart to Include a Video With Your College Applications

Video applications are a growing trend in college admission. Consider this smart and creative medium for a better chance to get into your dream school!

by Ashley Lipman Content Marketing Specialist

Last Updated: Jan 30, 2024

Originally Posted: Dec 19, 2022

While written applications are still the norm in college admission, many schools are open to supplemental videos or essays. Videos are an engaging visual medium and a powerful way to stand out from other applicants to get into your school of choice. If you see the option to include a video submission, you should seize the opportunity. Here are some compelling reasons why it’s smart to use video in your college applications and how to do it well.

You’ll make a personal connection

There's something to be said for physically seeing another person, even in a pre-recorded video. Being able to see you rather than just reading text will spark a human connection with admission officers. Online disinhibition is a perfect example of the psychology behind this; people often feel more comfortable and safer being rude or sharing things online than they would in person. This is caused by anonymity and a lack of nonverbal cues. While your application essay may strike interest or an emotional connection, it will be more powerful if delivered personally via video.

It’s ideal for strong speakers

Some students are excellent at writing compelling stories with great structure, proper grammar, and a natural flow of thoughts from intro to conclusion. However, many struggle with putting thoughts on paper but excel at verbally telling engrossing stories with emotion, inflection, and tone. If you're better at orating your thoughts and telling interesting stories, video applications are for you. Play to your strengths to increase your chances of admission.

It increases attention and engagement

The college application review process is taxing with a lot of text and reading. Staying attentive can be challenging for admission committees after a certain point—you could be at the end of the pile when an admission rep is burnt out on reviewing. Video content breaks up the monotony and uses audio and visual stimulation to capture the viewer's attention and interest. As application videos aren't yet the norm and still offer novelty, this is a smart and unique way to stand out with your application.

Related: What Do Admission Counselors Look for in College Applications?

Best practices for creating an application video

Creating an application video that resonates with admission officers requires a lot of planning, care, and quality. Consider these best practices when making your application video.

Cater to the college

Craft your videos to appeal to the guidelines and culture of the college. Some institutions will prefer a more formal, interview-style approach, while others will like to see your creativity. For instance, a prospective Art student could create a reverse video showcasing a finished piece becoming a blank page with a voiceover highlighting the opportunity to start fresh and explore their potential. A student with aspirations in Business, Marketing, and Advertising could create a commercial selling themselves as the product. But it's essential to follow directions. If you're applying to a prestigious program, stick to the basics. Also remember to answer all questions asked on the application.

Choose the right surroundings

Film your video against a neutral background with even lighting so it’s visually pleasing but not distracting. The focus should be on you. Set up in a quiet space with minimal background noise and distractions so you can focus on what you’re saying. If you're recording outdoors or moving around, consider using a Bluetooth mic for better audio quality.

Write a script

Outline what you want to say and practice it in the mirror multiple times before recording. The goal isn't to read a script exactly, as that will come off as inauthentic, but to feel confident and organized as you speak. Ultimately, you should watch your video back and feel as though you said everything you needed to say while appearing genuine and passionate about the school you’re applying to.

Related: How to Make a College Application Video That Will Impress

Unless a college explicitly states they require a written essay or don't accept video submissions, it's worth considering this creative medium. You’ll stand out from the rest of the paper applications and showcase yourself fully as a great student and asset to the school. Follow the college guidelines and present your best self to succeed.

Want more college application guidance? Check out our entire collection of college application articles and blogs !

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What are Admissions Videos and Should I Make One?

Written by Gabbi Tobias on October 4th, 2022

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Work one-on-one with a mentor from a top research institution to develop a college-level research project.

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Top 25 Higher Education YouTube Channels

Thanks to the advent of video streaming, college students now have global, 24/7 access to countless multimedia learning opportunities. YouTube, in particular, is rich with higher education content aimed at supporting you in your journey through college, grad school, and beyond.

Thanks to the advent of video streaming, college students now have global, 24/7 access to countless multimedia learning opportunities. YouTube , in particular, is rich with higher education content aimed at supporting you in your journey through college, grad school, and beyond.

But with so much content to choose from, which are the very best YouTube channels for students? Lucky for you, we’ve done the research so we can save you the legwork. Whether you’re a first-year college entrant, a seasoned grad student, or an adult learner preparing for a return to the academy, these YouTube channels will help you navigate the world of higher education with ease. From academic disciplines, to college life, to study skills, it seems there’s an excellent YouTube channel out there for every aspect of your higher education journey.

If your prefer your support resources in written form, rather than streaming video, check out our look at the The 10 Best Higher Education Websites .

Otherwise, read on for a look at the Top 25 YouTube channels for higher education...

And beyond the tremendous wealth of resources highlighted in the list above, we also have a ton of comprehensive study guides, study tips, and study starters right here at Academic Influence.

See all kinds of tips, tricks and hacks for surviving your college experience with a look at our Blog .

See our Resources Guide for much more on studying, starting your job search, and more.

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Higher Ed Marketing Videos that Deliver: 8 Types with Examples

Colleges and universities invest budget every year on marketing videos for testimonials, the website, campaigns, social media posts, and advertisements. But how certain are they that these videos actually appeal to their targeted marketing personas? Based on user research, we break down the 8 main categories of higher ed marketing videos and provide the best video examples from colleges and universities.  

Videos have always been an important part of your marketing toolkit, but with the upheaval of the COVID-19 Pandemic, they are now more important than ever. 

Because of the pandemic, fewer prospective students are able to tour the campuses they are considering. While videos are not a complete substitute for the in-person experience of a tour or counseling session, they are the most effective tools you can use to communicate your mission and brand. 

Pandemic Impact

Studies have indicated that in general online creator-driven streaming video content is up significantly since the beginning of the pandemic. (Creator-driven includes influencers and vloggers.)  YouTube  continues to be the most popular channel. Consumers are also more likely to watch long-format content (longer than 20 minutes) than they were six months ago. 

Source: Google/Bain, U.S. Streaming Video Consumer Survey

It’s obvious that the videos colleges and universities produce to promote their schools are now more important than ever. 

8 Types of Higher Ed Marketing Videos

The videos colleges and universities use to promote their marketing efforts fall primarily into the following categories:

Ambient Hero Videos 

Brand Anthems

Brand Advertisements

Events / Celebrations 

Testimonials - Student, Alumni, Faculty

Day in the Life 

Campus Tours / Organizational Overviews

Pandemic / News Announcements

Important Note 

Other videos colleges may produce — presidential addresses, lectures, instructional guides, straight news features, etc. — are usually news items or admissions and/or academic support pieces and not regarded primarily as marketing materials. Also excluded from the categorization is the subset of news videos announcing COVID-19 policies. The pandemic videos discussed here were produced primarily as marketing materials for prospective students. 

1. Ambient Hero Videos

Ambient hero videos appear primarily in the  hero/marquee area of a school’s homepage . They establish the school’s  personality  and set the tone and expectations for what they will learn as they explore the school further.  

Characteristics:

Hero videos usually launch automatically as the homepage or landing page is accessed.

Audio is silent - occasionally a speaker/audio button is provided to trigger any accompanying audio track.

Mobile interfaces sometimes swap these videos for static graphics.

Drone shots of the campus are common.

Quick cadence with limited text overlays keep these fast-paced and exciting.

Provide an overview of campus life in less than 30 seconds.

Because these are so ubiquitous, they are seldom remembered or commented on during ethnographic interviews by students after they have seen them. However, they play an important  subliminal  role in the formation of students’ perceptions of a school.

Example Video

Alfred University’s  ambient hero video * consistently tests well. It is fast-paced and provides a view of the campus, student life, teacher/student relationships, traditions, cultural events, learning environment, and key academic programs. The camera moves fluidly with subtle dissolves between shots.

*Hero video may be substituted for a news brief.

2. Brand Anthem Videos

A school’s  brand pillars  and  mission  are often conveyed in a brand anthem. These videos often feature straight-forward, direct communication from a  narrator with an authoritative voice . They demonstrate the quality of the campus, student life, graduate outcomes, and student/faculty interactions. Cinematically, they show the school’s  mission in action .  

Concise, action-driven language from the school’s mission is often used and informs the narrative structure of the video. Platitudes and buzzwords are commonplace.

On-screen supportive text is often included to emphasize key brand pillars.

Mix of campus shots, learning environments, student life, teacher/student interactions, campus events, school history, famous alums,  outcomes , and student demonstrations. 

Tone is often authoritative, but friendly — serious, but optimistic.

Drone footage of the campus is common. 

Videos often begin at sunrise and end at sunset — as though recounting a day on the campus. This approach is so ubiquitous it has become rather cliche. 

“That’s Berkeley”  -  The University of California Berkeley’s brand anthem is a good example of how to show a school’s mission, history, and brand pillars in action. Most importantly, it  conveys diversity and inclusion naturally , and shows examples of social activism in a positive way without mentioning it in the narrative voice over. It  shows  more than it  tells .

3. Brand Advertisements

Brand advertisements are designed to trigger a  positive emotional response  to some aspect of the school’s brand by using advertising techniques. They rely more heavily on  gimmicks  and  storytelling  than brand anthems.   Special effects  and ear-grabbing  soundtracks  are often used. 

To succeed, this type of video must have an  incredibly appealing hook  that draws the viewer in, keeps them riveted, and makes them excited about the school. The gimmick to grab the viewer’s attention  must not offend viewers  who don’t respond positively to the approach.

Characteristics

Brand advertisements try to capitalize on popular social trends in telling the brand story. These often include video formats — music videos or narratives that reference popular movies, music, or books. 

Most of these attempt to convey how unique the school is by presenting it in a unique way. 

These videos often take risks in their attempts to grab attention.

Most fundraising campaign videos are brand advertisements.

Example Videos

“If”  — The University of Oregon’s brand advertisement consistently scores high among advertising agencies who create these types of marketing materials for colleges and universities. The gimmick is the meaning of “if”. It relies on exciting cinematography, special effects, and a driving soundtrack to overcome the long build-up to the gimmick explanation.

“Special Delivery for the Class of 2022”  — Boston College’s Harry Potter-themed video is an example of associating one aspect of the college — its gothic style of architecture — with a popular social reference that prospective students may find compelling. This video received a lot of buzz when it was released in 2017-2018. The production values are high — featuring an original score played by the school’s orchestra — and it gives the impression that attending BC will be just like attending Hogwarts. 

4. Events & Celebrations

The focus of these videos is a celebratory  event ,  tradition ,  ritual ,  title   win , or  happening  on campus. To succeed, these videos must show the event as important to achieving  personal and/or professional fulfillment . They should convey joy and sense of purpose from the participants and inspire viewers to wish they could be part of the action.

Typical Events

Move-in day

Holiday festival

Traditions & rituals

Charitable & community events

Social issue forums and demonstrations

“Graduation at UMKC”  — The University of Missouri Kansas City’s graduation video transcends the ceremony and shows the experience and impact of the school. The video — though it is ostensibly about the graduation ceremony — communicates more about the school than just a recap of the event. Fast-paced and captivating, it shows how the students achieved this life milestone, the impact of the school on their lives, and the experiences they lived. All of this accomplished with video clips playing behind the graduation speeches.  

5. Testimonials: Student, Faculty, Alumni

Testimonials provide a glimpse into the lives of people affiliated with the university or college. Most often they show a  student ,  faculty , and/or  alumni  perspective. The most effective of these rely less on the background story of the featured subjects — although providing a little context is essential — and more on the  experience  of the school and its  impact  on the subjects’ lives.

Impact More Important than Personal Story 

In order for their testimonials to be successful, testimonial subjects should be  relatable  and the experiences they articulate must be vital and compelling. It’s important for the chosen subjects to inspire  empathy  from the viewer. It’s not essential that they are from the same background as the viewer, only that they are someone the viewer would want to get to know better and befriend. Experience and impact are much more important than personal story.

“Our Lives at Middlebury”  — Middlebury College’s student testimonial video focuses on the experience of the school — social, academic, personal — more than on the individual subjects’ backgrounds. Choosing students from three different ethnic and regional backgrounds helps show that the school is a place where people from multiple perspectives can find support, academic and personal fulfillment, and success..  

“Oberlin Faculty Profile: Kendra Colton”   — Oberlin College and Conservatory does an excellent job of conveying what learning from an instructor will be like — in this case vocal coach Kendra Colton. This video is effective because it drops you right into the education experience. You get to see what it would be like to learn from this instructor, what her approach is, and how she nurtures her students. Prospective students also get to see the student in action and see if they would fit into the conservatory — are they good enough? 

6. Day in the Life Videos

These videos are  personal accounts  — similar to  influencer   vlogs  — of students as they are engaged in the daily pursuit of being a student. Most of these are presented as though they were created by the students themselves and  appear to be unscripted . As a result many viewers regard them as more authentic than the scripted student testimonials.

Cinema Vérité techniques — hand-held camera shots, over-spoken dialogue, incomplete thoughts, hesitant narration, etc.

Selfie video capture

Frequent use of vertical/portrait orientation

Production quality of the video is not as important as the appearance of authenticity

Most Impactful to Prospective Students

Prospective students ages 17 - 20 (GenZ) find day-in-the-life videos to be the most  authentic  and  appealing  of the categories. If they think the video is created by a student — even when it is not — they assume that the video subject is expressing their own words and their own ideas and it is much more believable. 

“A Day in the Life at Yale”  — Yale University’s video follows senior Louisa Nordstrom on a typical day. The video is polished and compelling even though it was probably filmed by her using her phone. Louisa is enormously appealing. She is both magnetic and classically attractive. But beauty — no matter how you decide to define it — is not essential in choosing a subject for these day-in-the-life videos. The important aspect to focus on in choosing a subject is to make sure that the viewer will find them relatable and personable. Viewers should feel that the person they are watching would be a good and helpful friend — someone who the viewer can trust.  

7. Campus Tours / Organizational Overviews

It’s important to note that these are tour and overview videos that are created by college marketing departments without using virtual tour and/or mapping software. These videos show off a particular aspect of the  campus , its  facilities , and/or a  featured   organization  (e.g. a  tour of the Black Student Center, gym, dining hall, dorm room).

Many are narrated by students. 

If it is a tour of a featured organization the student is usually a member or alum of the organization.

Conveys the campus or organization as welcoming and special. 

Vistas of empty campus spaces devoid of people do not appeal to prospective students. 

“Take a (Virtual) Tour of NYU”  — New York University’s campus tour has some heavy lifting to do. It’s a non-traditional campus in the middle of a chaotic city with several satellite campuses scattered across the metropolitan area. The student narrators are appealing and engaging, the editing is crisp, and the special effects make the ungainly campus feel very homey, beautiful, supportive, and fun.  

8. Pandemic-related & News Videos

Many universities and colleges have used the power of videography to  communicate their policies about the Covid-19 pandemic . Many of these are  news bulletin  formats and/or a series of administrators speaking to the camera — usually from behind a mask. 

“Move-In Day 2020”  — The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s combination of move-in day, testimonial, and official pandemic announcement is a great way to communicate the confusing and somber news of what the school is doing to address COVID-19. Note the visuals that show the mask warnings and the social distancing decals on the floor. They help communicate the message instantly and more effectively than any of text or narration.

• Campus Culture
• High School
• Top Schools

The 5 Best College Acceptance Videos on YouTube

• early decision

In a world that is becoming more and more digital and connected with social media, college acceptance reactions have become highly popular online, especially on YouTube. If you haven’t seen these exciting, not to mention nerve-wracking videos, most tend to exhibit high school seniors getting their laptops or devices ready, of course freaking out, finally opening their application decision, and freaking out some more when they realize that they were admitted into their dream schools. What is so great about being able to document these reactions online is that they are so heartwarming and meaningful to the friends, family, and even strangers that these videos are shared with. On a more personal level, taping your reaction allows you to witness possibly one of the best moments of your life as many times as you would like in the future.

Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at a few of the most jaw dropping and uplifting college acceptance reactions on YouTube!

1. “New York University | Class of 2019 Decision”

In this first video, an international student from Bombay, India walks us through the story of her acceptance to the NYU Tisch School of the Arts Class of 2019. She was at school one day and found out that a few of her classmates received rejection emails early from NYU… Talk about stressful! Luckily, she did not receive an email that day, and was emailed days later that she was accepted. Congrats, Aaila!

2. “Old Dominion University COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE REACTION”

In this next clip, a female student waits for her ODU decision with her family close by and her mom taking a video. Once the decision comes out, the reaction is priceless: everyone is jumping around, screaming and laughing. Talk about a supportive group! At the end of the video from behind the camera, the girl’s mother says, “You’ll make a change in the world. That’s the most important thing.” Wise words, Mom!

3. “My Reaction to University of Pennsylvania Acceptance”

I had to include this video, because the girl opening her Penn decision had the cutest dog in her lap! In all seriousness, having a little dog for encouragement was not the only thing that made this video great. This student was so convinced that she wouldn’t get admitted that it made her acceptance reaction all the more amazing.

4. “MIT acceptance reaction”

Props to this girl for opening her MIT decision on her phone in public! When she got up out of her seat, started jumping around, hugging people, and crying, I almost cried of joy myself. Anyone watching can really see this student’s dream coming true!

5. “Twins React to University of Pennsylvania Decision”

Last, but not least! This is actually my own acceptance reaction video for Penn. My sister and I both applied early decision, so we decided to take a video of ourselves opening our decisions together. Needless to say, we’ll be looking back at this clip during family reunions in the future.

If you’re applying to college, make sure to check out our database of admitted profiles . You can search by school to see grades, scores, essays, and more from students who were accepted to the schools that you’re interested in. Sign up now for a chance to win our $5,000 scholarship by telling us what you hate about the application process!

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• 2. College Application Lessons from 2020-2021: Strategizing through Covid Changes (Part 2)
• 3. College Admissions Lessons from 2020-2021: Strategizing through Covid Changes (Part 1)

• 5. COVID-19 and Your College Essay: Should You Write About It?
• 6. College Search: How to Find Your Best College Fit
• 7. College Tours 101: Everything You Need to Know
• 8. Waitlisted? 5 Ways to Move from the College Waitlist to Acceptance
• 9. When (and why) should you send additional materials to colleges you’re interested in?
• 10. How to Make Your College Essay Stand Out
• 1. How to Write College Essays to Boost your Chances Part 2: Focusing the Priority
• 2. How to Write College Essays to Boost your Chances Part 1: Biggest Essay Mistakes
• 3. College Application Lessons from 2020-2021: Strategizing through Covid Changes (Part 2)
• 5. Winners of the AdmitSee 2020 College Scholarship
• 6. COVID-19 and Your College Essay: Should You Write About It?
• 7. Education, Access and Systemic Racism
• 8. Applying to BS/MD Direct Medical Programs: Why Early Med School Admission Might be Right for You
• 9. How to Get Off the College Waitlist (5 Go-To Strategies)
• 10. College admissions prep during the Coronavirus

5 Steps for Scripting a Video College Application Essay

Students only have a few seconds to hook the viewer with a compelling story.

Script a Video Application Essay

Robert Daly | Getty Images

Think of the video essay as a brief advertisement for you and your skills.

If you had mere seconds to change the course of your life – what would you say?

If you are submitting a video admissions essay as part of your college application, that question should be at the forefront of your mind. Research has shown that opinion, favorable or unfavorable, is largely determined within the first seven seconds of an interaction. An amazing finish can sometimes compensate for a poor introduction, but first impressions are crucial in all aspects of life.

While the video format promises an immediacy and degree of connection that is lacking in written essays, many students will be tempted to point their cameras at themselves, press record, and reel off a video essay that begins with "Hi! My name is…"

Rather than doing that, consider these tips, which can help you write a script for a winning video essay:

1. View the video essay as an advertisement:  Your video essay is, in some ways, a brief advertisement for yourself. Your audience is the admissions committee that is attempting to select a capable and diverse cohort of students.

Starting your video by stating your name is like beginning an advertisement by saying, "This is a pencil." In other words, you are devoting the all-important first impression to sharing information that is already in your application. Instead, aim to do what advertisements do – establish the necessity of having you on campus next fall.

One of the benefits of compiling a college application is that it prompts you to list all of your accomplishments. Thus, before you start your video essay, you should already know what makes you a strong applicant.

You do not need to be better than the other applicants – you just need to add to the student body in a unique and interesting way. Allow your application data to speak for itself on paper, and instead concentrate on what makes you valuable beyond high test scores or a perfect average.

Learn about

2. Hook your viewer: Begin your script with a short sentence that captures your viewer's attention. The ideal hook is a concise introduction that suggests a larger story.    For example, "My love of science started when I assisted on an ecology research project at Mount St. Helens," is not a compelling hook – although it is better than a generic introduction.

Instead, set the scene in such a way that your viewer wants to find out what happened next. A sentence like,  "In the summer of 2014, I was standing on the slope of a dormant volcano when a storm rolled over our research camp," leaves several open questions that can only be answered by watching the rest of the video.

3. Explain why you chose this school: You will have a very small window to build your hook into a case for why you belong at a given school. Use your introductory sentence as the basis for the lesson that set you on the course toward college.

Think about questions like how this school will help you achieve your goals. Why is it on your short list ? What do you hope to do during your time as a student, beyond simply earning a degree? Use positive terms like "curiosity" and "service" in your script.

4. Share your true motivation:  Some people might define advertising as a form of lying. Certain advertisements certainly fit this mold, but the best ones present the truth in the most favorable light possible.

Your video should demonstrate real passion. If you are not genuinely motivated by a desire for public service, do not claim you are. It is absolutely all right to be motivated by a desire for excellence, a desire to build a secure future for your family or a desire to make a new life for yourself.

Check out these

5. Resist memorizing your script:  The script you prepare will be your guide to the video you ultimately create. However, when you are filming, it is imperative that you do not read from a script.

If you must memorize your script word-for-word, ensure that you can recite it with life and energy in your voice. If you continually pause to remember your next word, take a break and start over. Regardless of how much practice you complete, it is important to sound fresh when you record.

Every person has a story to share. Even if you feel like an ordinary, boring high school student, you have a story. Your goal, in your video essay, is to share that story. Even if you do not have a key moment like a foreign exchange trip or a summer research expedition, there are still moments that are uniquely yours.

Choose an event that is meaningful to you, such as success or defeat in sports, the birth of a younger sibling, or a time when a teacher took special notice of your work. Then, use that moment to set the context of your video. 

Tags: education , colleges , college applications , students

About College Admissions Playbook

Stressed about getting into college? College Admissions Playbook, authored by Varsity Tutors , offers prospective college students advice on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, SAT and ACT exams and the college application process. Varsity Tutors, an advertiser with U.S. News & World Report, is a live learning platform that connects students with personalized instruction to accelerate academic achievement. The company's end-to-end offerings also include mobile learning apps, online learning environments and other tutoring and test prep-focused technologies. Got a question? Email [email protected] .

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Tips for creating a college application video submission.

Read on for details about several schools that offer the option for a video submission, information on how and when it’s due, and tips for creating an authentic snapshot of yourself.

Which Schools Allow Video Submissions?

Several highly selective schools are now giving students the option to submit a video as part of their application, in addition to or in place of a college interview.

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Bowdoin College  offers an optional, supplemental two-minute video response that is unique in that you cannot plan your response in advance. Once you submit your application, the link to record your video response will become available in your Bowdoin Application Portal. When you click the link, you will receive a randomly selected question, like, “ Tell us how you would like to spend your birthday,”  or, “ What’s the best thing that’s happened to you in the last year ?” You have 30 seconds to think about your answer and then the recording begins. After you have completed your answer, you get the chance to review, but not edit or re-record, your submitted video response. The  optional video response  becomes available in late October once applicants are provided access to their Application Portal, and the  deadlines  are November 28 th  for ED and January 20 th  for ED2/RD.

Brown University  encourages applicants to submit a two-minute personal video introduction through the Brown Applicant Portal, as they have transitioned away from offering alumni interviews. This video needs to be uploaded within one week of receiving the application acknowledgement email from Brown University that contains your Applicant Portal login credential—so be on the lookout for that email! Brown has a list of suggested prompts and tips from current Brown students about video introduction do’s and don’ts.

Duke University welcomes applicants to record a video using Glimpse by InitalView, which must be submitted by November 6th for Early Decision and January 16th for Regular Decision.  Some students are selected for alumni interviews at Duke, but since this cannot be offered to all applicants, Glimpse allows you to record a 60-90 second video on any topic, allowing the college to get to know you better. The video is then submitted to Duke through the Initial View platform, where it is recorded.

The  University of Chicago  does not offer a traditional college interview, but instead allows students to submit a short video “if you would like to add your voice to your application.” You can upload a two-minute video to your UChicago Account or you create a 60-90 second video using  Glimpse by InitialView . If you are recording a Glimpse video, you can record one video on this platform and designate for it be sent to multiple schools. The video will be reviewed as part of your application (ED/EA due November 6 th  and ED2/RD due January 8 th ).

Wake Forest University  invites applicants to schedule a virtual interview or submit an optional two-to-three minute video submission that answers one of their  three prompts . According to their website, “If you choose to request an interview or submit a video,  you must do so within five days of submitting your application .” For more tips, Wake Forest’s Admissions Office has  this advice  for creating a video. You must first submit your application before being sent instructions for uploading the video to the status portal. Wake Forest “wants to hear from students who can speak about their intellectual interests!”

Washington University in St. Louis  wants to get to know applicants better through an optional 90-second video. Their instructions state, “Simply capture a quick video of yourself (cell phone is fine) telling us about something important to you,” and they offer a list of potential topics to address. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an email with login information for your WashU Pathway account within a few days. The link to upload your optional video is below the Application Checklist in the WashU Pathway.

Tips for Creating your Video

Presentation

• Be sure to look into the camera; try to position your laptop, iPad or phone so that the camera is at eye level.
• Center yourself in the screen and check that the frame includes your whole face.
• Prop your video device (laptop, iPad, phone) on a separate surface so that you are not holding it as you speak.
• Stand or sit in front of a clean, organized background.
• Find or create good lighting. Your face should be highlighted and there should not be any bright lights directly behind you.
• Minimize background noise.
• Dress appropriately—not too casual and not too formal.
• Speak clearly. You want to be easily heard and seen.
• If you are using your phone, check that your video is in landscape orientation so that a viewer doesn’t have to turn their head to the side when watching on a computer.
• Begin by saying your name and high school.
• Make an outline of what you would like to say, but do not read from a script. Act natural and be conversational.
• Be creative in expressing your unique self, but also address how you will contribute to the specific school where you are applying.
• Limit your video to the time specified by the college.
• Relax and have fun!

Finally,  Ariana Weaver , Wake Forest Admissions Counselor, advises, “Keep it simple and authentic.”

At Collegiate Gateway, we are well-versed in creating impressive and authentic college applications and supplemental materials. We help each college applicant to present their distinctive qualities through videos,  interviews ,  resumes , and essays . Feel free to  contact us . We’re always happy to help!

www.collegiategateway.com

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5 Admissions Video Ideas for Summer

Meli Taylor Higher Education

Summer means fewer students on campus, but that creates the perfect opportunity for Admissions Counselors to implement new recruiting strategies. Summer is the ideal time to reach out to rising seniors and invite them to consider your school. Regardless of your admissions team’s activities, you can brainstorm admissions video ideas that kickstart your outreach efforts. In this article, we will go over 5 top admissions video ideas for the summer. With these videos, you can create memorable posts on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube or message them directly to interested students with a video email platform . These college admissions videos will engage your audience, especially Gen Z students who spend much time online watching videos. In addition, attractive, memorable admissions videos will catch the attention of rising seniors and convince them to look more into your school.

Summer is the perfect season to create the best college admissions videos for your prospective student campaigns and social streams. You can show off your campus, highlight college town hot spots, and demonstrate how students and professors spend their summer. With a video messaging app like Covideo, send videos directly to prospective students or post them on social media. Once you decide which of the top college admissions video ideas to implement, sign up for a Start a free trial.

Best College Admissions Video Ideas for the Summer

1. campus tour.

Summer is the best time to create a campus tour video you can share on social media and your website. Since fewer people are on campus during the summer, take the time to capture the beautiful scenery or exciting architecture. Showcase amenities in buildings like the library or cafeteria that may be more difficult to film and navigate when more students are around. If your office offers live guided tours this summer, make a video recording of one, then edit it to perfection.

Once you’ve recorded a campus tour, you can disseminate it on multiple channels. For example, you can post the full version on YouTube or your website and then release bite-size clips on Instagram and TikTok that invite users to learn more. You can also include scenes from the tour video in online marketing materials or invitations to events for prospective students. Virtual campus tours are essential for attracting prospective students .

2. Student summer opportunities: on-campus

Almost no campus is fully devoid of students during the summer. Reach out to the students who stay on-campus during the summer and ask to interview them about their summer opportunities! You can create videos about students working summer campus jobs, conducting research with professors, or taking summer classes. You can also invite students to “take over” your social media accounts for a day and use photos and videos to show your followers how they spend their day. Meanwhile, video interviews can be posted on social media or sent directly to interested students. Brainstorm admissions video ideas that showcase on-campus summer opportunities. These will appeal to many prospective students, especially those interested in working with specific professors or on particular projects and students concerned about affording college. Once you create a video, you can send it to any student who messages you questions about related summer opportunities. With these videos, you can assuage student concerns about what they’ll do during summer breaks or get them excited about all the options still available to them during the summer term.

3. Student summer opportunities: off-campus

As for your students who aren’t staying on campus, you can still hit them up for admissions video ideas that focus on their activities during summer break. In particular, work with the career development office to find out which students have internships or research fellowships they obtained through the office or connections with alumni. The purpose of these videos is to demonstrate how your college helps students prepare for future careers through job and internship opportunities. When you ask students to discuss their experiences on video, be sure to ask them to include how attending your school helped them obtain this opportunity. You can create these videos by either recording video meetings with students or asking students to send in videos discussing their experiences or walking viewers through their job. Additionally, if your college offers summer study abroad programs, contact them! Study abroad programs are popular with students, and summer sessions are great for those who don’t want to miss a semester on-campus. In addition, prospective students will enjoy seeing videos of students abroad and hearing about their experiences. So, if any department in your university offers such programs, connect with them and ask for videos to post on social media or send testimonials.

Best of all, asking off-campus students for videos is easy with Covideo’s video reply feature. All you have to do is send a recorded message requesting a video from students, and they can reply directly to your message with a video of their own. They don’t even need a Covideo account to record and send a reply! With Covideo, gathering video testimonials from your students is a breeze, no matter where in the world they are located. Schedule a demo to learn more.

4. Out & about town

College towns are less crowded during the summer. As such, it’s the perfect time to showcase popular locations out and about in the town. Take videos of popular restaurants, coffee shops, and stores that cater to student needs. You can highlight locations that are more functional than flashy as well. Consider creating a video tour that covers the best places for students’ needs, such as salons, laundromats, pharmacies, hospitals, etc. Post the videos of hot spots on social media while saving the more extended video tour for a section on your website that discusses townie life.

If your school isn’t in a college town, you can still use the summer to take videos of places of interest for students. In addition, you can find out which locations in your community offer deals for college students and create a video highlighting those deals. Finally, no matter where your college is located, you can create attractive videos that illustrate why your location is ideal for students.

5. Summer life for professors

Academics are an integral part of every prospective student’s decision process. Consequently, prospective students want to know more about the professors who teach at your school. During the school year, your videos on professors will likely focus on the courses they teach, but during the summer, you can use videos to talk about what professors do outside the classroom. Focus in particular on summer research, scholarship, and industry events. Then, send these videos to prospective students who may be interested in the professor’s specific project or field of study. They will help you attract top talent and academically-focused students.

Better yet, find out if professors are working with students on projects or research during the summer. These opportunities are very appealing to ambitious students who want to contribute to their field. Working with a professional on their research is an incredible opportunity and will look great on the students’ resumes. It may also grant them the ability to foster meaningful connections with other professionals while still in school. For prospective students focused on excelling in a specific career or field of study, videos about students assisting professors in their research will make your school stand out against the competition.

Create and Share Admissions Videos with Covideo

During any season, you can use Covideo to easily record and share your best admissions video ideas with prospective students and their families. Covideo’s video recording software lets you create videos on your computer or phone and send them through email, text message, or social media. The video is embedded directly into the news, drawing your recipient’s attention. Furthermore, you can host videos on a custom video landing page that includes your school logo and colors.

Join hundreds of other colleges and universities already using Covideo to attract more applications and enroll more accepted students. Contact our team for a free demo and learn what Covideo can do for your institution.

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