Clair Blog · Admissions ·
Less Writing, More Video?
What if your next college supplement isn’t an essay at all?
As colleges rethink how they get to know applicants, video introductions are becoming an increasingly visible part of the admissions process.
At Brown, applicants are encouraged to submit a brief personal video introduction of up to 90 seconds. The university says the video gives students an opportunity to share more about themselves, in their own voice, beyond what appears in the written application.
WashU also offers applicants an optional 90-second video supplement. Students can use it to share something important to them, such as a hobby, creative interest, or experience that helps the admissions committee get to know them better.
Why the shift?
A short video can show something an essay sometimes can't: your voice, personality, enthusiasm, and authenticity. Unlike a polished essay, a video can give admissions officers a more immediate sense of the person behind the application. With the rising use of AI in essays, a video also allows a student to show their authentic self.
Don't mistake “video” for “production,” however. Brown specifically says videos are not evaluated for production quality, and WashU tells students that the video is not intended to be a professional-quality production.
For students, the takeaway is simple: not every college supplement means another essay.
As you build your college list, check whether each school offers (or requires) video introductions, interviews, portfolios, or other ways to share more about yourself. These provide a great opportunity for an applicant to show a side of themselves that can't be readily discerned through the typical application.
Will the video introduction become the next big admissions supplement?
It's a trend worth watching.