Alternative Applications

Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland has been in the news lately for its decision to allow students to submit a video application instead of the traditional one.  More specifically, rather than send in test scores, essays, and recommendations, students can send in a self-produced two minute video that explains why they want to attend Goucher and how they hope to thrive once they get there.  Goucher is not the first college to do this however; several years ago Tufts University began accepting videos as a supplement to the traditional application.

While I agree with the "experts" that the college application is difficult and perhaps even a mess, there are potential pitfalls with the video application as well.  In an interview with NPR last week, Robert Sternberg, a professor at Cornell University and formerly of Tufts, said "Goucher is making a step in the right direction by introducing new ways to allow students to say who they really are."  But he added, "video applications might backfire for some students," because it "puts an emphasis on how well you perform for a camera."  Some people will naturally perform better than others, and despite the fact that Goucher claims it will not give more credence to videos that are more slickly produced than others (and I believe they will make every effort to do that), I worry that it opens up another "arms race" of sorts, i.e. who can produce the most professional video (sound, lights, backdrop, etc.)?

There are other alternative application practices that colleges have adopted . Many have stopped requiring standardized tests*, and every year more and more colleges are adding their names to that list.  Others, like Bard, College, have come up with ideas like the Bard Entrance Exam, an on-line essay students may choose to take.

I don't claim to have the solution for making the application process fairer, but I appreciate that colleges are beginning to try.

*For the complete list of colleges that do not require standardized tests, go to FairTest.org.