Admission officials are trying to shed their old, stuffy, always buttoned-up image and trying to appear more “cool” and approachable to prospective college students, according to an article in the Washington Post.
They are doing so to respond to many high school students who decided against the traditional essay and paper application, the students who got creative with their applications, producing YouTube videos and other materials.
Many officials, across the nation, representing various different colleges that followed their prospective students, are diving into popular social mediums and creating their own YouTube videos, blogs, Twitter/Facebook accounts, etc. These officials are trying to be more relevant to the high school age group.
Some officials have posted materials on what they are looking for in applications, while others have published information on the daily routine of admission officials, giving high school students valuable insights into what their jobs are really like.
Recently an admission staff at Centre College in Kentucky uploaded an entertaining YouTube video, trying to show viewers how their entry process works. The group called it a, “tongue-in-cheek look at a super duper serious process.”
Admissions counselor Avi Amon at the University of Delaware created a YouTube musical called “Reading Season,” detailing the tedious process of reading hundreds or even thousands of college applications.
Most colleges that have used social media to reach out to students have simply posted informational blogs. See John Hopkins’ here, the University of Chicago’s here and the University of Virginia’s here, which also contains YouTube videos.
These are not the only schools that have used social media outlets for application processes; many other colleges have similar ones as well.
Before you submit your final application to a college, try to find their blog or YouTube application process videos (if they have them). This could give you some major tips and ideas about what exactly they are looking for, helping your application stand out and be more relevant.
