It seems that my friend Christopher Penn is up to his old tricks again, where I define “old tricks” as innovative ideas involving social media. On today’s Financial Aid Podcast he outlined his idea for a college application that involves online media aspects. I’d like to know what you all think about it.
Chris writes:
I mentioned in a previous episode about the Social Media College Application. Applying for a job is relatively easy, all things considered, but a college application is a whole other ball of wax. The gold standard for college applications is the Common Application (PDF), which is used by more than 300 colleges in the US. Here’s what a social media version of the application would probably look like.
First, you’d have the Common Application itself, filled out completely, and linked on your personal web site. It would need to be encrypted due to the ton of personal information in there. Next, there would probably be a blog that would contain your thoughts, as well as answers to each of the essay topics in the Common Application. Because you’ve got time (you’re planning ahead, right?) you can write out each of the essay topics in the Common Application as blog posts, then review and pick the one you like most (and your friends/editors like most).
I’d of course provide links to your various accounts, like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, etc. as appropriate - and if it’s not appropriate, you’ll want to either create or clean up accounts on those services so they exist.
The Common Application asks you about employment experience. Obviously, spend the time during summers working, but also work on projects and things for which you can solicit recommendations on a LinkedIn profile. Having more of that will help not only your college application, but your career down the road.
Where the Social Media College Application can really shine is in rich media. There are two attachments, the arts and the athletic supplement, that are really static sheets of paper. For example, the athletic supplement asks you for basic details about your participation in sports. Wouldn’t it be much more effective to provide, in addition to the required information in the application itself, some video clips of your sports highlights? A good number of parents record major sports performances anyway, so it’s just a matter of isolating those clips into a single three minute video, kind of like the “life story in a flash” spots the networks profile athletes with during the Olympics.
Obviously, as you’re filling out the Common Application, you’ll want to include the URL to your personal homepage in each of the relevant sections where you have content that goes beyond the scope of a sheet of paper.
The other section is the arts supplement. The application asks you about the medium - music, theater and dance, visual arts, etc. and then asks you to enclose a 10 minute CD or DVD of your expression and technique. Follow the directions on the application, of course, but then load up your Blip or YouTube account with your stuff. Have a performance video and a “Behind the Scenes/Behind the Music” style clip that has you answering the Common App questions in a more human way, face to face.
Be sure in the CD or DVD you submit that you begin and end it with a very short clip letting people know about your web site and how they can find more information.
One last thing: the Common Application offers you a spot at the beginning for an IM address. I’d suggest offering something like a Skype account so that should you and an admissions officer be suitably equipped, you can do voice and video chat in advance. Make the offer in your cover letter as well - chances are maybe 1 in 100 will do so, but just by offering, you’ll be offering them new ways to communicate with you. (new to the admissions office, anyway)
Social media provides you with opportunities to demonstrate your talents beyond what fits on a sheet of paper. If you’re a college admissions officer, please leave a comment here with what would make an impact with you! If you’re a student, leave a comment with a link to your SMCA!
I think that a more simple approach might suffice for someone like me (just an idea):
A college application fails to deliver the “full picture” of an individual. To address this, I have enclosed the web address (URL) of my personal website. There, you can find more examples of my writing, web design, and movie producing. Thank you!
http://exposay.net/
But for all I know, something like that might just confuse an admissions officer. Or, it might be the deciding factor at a more prestigious school. Thoughts?
I don’t know, I always felt like too much excess information was useless–you can attach whatever you want to your application, but if you don’t keep it concise and relevant, an admissions officer isn’t going to bother to go through all of it anyway. I really don’t think they’re going to go watch all your youtube clips.
I think your little note is perfect.
It’s like, “I know you’re probably not going to look at this, but if you want to, you’re welcome to: Link!”
Hey Rick…. SPELL CHECK. “applications”
That’s not a spelling issue; rather, it’s grammar.
Zing.
For the first time ever, my wife and I are involved in the admission process. We’re interviewing candidates for a school as alumni volunteers, and an application and brief interview can only show so much. Many very qualified students may have an off day or simply not interview well.
Anything that shows more of the person, whether it’s a social media application, a Web site or blog, would be helpful.
Oh yeah, I’m looking them up online too — and they’re surprised!
Ted, it’s great that you’re looking online to find information about these candidates. I can only hope that my admissions officers are looking me up.
I hope.