The Application Process

I've noticed that Tuck gives you an option of sending in a video response, rather than writing an essay response to the question in their application. I'm just curious if anyone has anyone tried this before?

Hi cr1985 -- we're confused -- are you sure you mean Tuck? NYU does this; UCLA used to but we thought they discontinued it this year.

Regardless, a video response can be a great way to introduce yourself to the adcom. Here's a post about it from our blog last year, talking about those UCLA video essays - the school posted some samples so you can see how much they reveal about the candidate: https://essaysnark.blocked/2010/11/ ... g-you.html

Sometimes for NYU people just do a slideshow with a voiceover; that's not quite a "video" but it can still be a nice touch.

What were you thinking about presenting in yours?

EssaySnark

I am applying through Consortium and the Tuck portion allows you to either send a video or write an essay. It says it should be no longer than 90 seconds and/or no greater than 4MB.

But, thanks for the link! The sample videos provided are sort of what I was planning to put together. I'm pretty good with video editing and am hoping I can put together something that is on topic, yet fun at the same time: Please explain why Tuck is the best school for you, and what would you contribute to the community.

Call me crazy, but I'm having ideas of narrating my answer over a montage of photographs and a soundtrack playing a song from either the Rolling Stones or the Beatles. But, this is because I'm assuming that most adcoms are probably baby boomers? lol Not sure.. maybe too risque?

Aha! The Consortium! We did not know that Tuck was pushing the envelope over there! We already had a blog post queued up on The Consortium for tomorrow (to follow one we started today on diversity) - this will have to go in it. Thanks, cr1985, for the heads-up, this was one application factoid we'd not known about this season.

On your assumption that adcom folks are baby boomers... uh... not quite! They're Gen Xers, mostly (with some exceptions yes but pretty sure the Tuckies are younger than that!). Check 'em out for yourself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqchNG71 ... tube_gdata
https://www.blogger.com/profile/18215669068944883410
https://www.blogger.com/profile/10272599598712226833
(these are just a few - Tuck Admissions is much more open than many other schools' - you should explore more for yourself!)

One thing you can count on is that most adcom are women.

No matter what, though - while the Stones or Beatles may be fine - is that the music that YOU like??? Sure, everyone likes the Stones/Beatles -- but this video should be reflecting YOU... not what you think the adcom wants to see.

Just our $0.02!!

Anyway, very glad you posted this question - loving it that Tuck is embracing a new medium for their apps this year, even in a limited dose! And it sounds like you're gonna come up with something fun. We've had clients do video essays before and they really do help communicate in such a more personal way!

Good luck with it, and if we can help, let us know!
EssaySnark

Yep, no problem, and thanks. You're right about using something that I'd like, and I was thinking of a particular song from the Stones called "Gimmie Shelter." I'm not too sure there are many Gen X songs that might have the same effect that I'm hoping to get across. I'd like to mimic that creative effect that Scorsese has with the songs he places within his movies.

Hi,

It would be great if you can talk to the alumni and look at some sample videos. Since you are comfortable with video editing we are sure you can create something that differentiates you from other applications.
Goodluck!

cr1985 wrote:Yep, no problem, and thanks. You're right about using something that I'd like, and I was thinking of a particular song from the Stones called "Gimmie Shelter." I'm not too sure there are many Gen X songs that might have the same effect that I'm hoping to get across. I'd like to mimic that creative effect that Scorsese has with the songs he places within his movies.

LOL just trying to figure out what a "Gen X song" even is! Are we talking Prince here? Bon Jovi? Madonna??

Love the high bar you're setting - a video essay like a Scorsese movie!!

(Oh wait... on second thought...! Scorsese?!? LOL!)

EssaySnark would love to see what you come up with, maybe you'll consider sending it over to us before you submit? (essaysnark at gmail)

And also - are you applying to NYU??? Or Yale? Obvious synergies to be had with their film school stuff if that's part of your professional interests.

Sounds like you're having fun with this, and no matter what, having fun is an EXCELLENT strategy for getting into bschool!!
EssaySnark

Haha, well I'm not exactly Scorsese, but I love the little intricacies he uses.

Sure, I'll give you heads up when I have the final results. I am also applying to NYU, but I wasn't aware that their film program would matter when applying to their business school.

Film school only matters when applying to bschool if career goals are media-related. We'd assumed maybe you had such an interest - maybe we were overthinking things!!

It's funny, I actually had dreams of attending film school when I was younger. I ended up deciding against it later in life for a degree that might be more practical. Maybe you're right, if I concentrate my interests in the business of media, it could be something to work with when applying to NYU or USC. I also wasn't aware that Yale had a good film program...

Hey cr1985 --

Bschool is a chance to pursue your lifelong dreams, so why not? When people mix practical + passion in their career goals pitch, it's often quite compelling to the adcoms.

Not entirely sure about NYU re: film school but we do know that some people have gone there for media/film biz stuff, which is why we threw it out there. Columbia has a very good media program as well but it's more focused on advertising/broadcast, as far as we know.

Your query about the video essay, and an amazing video that happened to cross our path at the same time, prompted a blog post on same today: https://essaysnark.blocked/2011/11/ ... essay.html

Can't wait to see what you come up with!

EssaySnark