By Alexandra Koktsidis
Picture this: You’re applying to college. You’ve gotten your transcripts, asked for your letters of recommendation, and then you see this: supplemental video essay. Pause everything.
You might start thinking: Should I write a script? Do I need to learn Final Cut Pro or become a TikTok star first? Where did I put my ring light? Take a breath. A video essay isn’t an audition tape, a viral social video, or a screenplay.
It’s simply a way for the admissions team to get to know you. “You can think of it as an alternative medium of a supplemental essay,” said Jared Pierce, Babson College Director of Undergraduate Admission. It holds the same weight as a supplemental essay—and should be given the same amount of thought and effort—just in a different, visual format.
So, how do you create a video essay for a college application? We’ll dive into the main steps to get you started.
When creating a video essay for college, preparing a topic beforehand makes a difference. Whether you choose to center the video around one topic, or have a few main points, organizing your thoughts helps you stay on track.
At Babson, the supplemental question you can make a video essay for asks about your interest in studying business and how you feel Babson can help prepare you to make an impact in your chosen field of business. The biggest thing to consider is that you should make sure to answer the prompt fully. If you need ideas, you can ask yourself a few questions:
From there, you can start to shape your story.
Stories make the world go round. When you structure your topics, use storytelling to your advantage. You can start with a hook that pulls your audience in, leaving them curious to learn more. You might include an unexpected element or ask a thought-provoking question.
Second, use details to paint a scene. This will help make your video more memorable. Whether you’re describing a moment that shaped you, the things you’re passionate about, or a goal or dream you have for the future, it’s the details that make the story unique to you.
Once you get a sense of your story structure, it can also help to watch a few examples online. Spend a few minutes to see what’s out there, gain inspiration, and spark ideas for how to make your video your own.
“Don’t get too carried away, though!” says Pierce. “Remember, it’s vital to make it your own and ensure your unique voice carries through.”
Before you film anything new, scroll back through your camera roll, old home videos, and photo albums. Any clips of you at school events—from sports, to concert recitals, to foreign language club—could make their way into your video.
Consider photos of yourself with family and friends. Even if you don’t end up using any of them, looking through past photos can help you decide what makes it into your video essay.
Once you’ve decided on what you’re saying and how you’re saying it, it’s time to say it in a conversational way. The best way to think of it is as if you’re speaking to a friend—and don’t overthink it.
A common question: Should you write a script? Answer: You can write a script, a brief outline, or talking points as a guide. However, keep in mind that memorizing a script, or reading from one, can take away from sounding conversational.
If you feel like finding your groove by just hitting record, go for it. If you need to write notes beforehand, that’s great, too. Only you know what you need to sound the most authentic, which brings us to our next point.
It’s OK to smile. It’s OK to laugh. It’s OK to be serious, too. The point is, use your college video essay to show personality, whether it’s enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, humor, or determination.
Some tips to show your personality in your video:
When it comes to how to record a video essay, you don’t need a fancy camera or light boxes.
These guidelines for how to record a video essay should keep you in check:
You don’t need fancy editing software to make your video essay come to life. Use your computer’s built-in software or download a free editor online. The bottom line: Keep things simple. The video is not about the edit or production quality. It’s about you!
If you want to pare back even further, skip the video clips and edits altogether. Talking to the camera about the things you’re passionate about in a clear and authentic way can still make an impression.
Babson entrepreneurs say this all the time: done is better than perfect. Admission teams are looking for a genuine take.
View your final video in full before submitting, making sure to catch any glaring errors. When you’re happy with it, you can upload it to a video streaming service and add the link to your common application.
Remember, Babson Admission counselors are here to help with any additional questions you have about your video essay, Babson, or your application in general. And if you haven’t already, schedule a tour of campus, chat with actual Babson students, or conact the admission staff for more information.
Alexandra Koktsidis has a background in journalism and copywriting, and over a decade of professional writing experience. She is based in the Boston area.
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