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February 23, 2010 4:31 PM Dear Tufts: Check Out My Movie

By Daniel Luzer

The New York Times reports that Tufts University is now using YouTube in its admissions process:

It is reading season at the Tufts University admissions office, time to plow through thousands of essays and transcripts and recommendations — and this year, for the first time, short YouTube videos that students could post to supplement their application.

It’s a little unclear whether or not the supplemental video is really a good idea (someone’s idea of “creative” maybe be someone else’s “tacky”) but Tufts reports that about 6 percent of applicants have submitted one-minute videos. One example:

This is the first year that Tufts, which is well-known among admissions officers for its unconventional application, has welcomed the video supplements. Students, particularly those with musical talents or theatrical abilities, have submitted videos with their college applications for years, however.

Daniel Luzer is the web editor of the Washington Monthly. Follow him on Twitter at @Daniel_Luzer.