I am grateful for this letter from a grateful parent

My son just completed his college process this May. It was a long journey. So many schools, so many tests, so many scholarship forms, so many hours of homework, sport teams, music lessons – and so many kids, all applying to colleges with perfect scores and amazing grades. In such a world of perfection (and competition) it becomes ever more crucial that each student embark on their college application process with a mind toward offering the schools a taste of their unique voice and skills.

In addition to a personal statement that honestly and creatively reflects who the student is, how well they write and express themselves, how they look at life etc., a video recording is another crucial piece of the application that can go a long way toward enhancing the student’s application.

A well-done video of the student is like a handshake and an interview – it can immediately reveal to an admissions committee who this person is. “Performing” and embracing their passion in an active and wholehearted way on video can draw away the curtain of formality and show the student’s “real” self. And ultimately, every college is looking for impassioned, engaged “real” students.

Both my daughter and my son availed themselves of the opportunity to make a video for their college applications: my son made a music performance video and my daughter danced for hers. Both times Richard Kaplan (Family Tribute Films) produced these videos for us, and both times the end product was beautifully videoed and elegantly presented. Richard made professional and sensitive videos that conveyed who my kids were at their best. Tears come to my eyes watching them! In my daughter’s case, this videotaping happened three summers ago – and I still go back to watch it every once in a while because it is a deep, lasting piece of her history, always moving to recapture.

We opted both times around to make these recordings in the summer prior to senior year so that the ensuing chaos of 12th grade would not have to include last minute videotaping – and I highly recommend this tack. On a more practical note, my kids could not have been more successful with their college application results – they both got in Early Decision to the schools of their choice with generous merit scholarship! Thank you Richard!   — Laura