Early Decision and Early Action Deadlines

My son and I took advantage of Columbus Day, with his school closed, to visit colleges in session. We drove through spectacular fall foliage, sharing our tastes in music, and enjoying long, focused talks about what he wants for college.

As we waited to be assigned to a tour group at the first school, I shared with him advice from another parent: we should split up on the tour to get two different perspectives. But my son preferred we go together to share our immediate impressions. It’s what I preferred, too, but wanted to give him the choice.

This latest round of tours confirmed that he wants a midsize college in a small, hip town set in beautiful countryside. And it helped him narrow college choices and reorder priorities for early action and regular decision. It helped me realize that I can trust his judgment, for just as when he and I toured the highly competitive New York City public middle schools and high schools, we have often seen eye to eye.

Signs of modern college life: During the tour I observed some things have remained constant since my college days, such as graffiti on a traffic sign.  

Yet other things –including vastly improved dining hall meals– have changed considerably:

Family Tribute Film has evolved in response to today’s radically changed college admissions environment. We create short, individualized, state-of-the-art videos that can be a critical component in the supplemental materials submitted to admissions officers. We collaborate with you and your student to identify how a video can best highlight what makes them special. There is no boilerplate, no one-size fits all for our videos.  We provide the professional instincts and production values honed over decades of creating award-winnning television and video.

These videos of your child’s accomplishments and statements of personal identity, on the verge of adulthood, make invaluable family keepsakes.

In the past few weeks, with early decision and early action deadlines looming, some clients are asking whether we can complete their videos in time for the deadlines.  Rest assured, you still have time, especially as many colleges allow you a few days grace period to submit supplemental materials — provided you submit the rest of the application on time.  But always ask each college admissions office for their specific rules.

Even though we’re still months away from regular application deadlines, the earlier you plan to make a college admissions video the more time we have to make the best possible video to help your student stand out. And the easier it will be to meet application deadlines, even if that requires Family Tribute Film to make an especially quick turnaround for your family.

Let’s talk.

917.447.1285  /  RichardBKaplan@verizon.net