To Impress, Tufts Prospects Turn to YouTube

During our second Humphrey Cafe, we discussed new innovative methods colleges and universities are using for the undergraduate admission process.  Among these new methods are an optional YouTube video used at Tufts University.

See the article used for a discussion starter here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/education/23tufts.html?hp

According to Mr. Coffin, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, “So much of what we do in admissions is opaque, and that contributes to all the frenzy,” he said. “This is something that’s completely transparent.”

However, as we explored during our Humphrey Cafe discussion, new innovations may bring up issues such as:

• Equity -- Do low-income students have the same opportunities in learning to use technology that might help them make a 'winning' video?  
• Closing the Achievement Gap -- This might give traditionally marginalized students a chance to show their knowledge, skills, and experiences in a new and more appropriate format.  
• Privacy Issues -- for students who may not be aware of the very public nature of everything on the internet.
• Globally --  How has technology innovation been used in other areas of the world?  

What do you think about these and other issues?