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In the summer movie Legally Blonde, the main character submits a sexy, silly video to the admissions office for acceptance into Harvard Law School. Have students applying to BU ever sent in videos or other unique things for consideration of their admission to the University?

"I saw the movie and was in stitches over the scenes involving the admissions committee and Reese Witherspoon's video essay," says Kelly Walter, director of undergraduate admissions.

"A student who is academically admissible is going to be admissible without anything else," says Walter. "Students who tend to use supplementary materials such as portfolios, videotapes, CDs, tapes, and other samples of personal work hope these items will put them in the yes or maybe pile. Over the years, we've had students submit a variety of creative and attention-getting things. One student sent in a comic strip he had created, in which he was the main character, which told all about his four years at BU. Another baked a cake -- she had her own pastry and dessert business on the side. The cake certainly caught our attention (it was delicious) and demonstrated one of her special talents.

"In both cases, the students were admitted to Boston University. But these students were not weak academically, nor did the supplementary materials assist in their admission. We read over 28,000 applications in less than three months, and while the creative efforts of some candidates put a smile on our faces, such things don't generally sway admissions decisions.

"Boston University's official policy for admissions, as outlined in our application, details guidelines for prospective students. The Board of Admissions reviews every application for undergraduate admission and places primary emphasis on the strength of a student's secondary school record. The scores of required tests, such as SAT I or ACT, essays, teacher and counselor recommendations, and other personal qualifications demonstrated by extracurricular activities, are also carefully evaluated before a decision to offer admission is made. A student's portfolio or an audition is a required component only for admission to the School for the Arts."

"Ask the Bridge" welcomes readers' questions. E-mail bridge@bu.edu or write to "Ask the Bridge," 10 Lenox Street, Brookline, MA 02446.

7 September 2001
Boston University
Office of University Relations