Why Western? Incoming freshman answer for a chance at a scholarship
When WWU asked incoming freshmen “Why Western?” 37 students answered by posting a video on YouTube.
The Office of Admissions will announce the winner of WWU’s first-ever video scholarship contest March 1 at the Why Western? contest page.
Some students wrote and performed their own songs or raps. Others told stories about themselves or included photos and video showing their volunteer work and other important activities.
Some were earnest, others quirky, and a couple are frankly confusing. They can all be seen at www.youtube.com/whywestern.
So far, more than 6,000 people have gone to the page to see the “Why Western?” videos, says Kayle Walls, admissions counselor at WWU.
Entries came from Washington as well as California, Utah, New Mexico, Minnesota and Florida, Walls says. The contest also drew students who want to study a variety of disciplines, from art and theatre to business and neuroscience.
The grand prize is a $2,000 scholarship, while runners-up win $1,000 or $500. Deadline for entries was Jan. 31, and the contest was open to incoming freshmen only.
Walls isn’t sure if Admissions will hold the scholarship contest again next year, but personal video essays may become an option for applicants who want another way to make themselves known to the Admissions Office. Students may already send essays, letters of recommendations, portfolios or other evidence of their talents. One student even submitted a sculpture, Walls says.
“It might be another way to reach out to students to show Western cares about more than just their GPA’s and test scores,” Walls says.
