Web helps admissions officials demystify application process

Admissions officials at many colleges are trying to fight the Hollywood version of the college application process: A panel of ancient white guys in suits sitting in a stuffy wood-paneled boardroom as they discuss a pile of dusty folders.

To do this, dozens of admissions departments are producing YouTube videos, starting blogs, creating Twitter accounts and flocking to Facebook with this message: Look at how awesome, cool and approachable we are!

Here's the latest example: Last month, the admission staff at Centre College in Kentucky posted a You Tube video detailing how student applications are evaluated by the nine counselors on staff. They call it a "tongue-in-cheek look at a super duper serious process."

Last year at the University of Delaware, admissions counselor Avi Amon created a music video called "Reading Season" that details the difficulty of evaluating hundreds of student applications. (The admissions department also produced "Delaware: The MUSICAL.")

Meanwhile, lots and lots of admissions deans and counselors tell students about their jobs at great length on blogs -- and in short snippets on Twitter.

What are some of your favorites? Tell me in the comments.

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