I will, thank you!!
Agree. This sort of thing can make a difference in a close case. A friend’s kid applied to several highly rejective schools as a STEM major but included an arts supplement everywhere he could. He was a very good student and smart, but it was not expected for him to get in any of those schools. He got into all of them.
I would strongly encourage her to put together a short video. Is it required that she put together the video? Is that something that somebody else can do for her? That is the sort of thing that could be the difference between acceptance and rejection at a school where 95% of people are rejected.
I understand the burn out. Would she be OK with a rejection and wondering whether a video would have made the difference? If the answer is yes, don’t do the video. If she is going to regret it down the road, then my advice would be to power through.
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Interestingly, since making this post I looked into the details of her top three most selective schools and one doesn’t seem to take portfolios unless you are applying to their design school, and the two others basically say you can submit but it is likely it won’t get looked at. So that leaves three schools that will take a dance portfolio submission. I will talk with her fain about it this weekend and maybe she will just put together a simple video and submit it to those schools.
Thanks for everyone’s insight! It’s been really helpful and interesting to read
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One of my kids is in music and one danced professionally during high school. Both sent supplements with recording/video, music/dance resume and letters of recommendation. Your daughter could consider doing a resume and letters of recommendation, without a video. (Does she not have any videos already?) These supplements were key to admission for my two, one at an Ivy and one at an arty LAC. Of course it’s fine not to send- and the EC list and essays can communicate a lot. She could also use the additional info section. Stress is so high in senior year so whatever is possible.
Thanks for your insight. She has a collection of long form videos from past performances that she’d have to cut down and put together in some form or another. I can help with that.
It’s actually the resume that caught her off guard. One school asked her to list her honors and awards around dance neither of which she has. We live in a small town about four hours from any larger town/city and the dancers here don’t compete at all or perform outside their company. Non-the-less, it is an extremely high quality program here with 3 performances per year and prominent guest artists that come and work with the students every year.
She basically deflated when she saw the requirements for writing the resume despite my reassurances that it would be looked at within the context of her living in a small town.
This process is already so ridiculous with the hoops they want the kids to jump through, that I am not going to pressure her about this, but maybe will bring it up one last time.
Did she attend any summer intensives she could list? Or the works she has learned and performed? I cannot think of many dance awards for non competition dancers. If she decides to do a video she could include rehearsal footage if she is working on Nutcracker right now if that is easier. I think since it is not an audition video but just to show her commitment and level of dance that her video does not need to be as polished as if she was auditioning for a company, etc. Good luck!
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Just listing her performances, what was performed, choreographer, and visiting artists (workshops?). The video could just be one short one, no need for a composite. Would she have letters of recommendation? (talent, work ethic, helping others, cooperation etc.)
But it’s not a big deal. I think mental health is more important. Especially if doing a resume makes her feel “less than.” She knows about the supplement so maybe you could let it go and if she feels driven to do it, she will- and will ask for support!
Is there a good reason to bring it up one last time? Because I very much get the sense that you are more concerned about this than she is. I think most of us agree that it isn’t a big deal. They are not going to think she isn’t a dancer just because she doesn’t submit a video. She is writing about it and it’s her #1 activity. She is burned out, by your own admission. She isn’t applying for a dance major. And it’s her application. Please relax.
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Not a music parent, but couldn’t someone just send a video they have on their phone of a performance without extra production value?
I don’t think the student needs it - but it’s like dressing for an internal interview at work when work is casual.
If you wear a suit, they make fun of you. If you show up in jeans, you always wonder - did I make the right decision.
In the end, you might get teased (I have) for wearing a suit on Jeans Friday for an interview - but I got the job.
It’s always better to be over prepared than potentially under. I don’t think you are under prepared on this one but if the student has any doubt, why not share a two minute clip from a performance. No extra work? This way, you know, you didn’t let the opportunity slip by - and it is true, at some schools (schools that award merit, not sure if yours is one) it could potentially come with a gift.
But I’m thinking to use something already made, without spending time on it, so that the nerves of - should I have - can be put to rest.
I had two people (IRL) tell me the same thing when I was obsessing about something or other on my kid’s application. On the same day.
I was venting to a friend who had older kids-- who looked me square in the eye and said “Is this the hill you want to die on?” I stammered for a few minutes and then changed the subject.
And then a few hours later, my kids guidance counselor called me (at work! had never happened before) and brought up my issue (which my kid had reported back…) and said “I will take this up on your behalf once you tell me this is the hill you want to die on”.
So I thanked him for the call and hung up.
And then decided that indeed- this was NOT the hill.
If you are sensing that your kid is reaching the end of “patience rope” it’s time to let it go. Just drop the rope.
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Yep, what hill do we choose? 
Too bad I wasn’t reading this thread myself back in 2015.
Hindsight, amirite?