American Morning
Are You Smart? College essays via YouTube videos
Editor's Note: Think you're smart? That depends on what it means to be smart. And how do you become smart – if you're not there yet? This week, in our special series "Are You Smart?" our Alina Cho takes an in-depth look at all aspects of intelligence.
By Alina Cho, CNN
(CNN) – We all know that the college admissions process is competitive. You have to be smart, have good grades, good SAT scores, and if you're applying to Tufts University – a personal video can help too. It's actually part of the application.
So does a YouTube video measure a different kind of smart? You be the judge.
Tufts University near Boston is now accepting personal videos as part of the application process, among the first in the nation to do so. The videos do not replace essays, grades or SATS, but are meant as a supplement. The videos are not required, but students are getting into it.
Already almost 1,000 students have taken part out of the 15,000 applications submitted. Some on YouTube have been viewed by thousands. The videos demonstrate creativity in animation, wilderness survival skills, and in Rhaina Cohen's case, a twist on a familiar phrase: "walk a mile in my shoes."
Meals get bigger in 52 'Last Supper' works
(CNN) – Has the meal in the "Last Supper" reached biblical proportions?
Two brothers, both college professors, think so. Using computer technology they compared the size of Jesus and his disciples to the size of their food.
And what they found is that in more than 50 of the paintings over the last 1,000 years the food got bigger and bigger with the main dish growing by 70-percent.
The study was published in April's International Journal of Obesity. Craig Wansink, the co-author of the study and a professor of religious studies at Virginia Wesleyan College, joined us on Wednesday's American Morning.
Obama, Netanyahu meet behind closed doors
(CNN) – It's being called a moment of truth for Mideast peace, a meeting that could set the tone for the next three years or more.
President Obama sat down for a long, hard talk with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Our Jill Dougherty reports on one of the most tense times between the two allies.
Dr. Gupta answers your health care reform questions
(CNN) – It's not just President Obama's big idea anymore, it's the law. You have plenty of questions about health care reform and we have answers. Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta answered some of them on Wednesday's American Morning.
Toyota claims car software is 'bug free'
(CNN) – It's a burning question Toyota can't seem to escape: is it an electronic problem that's causing their cars to accelerate out of control?
The automaker denies it. Of course, if electronics are to blame, it could cost Toyota billions to repair every recalled vehicle. Our Deb Feyerick reports on the challenge of getting to the bottom of the sudden acceleration issue.
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