By Invitation Only · ~500 of 8,500 Applicants

The Video Statement

"Teach something to your cohort." Two minutes. Your face on camera. Recorded in the application portal. No do-overs. It's as nerve-wracking as it sounds — and far less polished than you'd expect.

2 min
Maximum length
In-App
Recorded in portal
~2 weeks
To submit after invite

What You Need to Know

The Prompt

The prompt is typically some variation of: "Teach us something — it can be anything." Past variations have included teaching your future cohort something they wouldn't otherwise learn. The key phrase is "teach." You're not performing. You're not pitching yourself. You're genuinely teaching something you care about.

Recording Mechanics

You record the video directly in the KHS application portal using your webcam. This is deliberate — they don't want professionally produced videos. You must show your face throughout. There's no editing capability. You get a limited number of attempts (the exact number may vary by year, but it's typically 2-3).

Why they do it this way: KHS wants authenticity, not production value. A polished, pre-recorded video would tell them nothing about who you actually are. The slight nervousness, the occasional stumble — those are features, not bugs.

The Anxiety is Normal

Nearly every scholar reports significant anxiety about the video. You've made it past 8,000 applicants on the strength of your writing, and now you need to show up as a human being on camera. The discomfort is universal. The committee knows this. They're not looking for a TED Talk. They're looking for a person.

What Successful Scholars Taught

Based on public interviews and blog posts from Knight-Hennessy Scholars. These topics were all successful.

Connected a physical skill to her family history and relationship with her grandfather, who was a fisherman in Southeast Asia. The knot-tying was the vehicle; the story of her family was the real lesson.
An engineer who played baseball used a simple ball to demonstrate the Magnus effect. Engaging because the explanation was clear, joyful, and you could tell he genuinely loved both physics and baseball.
A Peruvian scholar taught Quechua phrases that express concepts English simply can't capture. Worked because it revealed her cultural roots, her passion for indigenous language preservation, and her ability to communicate complex ideas simply.
A military veteran used a printed map as a prop and explained terrain features. The lesson naturally led into his experience as a platoon leader and why he was pursuing a policy degree. Authentic because it came from real expertise.

What NOT to Do

Don't give a resume walkthrough

They've already read your resume. Using 2 minutes to repeat it signals you don't understand the exercise.

Don't memorize a script

Reciting memorized text is visible instantly. Bullet points or a rough outline are fine. Word-for-word scripts are not.

Don't obsess over production quality

Don't spend hours finding the perfect background or lighting setup. Decent lighting and clear audio are enough. This is about you, not your setup.

Don't teach something you're not passionate about

If you choose a "safe" topic you don't actually care about, it will show. The committee can tell the difference between genuine enthusiasm and performance.

Don't try to be funny (unless you're actually funny)

Forced humor under pressure is painful to watch. Natural warmth and genuine personality are much more effective than attempted comedy.

Don't hide your face

Some applicants try to share screens or hold up slides. Your face needs to be visible throughout. Props are fine; disappearing behind them is not.

Practical Preparation Tips

1

Practice with a timer visible

2 minutes feels much shorter than you think. Practice until you can comfortably deliver your topic in 1:45, leaving a buffer.

2

Record practice videos on your phone

Watch them back. The first time you see yourself on video is always jarring — get that shock out of the way before the real recording.

3

Test your setup the day before

Check your webcam, microphone, lighting, and internet connection. Have a backup location ready in case of technical issues.

4

Choose a topic that connects to your story

The best videos teach something that naturally reveals who the applicant is. Your topic choice is itself a signal.

5

Simple props can help, but aren't required

A whiteboard, a physical object, a printed image — these can make your teaching more engaging. But a compelling person speaking directly to the camera is equally effective.

Next: Recommendation Letters

Your recommenders face a unique set of prompts and a 9-characteristic assessment. Brief them well.

Recommendation Guide →