Top 30 schools / SLACs where music could be a "hook"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a massive hook for Pomona

that was true 5 yrs ago, not now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a massive hook for Pomona

that was true 5 yrs ago, not now.

DP. Pomona clearly values creativity and considers artistic supplementals in admissions. It can certainly help and tip the scales for an otherwise qualified applicant.

https://www.pomona.edu/admissions/apply/arts-supplements

[Anonymous]

Every school with music groups needs musicians. It’s a plus but one many students bring. To be a hook you’d need Julliard level musicianship and an audition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a massive hook for Pomona

that was true 5 yrs ago, not now.

What evidence do you have for 5 years ago? This was said by an AO a few months ago that visited DS’s hs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Swarthmore desperately needs trumpet players. They are losing their entire trumpet section at the end of this year.

My daughter was the only accepted student from her high school into Swarthmore. She submitted a Music portfolio and is double majoring in music and mathematics.

OK but Swarthmore is only a good pick for a certain kind of highly quirky kid. And you have to live with massive construction that won't be done until 2030.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swarthmore desperately needs trumpet players. They are losing their entire trumpet section at the end of this year.

My daughter was the only accepted student from her high school into Swarthmore. She submitted a Music portfolio and is double majoring in music and mathematics.

OK but Swarthmore is only a good pick for a certain kind of highly quirky kid. And you have to live with massive construction that won't be done until 2030.

OP didn’t ask for a college that everyone loves

[Anonymous]

Wesleyan has a strong music department.

[Anonymous]

I think it could help at any school that accepts music supplements as part of the application. I think it helped my DD with her SLAC applications last year. Look on the music department website to see what ensembles are available. Less common instruments like French horn, bassoon, etc might be a bigger bump than violin. An orchestra might also happen to need a particular instrument and the director will inform admissions. Record your supplement the summer before senior year - it takes more time than you would think

[Anonymous]

Every top school has to staff glee clubs, barber shop quartets and other a capella groups, orchestras, pep bands, etc. They need musicians and they don't have to be world-class level.

[Anonymous]

My DC submitted music supplements and I’m confident it helped with their good results. In several cases someone from the school music department reached out and indicated they were in touch with the AO. Not as good as a sports recruit, but it definitely moved the needle. Don’t bother with schools that have a stand alone music school like Northwestern or Vanderbilt, and Yale is tough too because they attract an “artsy” student so there is more competition there. Accepted to all but 2 of 12 places, including 2 of HYPS and 2 other Ivies. As stated above, they need to populate all the music groups, so they look for people of can fill those roles.

[Anonymous]

What about students who play non classical instruments - such as electric guitar?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about students who play non classical instruments - such as electric guitar?

Search the college paper for references to rock bands and battle of the bands contests.

If the student talks sincerely about wanting to help run something e that, maybe that would appeal to a college.

To some extent, admissions officers are hiring people who will keep beloved student organizations going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about students who play non classical instruments - such as electric guitar?

Plenty of schools offer ensembles in non-classical instruments -- most commonly in jazz bands, which all can use electric guitars (if the player plays jazz). Some might have other ensembles or big theatre programs that require pit orchestras. Look at what ensembles/programs the music department lists, and what the music supplement asks for, and that will give you a clue as to whether music in your DC's case will be move from a typical EC to something the school really wants. Can your DC provide a recording/video showing skill at what they are asking for? Is your DC interested only in playing guitar, or also studying music (so, for example, have they taking AP or IB Music Theory and can legitimately say they plan to engage in x, y, or z classes in the Music Dept when they get to a school)? Music is a great EC no matter what, but it becomes a hook if the applicant can demonstrate that they offer something the school says it's looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC submitted music supplements and I’m confident it helped with their good results. In several cases someone from the school music department reached out and indicated they were in touch with the AO. Not as good as a sports recruit, but it definitely moved the needle. Don’t bother with schools that have a stand alone music school like Northwestern or Vanderbilt, and Yale is tough too because they attract an “artsy” student so there is more competition there. Accepted to all but 2 of 12 places, including 2 of HYPS and 2 other Ivies. As stated above, they need to populate all the music groups, so they look for people of can fill those roles.

What were overall stats? Imagine stats were in range but this tipped them over?

[Anonymous]

Top grades and rigor. 1540 SAT. So yes, in range but the music was extra. Extensive musical resume but otherwise fairly standard ECs, newspaper, varsity sports. The music professors took it very seriously, either meeting in person on a visit or via zoom.