question music as an extracurricular on the common app

[Anonymous]

If your college bound DC is in band, orchestra, or chorus, and it meets during the the school day and he/she receives a grade and course credit for it, does it still go on the common app as an "extra curricular," or is that double dipping? I know that music outside school would be worthy of mention, but what if DC's only participation is through school in elective courses?

[Anonymous]

Just answer the question asked. If the class meets during the day for credit, it's by definition not "extra curricular." WTH?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just answer the question asked. If the class meets during the day for credit, it's by definition not "extra curricular." WTH?

But often Orchestra and Band and chorus ALSO meet after school and have concerts outside of school time. I think is it a valid question as it is a mix of school time and afterschool time. Same goes for theatre arts- is a class and has after school practices and performances.

[Anonymous]

I'd put it as EC only if it requires lots of time outside class.

BTW, some colleges let you upload electronic files of yourself playing or link to YouTube videos of your music on the application.

[Anonymous]

If DC is graded, its not extra-curricular. The schools will see his transcript and know he chose music. I agree with the others that if there are substantial rehearsals after school (not just performances, or one or two extra sessions) you could count it, otherwise, no.

[Anonymous]

I'd count it as an EC (and my kid isn't involved in music). Presumably there is practice required out of school, and performances out of class time.

[Anonymous]

OP again. I think it would count if DC were taking private lessons and learning repertory outside of school, but mine is not doing that anymore, against my advice!! And DC goes to a small private that doesn't send kids to "all state" programs. So I think I agree with you all who said that school music groups don't go on the common app.

[Anonymous]

I've never been an admission's officer, but I would certainly hope this won't make any difference either way. The college will get the point that the kid plays and instrument well enough to play in a high school group eiand that's fine for what it is. If the child was a musical superstar or spending a lot of time outside of school in organized music activiities, those would show up separately or the student would make a supplemental admission. Maybe I'm naive, but this is one not worth stressing about.

[Anonymous]

It will make zero difference to list it as an EC and if anything seem desperate to come up with something to list. There really isn't much space on the Common App, so really most kids have the reverse problem, fitting summer activities/jobs/clubs/sports etc into the small space. No college is going to really care if your kid plays in the band or orchestra as a high school class, the music activities matter if the kid is playing at a high level outside of school (regional or city-wide orchestras, youth choirs/orchestras, private study with evidence of high level achievement via a submitted recording or major awards).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will make zero difference to list it as an EC and if anything seem desperate to come up with something to list. There really isn't much space on the Common App, so really most kids have the reverse problem, fitting summer activities/jobs/clubs/sports etc into the small space. No college is going to really care if your kid plays in the band or orchestra as a high school class, the music activities matter if the kid is playing at a high level outside of school (regional or city-wide orchestras, youth choirs/orchestras, private study with evidence of high level achievement via a submitted recording or major awards).

This is true for the most selective colleges and performance at a national level is probably what got DC into a highly selective college. However I do think that listing more ECs is always better, even just alongside DC's 10 leadership positions, and especially if you're scrambling for something to list. Despite the current college admissions fad for "passion," listing a music EC alongside your passion for computer programming might set you apart from that other computer programming applicant. (This is not to say that OP should make up ECs if, after careful thought, she decides they are not really ECs.)

FWIW, a member of the music faculty at a respected liberal arts university told me that Admissions Offices almost never forward recordings for evaluation by the music faculty, and most music faculties don't have time to listen to hundreds of recordings anyway. So I'm going to guess that it's the title of the recording -- DC's solo at the Kennedy Center, DC's composition is performed in a respected venue-- that does all the vetting that's going to happen in the Admissions process