Reply to Settle an argument- playing an instrument appealing for college entrance?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I’m with you, OP. A long time playing an instrument shows commitment, roundedness, and a bit of culturedness. By itself it’s not much unless super-talented, but as part of a package it’s an enhancement.

Tell us more why you’re arguing about this. Does your child want to quit and you don’t want him to?[/quote]

Yes, DC wants to quit; Since I bought the instrument and paid for the lessons this year,  I advised her that she had to play for the rest of the school year- finish Elementary school.  I hate fighting, I think I’ll give up this battle. I know she won’t be playing in college never mind high school.[/quote]
I think it is worth having her finish out the year just from a character building perspective.

[b]Playing an instrument is not that important for college unless you are amazing[/b]. Perhaps there are some benefits for the brain for playing an instrument?[/quote]

See bold. Speaking here about kids who do NOT plan to major in their instrument: How the instrument affects admissions depends entirely on what the college is, what the student is doing, and not necessarily on the student being "amazing." Yes, colleges ooh and ah over someone who has won awards and been in all the competitive extracurricular orchestras or bands etc. even if that person's not a music major. But my DD's HS orchestra director, who should know, says there is also value to colleges in seeing that a student stuck with an instrument for years and through high school, even if that student isn't getting awards in competitions.

She also notes that, even if a kid does not plan to major in music, if a kid plays a relatively unusual instrument that college orchestras might need, that can help sway a college a bit. Good double bass player going for a double bass music major at a music college? Very competitive. Good double bass player going for a biology degree at a smaller college without a huge music program but with a strong college orchestra? If that player stresses that he or she would love to commit to play bass while studying bio there, yeah, that can help with admissions. It won't negate poor scores or poor grades, but it could help a bit. 
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