In order for the instrument to be a hook, your kid would have to be in something like the Julliard pre-college program. A kid who simply plays an instrument is not a hook. Your child would have to be winning competitions, soloing with the orchestra, etc. We had a child who did this and he got a bit of a financial aid at his liberal arts college -- but it was in no way equivalent to the amount of money we spent on instruments, lessons, summer camp, driving him to New York for lessons, etc.

An instrument is not a hook. Dream on. A better option would be to get them on a sports team.

French Horn

A few years is not enough to develop enough skill to stand out.

Ugh - so distasteful to the child to tell them to get a new instrument just to get into college? Do you think they will love it enough to make a difference? I literally cannot imagine forcing my kid to play an instrument just for the college entrance.

--signed, mom of a musician whose child definitely wants to be good enough for conservatory.

Bassoon and organ are the only ones I’ve heard of as hooks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it was enough to be a hook, wouldn’t you then be applying to conservatories? Be careful what you hope for OP. What if your kid falls in love with the instrument after pouring his soul and every free hour of his life into what you think is a gimmick??

What is the problem with this?

Are you suggesting that a conservatory is a bad idea? Why?

Not the PP, but what kind of job opportunities are there after going to a conservatory?

Anonymous wrote:If it was enough to be a hook, wouldn’t you then be applying to conservatories? Be careful what you hope for OP. What if your kid falls in love with the instrument after pouring his soul and every free hour of his life into what you think is a gimmick??

What is the problem with this?

Are you suggesting that a conservatory is a bad idea? Why?

Seriously? Just get good grades and be a leader in something that you ARE interested in. If your kid gets admitted based on some kind of gimmick, you aren't doing them any favors.

It all depends on which instrument the individual college needs and that varies from school to school and year by year. No way to anticipate.

At 10 or 11 or 12, if they aren't passionate about instrument A the odds of them being passionate about instrument B are about 5%.

My guess is the odds are even lower but mathematically, it doesn't take many kids who are begging to change instruments to hit 5%.

Is he begging?

"DS plays the violin now but not passionate about it,"

If it was enough to be a hook, wouldn’t you then be applying to conservatories? Be careful what you hope for OP. What if your kid falls in love with the instrument after pouring his soul and every free hour of his life into what you think is a gimmick?

Organ is the only one I've ever heard of.

Probably not -- many students take violin.

Think obscure marching band instruments, but that only works if you're going to a school with a band program (they are huge and need lots of students).

Even better, help your child find something they ARE passionate about.

what would be a niche instrument for an otherwise average student to improve the odds a bit? DS plays the violin now but not passionate about it, but we're still a few years away so there's time to develop a niche. i think.