<p>Hi,</p>
<p>My Junior S wants to major music at top universities. We considered for a long time between conservatory and university. If he apply to conservatory, no headache. But top university is different. He is one of the top level young string player and want to go to graduate school later. His average grade is A- and This year he is taking 3 APs (lang, Po & Go, Spanish). Now he is preparing SAT I. I know there are many music students who went to top universities in this CC. What SAT score is needed (of course, I know it depends on situation)? How many SAT II exam? How many APs? Because he must practice music, I do not know how we can balance between music and academic. I hope we can reduce the burden of academic as minimum. Thanks you.</p>
<p>I was in the same position several years ago. If your son truly is “one of the top level young string players” then the academic requirements will likely be bent a bit in terms of his admission to a top university School of Music. However, assuming that you are talking about schools like Rice and Northwestern for the SAT 1 he would probably need above a 2000 at the VERY MINIMUM. You would be much safer closer to a 2100. In terms of SAT II’s every school has a different requirement. He certainly should take them but some schools require certain categories of exams. Just make sure he takes exams that show off his academic strengths. In terms of the AP’s schools like to see as many as possible. Three might be the minimum depending on how many he has taken in previous years. Also if his non-AP classes this year are still challenging that will certainly help him. Let me know if you have any other specific questions :)</p>
<p>Thank you, violoncello. I will tell your advice to my son.
How about volunteer work? He has played at nursing home for a couple years. Do you think he must make more volunteer work just like more than 100 hrs? According to your comments, you looks like went to university. How about your music after a few years at university? Do you think it was a good decision? Even though we decided for university, some of friends told us that it might be very very hard to do music and academic together. Because he is the first one in my family who consider music as major, I have no idea.</p>