<p>I play the bass, and was wondering if it was easier to get into top schools [HYP, etc] because I play an instrument that is in need [I looked at some school's orchestra pages and some have less than 5. ideally there's 6-8]. I consider myself qualified to play in college [principal of my youth orchestra for 2 yrs, my solo pieces are quite difficult, but I won't list them since 1% of CCers would know what I'm talking about]. I'm also sending in a recording.
Could this give me a leg up in admissions? (my stats are probably a little below the average applicant)</p>
<p>i think it'll only help you if you're applying to some music major or music school within a university. It'll be a nice extracurricular to have but it won't give you a boost if you send in a recording and you're applying to some english or science major, understand? Still great extracurriculars to have though, it'll only help based on your major.</p>
<p>Please take a look at the thread here and follow the additional links within the thread bodies as well. Pick and choose the info that defines your skill level and talent. </p>
<p>All-state selections, yo & hs principal chairs will not be a factor in HYPS type admissions. These institutions abound with conservatory and above level talent. </p>
<p>It an be a plus in some smaller programs.</p>
<p>Violadad, I've read through those threads and realize how sending in an arts supplement will only REALLY help if the level of playing is very high. But at Yale [<a href="http://yso.research.yale.edu/musicians/%5D%5B/url">http://yso.research.yale.edu/musicians/][/url</a>] there are 5 bassists in the orchestra. You understand that in a normal size orchestra, there are 6-8 basses. This instrument is under-represented at Yale, so could the music department tell the admissions officer that I'm needed there, and that could raise my chances? I'm assuming that the admissions officers forward any music supplements to the music department anyway, since they have a better idea of how to "grade" the applicants.
If I played violin or flute, I understand that I would have 0.00000000000001% chance of the supplement having any effect because those are very competitive instruments that thousands of kids play. Not nearly as many play bass into college.</p>
<p>I have not made any allstate groups, but my music director has challenged the decisions [I tend to get really unstable at auditions, but my recording is 5x better]. He supports me a lot, and could write an amazing recommendation.</p>
<p>Also, Stanford only has 3 basses. [<a href="http://www.stanford.edu/group/sso/musicians/%5D%5B/url">http://www.stanford.edu/group/sso/musicians/][/url</a>]
Do you understand what I mean?</p>
<p>I do not plan on majoring in music.</p>
<p>i'd say you need to approach this like an athlete. Contact your music director, perhaps ask for a rec, ask him to get in contact with music directors at yale and stanford to see if basses there are actually underrepresented, and ask your director to also send in a recording of you. </p>
<p>HOWEVER, the demand for great athletes if much much higher than the demand for musicians. So i'm not sure how truly willing they will be to help you in the admissions process just for a bassist.</p>
<p>If you follow violadad's thought process, which I agree with, if Yale is short of any instrument they will have admissions seek a conservatory level musician. And given the the depth and breadth of their pool, it will be no problem to find one.</p>
<p>bassplaya, in your case, given the potential paucity of your instrument of choice at the schools you mention, it may not hurt to try. It may be worth a small datapoint, but in all probability will not sway your admissions decision at the type of school you've indicated.</p>
<p>Trust me, I know quite well the level of talent among the various Yale undergrad instrumental ensembles. And while not necessarily the norm, it is not unusual to fill a needed spot with a "ringer" from Yale SOM, a grad level program not to be confused with Yale's undergrad music program.</p>
<p>It could work to your advantage at any number of programs beyond the Ivys, but it is by no means an "in" anywhere.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I would guess that playing bass is definitely a factor in admissions. I was recently admitted to columbia ED with much lower stats than some of the people who got deferred but I sent in a music supplement of me playing jazz and classical and also sent in a resume including being principal at All-State, going to All-Eastern etc. The admissions officer mentioned my bass playing in a little note they sent out after the decision so I'm sure it factored into it.</p>
<p>Being a bass player surely won't hurt your application. However, don't believe for a second that looking at the roster of the orchestra will be any good indicator of a program's "need". And even so, both the Yale School of Music and the undergrad music department both hold very highly esteemed reputations nationally (and in the Graduate School's case, internationally) and I am sure that there are far more interested and qualified talent than the program can take in, no matter what the instrument.</p>
<p>sure. it can only help. dont see how this could negatively affect your chances. especially if yale is in need.</p>
<p>same goes for athletics. yale need a goalie, you're a goalie, its a win win situation.</p>