<p>When applying to a conservatory/music school within a university, how much does it matter if your test scores are below the published range? I am thinking of places like USC/Thornton and Rice/Shepherd. My D is currently in 11th grade. Her PSAT score is 233, her SAT score is 2260 (800 / 670 / 790), and so far her two AP scores are AP Calculus BC 5 and AP Music Theory 5. She has been homeschooled all the way through, and would like to major in instrumental performance. Does anyone have any thoughts/advice for us? If she needs to take any other tests, we should probably start thinking about that now.</p>
<p>Her scores look excellent to me. What scores are you worried about? Just to clarify…</p>
<p>The math SAT score is maybe a bit below the published range, although some people have told us that her 5 in Calc BC makes up for that. But for the places where you have to get into the college/university first, then audition for the music school, I don’t know how much this matters/will affect her chances of getting through that hurdle.</p>
<p>Those scores are excellent. One thing about being homeschooled is that it buys you a little extra attention from admissions departments, which is generally a good thing.</p>
<p>For Rice/Shepherd you do not have to be any where near the normal range for academic acceptance. They do it the other way around. First you get accepted based on audition. Then they review academics to see if you can succeed in the classes before offering you a spot. For DD’s class, most music majors were in the 25 or lower percentile. With some good AP and those scores, Rice would be no problem if the audition is passed.</p>
<p>Thank you all. And to the person who PM’d me, I wanted to reply but I haven’t posted enough yet to do so. I guess I’ll have to post a bit more and then I can respond!</p>
<p>Other possibilities on D’s list include Oberlin, Bard, and Eastman.</p>
<p>For Oberlin, your daughter has the option of applying for only the Conservatory, or for both the Conservatory and the College for the 5 year BM/BA program. They are seperate applications.Accetance at one does not mean acceptance at the other. While the Conservatory does care about grades and scores since Conservatory students do take some courses in the College, the primary factor is the audition. Your D’s scores and grades look fine for the College.</p>
<p>Her grades are fine as of now. I know of an excellent flutist from CIM, in the 5 yr BM/MM program, who was homeschooled and was considered a very interesting candidate by top schools precisely because of that.
If your D is interested in a dual degree, take a look at CIM/Case Western.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone, particularly @Mezzo’sMama, for the suggestions. It’s in the nature of the homeschooler to keep asking and checking, so I appreciate the help.</p>