Art Supplements: To send or not to send?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Here are Harvard's guidelines for any supplementary materials including art, music, and research:</p>

<p>"...supplementary materials are not required or expected -- and should be sent only if the applicant's work is unusually advanced."</p>

<p>What is your definition for "unusually" advanced?
I worked very very hard this summer on my instrument and plan to make a recording; my instrument is of great significance to me because I devoted so much of my time to it this summer.
The recording may not be super impressive in terms of technicalities, but is in my opinion very musical.
To an admissions committee member not so knowledgeable about music, however, mere technicalities may be the only way to gauge "unusual skills."</p>

<p>Should I risk not being considered 'unusually skilled" in which case sending a recording could possibly even work against me? What is "unusually skilled" in music anyway?...
How "unusually skilled" can a high schooler (well, with only a few exceptions) really be? Also, how well-versed in music is the Admissions office to say that they can distinguish "unusually" skilled from "very skilled?" Especially in something so wide and open to interpretations like MUSIC, or just simply, ART?</p>

2

<p>Check the thread you made on Yale. :)</p>

3

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<p>The admissions committee does not evaluate artistic supplement work. It’s sent to the appropriate faculty–if you send some film samples or slides of paintings, it will be members of the VES department faculty or perhaps grad students looking at and scoring your work. Ditto for music samples (which will go to the music faculty).</p>

4

<p>You may assume that a large percentage of the applicants have musical talent</p>

<p>You may assume that a great many of these are talented enough to have applied to conservatories and that most will submit supplements</p>

<p>You may assume that there will be thousands of musical supplements submitted by this year’s applicants</p>

<p>You may assume the musical supplements will be passed along to the music dept or ensemble leaders for evaluation</p>

<p>You may assume that they know what “unusually advanced” means</p>

<p>You may assume that if your supplement will not compare favorably to a Conservatory pre-audition submission, it will not be considered “unusually advanced”</p>

<p>It is an open question whether a sub par submission will harm your application. </p>

<p>It is certainly possible that it could:</p>

<p>Either

  1. because you don’t know what “unusually skilled” means in something you are supposedly passionate about or
  2. because it could diminish the impact of the passion shown in your application (you may be passionate, but you aren’t talented), or
  3. because you can’t follow instructions. </p>

<p>Some elite schools point blank say it will. Others at least imply it will not. Harvard has not been so blunt either way.</p>

<p>If your music’s place in your application is all about your passion - then just write about.
If it also demonstrates some extraordinary talent - then submit the supplement.</p>

<p>FWIW</p>

<p>working very hard on your instrument “this summer” and having something that is “in your opinion”, “very musical” sounds rather underwhelming when trying to judge “unusally advanced”</p>

<p>FWIW2
“my instrument is of great significance to me because I devoted so much of my time to it this summer” is not going to be a compelling basis for demonstrating a “passion”</p>

5

<p>Art supplement is mainly to give a more “humanistic” aspect of your application. If you won many competitions, then I definitely recommend that you send in a recording to show how talented you are. If you feel that you’re an outstanding performer from the many applicants, then definitely do so. But, if you’re just an average performer that doesn’t really compete, then I do not recommend you to do so. Also, be aware that most of the people who get in for music tend to be national or international winners in the respective fields.</p>

6

<p>Second exactly what WindCloudUltra and jsungoh said. I’ve seen different attitudes from different colleges regarding art supplements, ranging from “Don’t send us anything unless you’ve won national or international awards” (Yale, an admissions officer) to something along the lines of “we would love to see what you do in your free time” (Dartmouth, online webinar), so it comes down to your own call :).</p>

<p>Depending on the instrument, awards along with participation in activities like school band, area or regional music groups can all testify to your skill and level of dedication.</p>

7

<p>I think you know if you’re “good enough” to send or not. Simple as that.</p>