<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>
<p>If you only played an instrument this one summer I am going to assume you are not of great caliber like others who have played it longer. Therefore I would not send it. If you are an exceptional musician you should definitely send the supplement it would only help you in your admissions. The art supplements are not reviewed by those in admissions. They would send your music supplement to the music department for review.</p>
<p>spicytunaroll didn’t say that he or she only played the instrument for one summer…lol…</p>
<p>Anyways, I would send in the recording if you honestly think you are an excellent musician. I assume that since you devoted so much time to it, you have to be a decent player. </p>
<p>Anyways, excuse me for doing this, but I’d like to hijack the thread with two questions.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Do I send in the Arts Supplement to show schools my musical talent even though I don’t plan on majoring in music or anything remotely close to it?</p></li>
<li><p>Since Harvard has a section on their supplement for musical abilities, I do not have to send in the Arts Supplement as well, do I?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>As a fellow musical soul I wish I could submit a recording that shows my passion for music…Unfortunately, I’ve come to the understanding that “unusually advanced” does refer more to the “few exceptions” that you mentioned. (I hate the word hobby, though - it makes interests seem more shallow but that’s just how adcom looks at it.)</p>
<p>Here’s an excerpt from a UChi admissions counselor:</p>
<p>“…there is no need to send in a supplement in the arts unless your submission reflects an extraordinary level of talent. While it’s great to hear that students are interested in arts, music, etc. extracurricularly or as a hobby, you’re still welcome to let us know about this somewhere on your application without sending a supplement; I tend to suggest that students only submit a supplement if it is an activity for which 1. written documentation does not do the skill justice and 2. the student has been recognized at at least the regional, if not the state or national level, for the skill.”</p>
<p>If she applies to Harvard my daughter will be sending in an arts supplement. I know that Harvard and some other schools (such as Yale) seem to discourage art supplements, but the way we look at it is that it is so difficult to get into a school such as Harvard that we should do everything we can to increase the possibility of acceptance. The reality is that it will likely not make enough of a difference one way or the other. But, we do think that the possibility of it helping her application is greater than the possibility that it will hurt and so it makes sense to us to submit it.</p>
I wish I could submit a recording that shows my passion for music…Unfortunately, I’ve come to the understanding that “unusually advanced” does refer more to the “few exceptions” that you mentioned. (I hate the word hobby, though - it makes interests seem more shallow but that’s just how adcom looks at it.)</p>