<p>I figured this goes here, but if not, please tell me!</p>
<p>Anyway, I've been hearing that one should only submit an arts supplement if you are truly national/internationally recognized on your instrument, especially for schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale. How true is this? Is this only true for the most popular of instruments (piano, violin, cello, etc.)?</p>
<p>I am a tuba player, and I am interested in submitting a supplement, however my ability is nowhere near the top pianists and violinists in my age group. Moreover, it is hard to stun people with the tuba. I consider myself pretty good, so would it hurt to send an arts supplement? Do schools like HYP like the novelty of rarer instruments? I'd appreciate your insight, thank you!</p>
<p>It’s hard so say because I really don’t know how good you really are. or how the rest of your resume is…</p>
<p>But, I will say just from observing some of the “non-standard” instrumentalists from my area, I think there is really a good chance for you at some of the top-tier schools. Tuba-players aren’t nearly as common as other instruments (the one’s you mentioned) which (sort of) creates a lower standard. If you indicate that you plan on continuing playing tuba in college orchestras/ensembles and that institution is in need of a tuba-player your chances become pretty high.</p>
<p>Duke is the only school I’ve seen that has a note on the Supplement saying only high-level students should apply (their wording is much scarier), in my opinion if they don’t say anything it can’t hurt you too much (there is the case that if your resume in text is so heavily music based, and if you turn out to not be very good in the supplement, your whole resume can fall aprt), if anything it shows dedication and appreciation for your craft (You’re a brass player- be loud and proud!)</p>
<p>The school you’re applying to also matters, look at the music programs of certain schools, or even worse- partner music programs. Schools like Harvard and Columbia have music programs that are affiliated with internationally recognized music arts institutions like the New England Conservatory and the Julliard School respectively. My fear is always that some inter-school music teachers can raise the standard dramatically at the partner schools.</p>
<p>Just my opinion, best of luck!</p>