<p>Hi,
I go to a school with one of the best jazz bands in the country(we consistently get first in national competitions) and I've been noticing a bunch of seniors get into great schools with really low gpa's. One person got into USC and one to UCLA both with 3.2 gpa's. One of those people said that he planned on switching majors once he got to the school. Now I am not as good as these players but I would be willing to invest a lot more time into my instrument(drums) if this was a possibility to get me into some high reach schools. So, is this possible? Are their any problems with this that I'm not seeing? Thanks!</p>
<p>Also, the one problem I can see would be that switching majors could be tricky, so would you be able to apply as a double major and just discontinue one of them?</p>
<p>It depends on how the schools are structured. Usually, but not always, changing from a specialized major to something in the general arts and science is not a problem. But some schools that have very compartmentalized schools within them (School of Business, School of Engineering, School of Music, School of Arts and Sciences) and switching among them can be tricky and competitive. Especially into a specialized school or one with limited spots. Getting into a school of engineering or business, for instance could be a competitive process at many colleges. So you do have to call and ask. </p>
<p>Thanks! </p>
<p>Now I have one follow up to my previous question… If I were to apply as a double major(if this is even possible) would I be able to just drop out of the music major? In that case I wouldn’t even have to worry about transferring correct? I’m very new to this so excuse me if this is a stupid question.</p>
<p>It seems you plan on riding on the reputation of your jazz band, but it’s not just being a member of the jazz band that will get you in, it’s your individual performance. The kids that got in probably submitted a music supplement/audition tapes and were accepted for their individual music talent, not just because they were part of a winning ensemble. Being part of the ensemble helps, yes, but it’s the individual performance that really counts.</p>
<p>In short, being in Louis Armstrong’s band does not make you Louis Armstrong.</p>
<p>Your screen name says it all. I would add that most of the “high reach” schools for jazz are not “high reach” for academics or have little to none at all.</p>
<p>I might have been giving off that tone because I am not at that level yet. But I do have all of the tools/resources to get to that point. It would just take more effort than I am giving right now. And don’t let this come off the wrong way, because I love music, I just have many other things I love too that it falls short of a few other things. Now if It could be an asset to my college apps I would definitely enjoy putting more work into it. Which Is why I am asking the question in the first place.</p>
<p>Thanks saintfan… I’m not 100% sure what you’re trying to say though. I don’t really care how good of a jazz program they have. Are you saying that any schools that would take any weight in my musical abilities wouldn’t be great academic schools? </p>
<p>Actually, the opposite in large part. Some of the strongest jazz programs are housed at conservatories that don’t offer other majors to transfer to and at institutions that are not academic reaches for a reasonably strong student (ore even the decent student). Getting in academically is the easy part. I guess Oberlin and Northwestern would be exceptions but if you apply to Oberlin conservatory you cannot switch to general academics without having been accepted to the liberal arts college. They are separate. If you want to do a dual degree you must be admitted to both.</p>
<p>Most non-conservatory institutions require that you be admitted to the regular university before applying to the music school. If you absolutely knock their socks off there might be appeals from the music department back to the academic admissions, but jazz drum set is a harder sell for special dispensation - it is generally a niche that is oversubscribed.</p>
<p>If you are actually talking about USC and you actually succeeded in navigating the admissions process are you saying that you would bail on the opportunity to study with Peter Erskine to pursue you other interests? </p>
<p>If this is the case and that all came to pass would you feel no sense of having taken a rare spot under false pretenses?</p>
<p>Could you afford to attend w/o a music scholarship? If you were awarded one and dropped it would be lost.</p>
<p>Thanks… I only really mentioned usc because someone at my school got in with a 3.2 gpa. I think that usc might be a stretch for my musical talents. Although it would be the perfect school for me:(. Like I said, I love music but I know it is not what I want to do for a living. Now for schools that don’t have a well renowned Jazz program that might be tricky for me to get into, like Pitt for example. It has a great Athletic Training program that I would love to be in. So if I don’t do well on my standardized testing could I try out for their music program and then switch to AT? </p>
<p>I guess I’m wondering more about the above average but not best of the best schools.</p>
<p>Thanks Again</p>
<p>A quick google tells me that Pitt does not offer performance degrees only BA in Music and it is a non-audition program. Your best bet would be to call and find out, but based on that is seems unlikely to give an edge since no audition of any kind seems to be required. Their admissions criteria seem pretty cut and dried and fairly stringent. SAT ranges middle 50% math 620-730 and CR 590-720 they even recommend repeat testing and summer school to strengthen you academic resume. A school that ‘values’ music performance more might be more flexible but Pitt doesn’t look like that kind of school.</p>
<p><a href=“First-Year Student - Admissions | University of Pittsburgh”>https://oafa.pitt.edu/apply/admissions-process/freshmen/</a></p>
<p>Thank! So, it sounds like it is a possibility with some schools, just they might not be the right schools for me. So I just have to look into it when I’m looking at school. Is that correct?</p>
<p>Thanks again</p>
<p>Yes - it is possible but seems unlikely. Look at admissions requirements to the school of music in particular. Like I said though, audition admission is a stringent process and not for the feint of heart. In the USC example one might actually say that Thornton is harder to get into than the university in general. It might be easier to raise your SAT scores. There are quite a few liberal arts colleges that offer athletic training degrees and value music as an extracurricular tip to add to the general mix of the college. That might be a direction to look. Your talent and level of seriousness might not meet the music performance bar but it still might be an attractive attribute in a holistic admission process that many LACs favor.</p>
<p>Since performance slots are among the most difficult slots to obtain in any college, this seems like a rather convoluted way to get in, and then you want to just drop it?</p>
<p>Quite frankly, this just smells like a bad idea all the way, and probably won’t even work. You aren’t just going to be able to practice your way up to the level required in the amount of time you have - it just doesn’t work that way. I suggest you find another way to get where you want that doesn’t rake a valuable spot from someone who wants it for what’s intended.</p>
<p>It is possible at many schools, however, if you get a scholarship from music school, it is not likely to transfer it after you change your major. Also, you may need to meet certain requirement to apply for internal transfer. I know one student actually do music performance and biology double major so she could keep the scholarship and graduate in 5 years with a dual degree.</p>