Chance a Musician for some reaches!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a high school senior, and I am a prospective college student. My grades and Standardized test scores are pretty bad, especially for these schools. Fortunately, I have some pretty nice EC's. Chance me for Yale, Brown, and Vassar! </p>

<p>The reason why I want to apply to these are:
a) Yale has the best music program of any university its caliber.
b) Brown has MEME (music+electronics), a field that I'm very interested in
c) Vassar is one of my favorite small liberal arts colleges (I found this by lurking on CC). </p>

<p>Race: Asian<br>
GPA: UW= 3.55 W= 3.90<br>
GPA Ranking: N/A
AP Scores: Chem (4), Euro (5), Music theory (5)
SAT 1: (Taken 3x) 1980, 2080, 2120
SAT 2: (only one from Freshman year, will be taking two more on 12/7) Bio E/M 680
ACT: 31</p>

<p>Senior Course Load: Jazz Band, AP Statistics, AP French, Gov/Econ, Public Speaking, Symphonic Band, English, Physics</p>

<p>Academic Awards:
AP Scholar</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Clarinet:
San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra (one of the top youth orchestras in the nation)
Young People's Symphony Orchestra (and YPSO 2012 Eastern European tour)
District Performing Arts Society
Stanford Youth Orchestra (Summer 2013)
San Francisco Symphony Instrument Training Program
High School Music Society (Artist in Residence)
High School Chamber Music Club (Founder)
Jazz Band principle clarinet
Symphonic Band principle clarinet
San Francisco Conservatory of Music Prep Division
Various 1st prizes from local concerto competitions
Various Summer youth orchestra/camp programs</p>

<p>Piano:
MTAC (Music Teachers' Association of California) CM Advanced level
MTAC CM Panelist
various MTAC scholarships
various 1st prizes from local competitions</p>

<p>Community Service:
Took clubs (Chamber Music Club/Music Society) to various senior homes for performances
Participated in District Music Society outings for charity performances
MTAC Page
MTAC Directory Assistant</p>

<p>Job Experience:
Taught younger children piano basics</p>

<p>Music Technologies:
reverse Composition</p>

<p>Also, if it does help, my family has hit a spot of financial difficulty that I had to learn how to wrestle - especially with the investment of a pair professional line clarinets</p>

<p>Yup. Lots of music-y stuff. My essays are in a nice shape and my arts supplements are very polished. I'm in the final phase right before submission. Thanks for the input!</p>

<p>Oh right: which scores should I use for these colleges? I understand that these three would like to see SAT II subject tests unless I take the ACT.</p>

2

<p>Bump. I need some input! Thanks!</p>

3

<p>Everything I am reading looks excellent! All of your academics and your ECs are impeccable!! You have an incredible shot at getting into these schools!
I wish I had some musical talent like you haha.
I wish you all the best, Good Luck! :)</p>

4

<p>Verdict:</p>

<p>Yale: High Reach
Brown: High Reach
Vassar: Middle/High Reach</p>

<p>As a resident of the Bay Area, I know that the SFSYO is very prestigious, and is even hailed as one of the best in the world. Yale and Brown are very, very, very difficult schools to get into, although considering your music talent, you may have a chance. This is same with Vassar, which is also a very selective school. From what I understand, Yale is very invested in the arts, and considering your interest in MEME, I think Brown is a nice choice. I’m not exactly sure about the arts at Vassar, but they do have a resident college orchestra. Try to shine with your music, because that is what will make you stand out from the legions of other applicants (although there are bound to be great musicians in the pool as well). Best of luck!</p>

5

<p>You definitely have some good EC’s that will make you a good candidate for those schools. You may be able to get into Vassar. However Yale and Brown may are really good schools and should be your really reach school. My reason for that is when you get to schools like those, you need a really good GPA and SAT/ACT. Your GPA and test scores are good but not exactly of the same caliber that Brown and Yale may be looking for. If you get good grades for your Senior year (try for all A’s), then you will have a MUCH better chance. Right now, I don’t think there is much you can do to change your test scores unless you are taking another one in December. I know the Orchestras that you are in are really amazing and I really thought that those could get you in alone. But these schools also do look other areas in addition to your EC’s. As of now, I would say you are almost there but if you give yourself a final push through Senior Year, Yale, Brown, or Vassar will probably be enjoying their new musician. :slight_smile: Good luck with your admissions and if you are willing, post your results. I’m curious to see what happens!</p>

6

<p>From what I’ve read, you’re really passionate and invested in an area (music), and that might just be the type of student that the Ivies want. You should seriously consider sending a music supplement if you’re that good. What pieces can you play on piano? I’m a pianist myself, and I’m considering sending in a music supplement too. Have you heard Mozart’s 12 Variations of Ah vous dirai-je maman? If so, can you do me a favor and tell me if it’s high-level enough to send to Brown and Harvard?</p>

7

<p>I will be sending them supplements! (I’ve recorded them and have sent them to Peabody already as of now). For Harvard, I’m a bit too scared to submit them.</p>

<p>Prepare for big list</p>

<p>Piano (Current, standard repertoire):
Prelude and Fugue in D Major Book 1, Well-Tempered Clavier (J.S. Bach)
Excursions No. 3 (S. Barber)
Ballade No. 4 in F minor Op. 52 (F. Chopin) < I have a very decent version.
Sonata in G Major Op. 31. No. 1 (L.V. Beethoven)
Transcendental Etude No. 10 in F minor (F. Liszt)</p>

<p>Clarinet:
Sonata for Bb Clarinet Op. 120, No. 2 (J. Brahms)
Clarinet Quintet Op. 115 (J. Brahms)
Clarinet Concerto in Eb Major, Op.36 (F. Krommer)
Clarinet Concerto in A K. 622 (W.A. Mozart)
Introduction, Theme, and Variations for Clarinet, (G. Rossini)
Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet (I. Stravinsky)
Concertino for Clarinet Op.26 (C.M.V. Weber)
Clarinet Concerto No.1 in F minor, Op.73 (C.M.V. Weber)</p>

8

<p>Yale: High Reach
Brown: High Reach
Vassar: Reach</p>

<p>Your ECs are impressive and I’m sure your music supplements will be great. I’m not sure, but I heard from a friend who was an intended music major that the programs are harder to get into because you have to be accepted by both the Music department and the college. Regardless, I think you’re a strong applicant–the only weak spot I see is your GPA. Best of luck to you!</p>

9

<p>Not so sure but i think it should be like this</p>

<p>Yale: High Reach
Brown: High Reach
Vassar: High Reach</p>

10

<p>If you can play Liszt’s Etude No 10 and Chopin, that’s pretty impressive.</p>