chance me for film/music schools

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Okay so I am currently a sophomore who is going to graduate in January 2021 (meaning 1.5 years early). I’m taking either the SAT w/ essay or the ACT w/ writing soon (haven’t decided) I’m also submitting to several contests for screenwriting and music soon. I am planning to do a few more things to make me a better candidate and get better EC’s, but this is me rn.

SAT: 1260 overall with 680 reading/writing and 580 math
GPA: 3.6
EC’s: I’ve been in choir for all of high school (currently in two choirs), I take music production classes at my local college, was in my school’s constitution team, took voice lessons, participated in an honor choir and testified at a Senate Committee hearing.

I’m planning on applying to:
UCLA (for screenwriting)
UCSD (for English)
USC (either popular music or screenwriting)
Loyola Marymount (for screenwriting)
Columbia Chicago (music)
NYU (recorded music)
New School (contemporary music)
Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (songwriting & performance)
CalArts (music)

2

I’m a little confused about the graduating 1.5 years early part. Would graduating after four years give you more time to acquire the kind of course rigor, GPA, test scores, and accomplishments your top choices want? My advice would be to stay in high school longer unless there is some compelling reason why you must graduate early.

Definitely enter Scholastic Art & Writing and Young Arts.

In terms of the schools on your list, I would say that UCLA, UCSD, USC, and NYU are going to be high reaches with a 3.6 and a 1260. For example, at NYU, the average GPA is 3.7+ and the median SAT for the class of 2023 was 1480. (This is another reason I might suggest staying in high school longer, because a 3.7 sounds like it is well within your reach.)

The New School may be test optional, which could be a plus if standardized tests don’t showcase your strengths.

Best wishes!