Chances, but confused as well

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>See, my mom and uncle want me to look at Rice for music performance (voice) but I'm not 100% sure the school is for me. Say I have chances, though, I'll look into it. Before I even consider looking into the school, do I Have any chance in anyone's opinion, or is it not worth it and shoudl i just look at ze good old safeties? lol...yeah, this is somewaht pathetic...</p>

<p>9th grade: gpa = 3.64(uw)/3.90(w) Rank = 88/290 (w)
10th grade: gpa=3.793(uw)/3.999(w) Rank = 55/317(w) and 44/317 (uw)
11th grade: gpa=3.80(uw)/4.059(W) Rank = 42/317 (w) and 34/317 (uw)
12th grade: </p>

<p>Hon speech/comp (Ap english was cancelled)
Hon Spanish (does not offer AP)
AP gov/econ
Hon Physics
Hon trig/college algebra
Chamber choir
Jazz Choir
Microsoft Office</p>

<p>I just got updated: gpa = 3.78 (uw)/4.079(w)
Rank! = 46 (w)/49 (uw)...yeah, bad first nine weeks hehe</p>

<p>SAT: 1680
ACT: took in October. Predicted a 31, BUt, i got a 25...I AM MAD (oh well what can you do?)
SAT subjects: taking in november/december: spanish + math level 1</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: (volunteer, community service, etc.)</p>

<p>*G.L.S.E.N. board member (only high school board member in the Pittsburgh area)
*Barbershop workshop in November, 2004
*Jr. Mendelssohn Choir (grades 9, 10)-very very selective (400 audition, 50 get in)
()Performed w/Pittsburgh Symphony
*Piano for 11 years
*Chorus for 8 years
*Jazz choir/club (extremely selective)- 11th/12th grade
() Performed @ PNC Park (Pittsburgh's baseball stadium)
* Performed Nat'l Anthem at football games and baseball games (solooo)
*Literary magazine-10th grade
*All-Star Choir (one in 15 get selected I heard)- grade 12
()Perform w/Westmoreland Philharmonic Orchestra
*County chorus-grade 12
*Classical Singers Competition in Philadelphia-2006
*Cantoring for high holidays (Rosh Hashana/Yom Kippur) at Temple-grade 11/12
*Orchestra (piano) - 9th grade (volunteer)
*People to People Student Ambassador program - grade 7 (but it's significant)
() Promotes peace and cultural networking.
*Apprenticeship w/Pittsburgh Opera-grade 12
*Voice lessons (3 years)
*Volunteer accompanist for all school choruses (before/after school)
(Grades 9,10)
*Social Action Committee at my Temple- grade 11/12
<> Co-founded and leader
*National Honors Society- grade 12 only allowed
*Peer tutoring for science and spanish- grade 12 only allowed
*Anime Club-grade 9
*Amnesty International- grade 12
*Gay Straight Alliance- grade 10, 12
*Fantasy/Creative Writing Club- grade 12
*Temple Youth Group- grade 9, 10
*Played piano at Christmas pilgrimages 2 years in a row-grade 9, 10
*Volunteer piano player for choruses-grade 9, 10
*Temple Emanu-El Israel Youth Group-grades 9,10 (3 hrs/week)
*Summer course @ Brown University!!-Summer 2006</p>

<p>Thank you if you read this :D</p>

2

<p>I don't usually do chances, but I would be very concerned about your SAT/ACT scores, which are way below the 25% level for Rice. Your GPA is fine, although it's hard to tell how hard your courseload was. And your ranking is fairly low, outside the 10% range. It doesn't appear that there are any outstanding EC's or other circumstances that would make up for these deficiencies.</p>

3

<p>okay you're lucky they dont look at ranking.....</p>

<p>your ec's are sporadic....your SAT is low...your ACT is low....but you show passion?</p>

<p>idk...</p>

4

<p>Normally, I would be concerned about standardized test scores and GPA, but since you would be applying as a vocal major, I think you might be okay. As far as I know, admission for music majors depends almost entirely upon the audition, so it will be quite hard for anyone to realistically chance you on CC.</p>

5

<p>The deal with music, however, is you have to be REALLY, REALLY good to get into a school like Rice's Shepherd School. Granted, it's not Julliard, but it IS one of the top few schools in the US and probably in the world.</p>

<p>Good grades and rank are good to have, but like dorian_mode said, your audition will be VITAL. However, it sounds like you have lots of passion and experience with music, so I'm guessing that you have a fighting chance. It's never a sure thing with music though...</p>

6

<p>If you could do only two things right now, they should be:
1)Try to get your superscore SAT total up to AT LEAST a 1950.
2)Work as hard as humanely possible to destroy your audition. If you are more of a passion singer/performer, focus on mastering technical elements. Having successfully made it through Shephard school auditions, I would recommend technical brilliance over a more stylistic performance.</p>

7

<p>Sorry for the second post:</p>

<p>But because you are not THAT strong of a Shephard applicant (in terms of awards for your intended instrument-vocal), ED won't really provide you with a big boost. For example, if you were a returning All State Choir member who was seriously courting schools like Oberlin, UMich or Yale (for music), then your talent would nearly guarantee you a HUGE BOOST in ED. However if you are dedicated, but ordinary singer, then ED will just mean getting your audition done early and you show interest in Rice.</p>

<p>Focus on the SAT.</p>