chances for performing arts focus?

Parents Forum
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<p>I'm applying EA to Stanford, and RD to Harvard and Princeton (plus some ridiculously easy great merit $ safeties) and haven't been able to figure out if I'm doomed or not. You know, people at school always assume that high GPA and SAT are automatic shoe-ins. But I've read last year's admissions decisions on this forum, and the arbitrariness (is that a word? ) is scary!</p>

<p>740, 740, 740 New SAT (2220) (retaking)
US History SATII: 800
Lit SAT II: 780
Level 2 Math SAT II: 700</p>

<p>Have taken AP World Hist (4), AP US Hist(5), AP Language(5)
Taking AP Literature, AP French, AP Govt (US and Comp), AP Physics B, and AP Calculus</p>

<p>I have gotten 2 B+, 4 A-, all in math. Not my strong point! All else are As</p>

<p>UW gpa: 3.93</p>

<p>middle class white female, really good large public school
mother went to Stanford</p>

<p>played violin since 4 years old, state ranked
voice lessons for 5 years, state ranked
musical and non-musical theater
State ranked Mock Trial team
State ranked Knowledge Bowl team (captain)
some debate (most valuable debater)
french Club (pres)
Student Court Justice
Youth Court (prosecute and defend and serve on jury for juveniles charged in my county)
National History Day performance (4th place at state in 9th and 10th)
Key Club
Summer tutoring for 2nd graders
National merit semi-finalist; finalist hopefully
Community choir
Youth Symphony concertmistress</p>

<p>My long essay is really good, not sure yet about short essays
1 stunning recomendation, 1 good rec
counselor rec will not say anything, since he has spoken to me 3 times. He has 500 other kids to deal with too.</p>

<p>I'll be submitting a recording for voice as a supplement, not sure about violin yet</p>

<p>So what do you think? Have I got a shot?</p>

2

<p>Just curious: Are you interested in these schools because they have programs in voice or violin? Do they even offer advanced classes in voice and/or violin? I haven't heard much about music performance as being a strong suit at these three schools.</p>

<p>If they don't have particularly strong programs in voice, or you're not planning top pursue voice there,what exactly would be the point of sending them a voice performance excerpt?</p>

<p>If your interest in these schools is not music performance, what about these three particular colleges does match your interests?</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
what exactly would be the point of sending them a voice performance excerpt?

[/quote]
To demonstrate a passion for something that has carried through into sufficient study and practice to produce excellence. Several of the schools my S applied to last year wanted to get to know "the whole person" in the application, and were looking to construct a class containing students with many skills, abilities, and passions other than just academic excellence. Whether or not the OP is going to continue voice or violin study as a college program, or just for personal satisfaction, might not matter to these schools. They may just be impressed with what she's accomplished in an interest that moves her.</p>

4

<p>Elphaba...I'm not into chances posts as they don't give the whole picture but I will be happy to note that while admissions to those schools is unpredictable, you appear to be a VERY solid candidate to be part of that lottery. I wish you well and you seem accomplished!
Susan
PS...and as the song goes...."I'm defying Gravity, and nobody will bring me down"....so go for it, Elphaba!</p>

5

<p>Thanks, everyone! </p>

<p>I'm not going to be going into music or performing arts, so it doesn't matter to me what the relative strength of those programs are. I think I'm going into history or law. But as mootmom said, I'm trying to show them "the whole person," and performance and music have been a big part of my life, and are things I've received some recognition for. I'll always love performing arts, and I'm going to certainly keep participating in them, but it's definitely not going to be my career! :)</p>

<p>Thanks, soozievt!</p>