chances/merit aid?/music

Colleges and Universities A-Z Furman University
1

<p>Hey there! I'm curious about my chances for admission and also my chances at merit scholarships. Also, does anybody have experience with the music audition process and have suggestions? I'm a legacy (mom attended), my aunt/uncle attended, and my aunt's parents (my mom's brother's wife's parents) contributed a huge amount of money to the school and her dad is a trustee. Is there any way I can indicate these extra details in my application?
Unweighted GPA: 4.0
Weighted GPA: 5.3
I completed the Pre-IB program at my school and am currently half way through the IB program at my school, which is currently ranked one of the top 1% in the world.
SAT: 770 Verbal 760 Math 680 Writing
SAT2: 780 Math2 710 Lit 700 Bio E</p>

<p>State: FL</p>

<p>Middle School (all As)
Honors Algebra 1
Honors Geometry
Honors Earth Space Science
Honors Economics</p>

<p>Freshmen Year (All As)
Pre-IB Biology 1
Pre-IB World History
Pre-IB English 1
Pre-IB Spanish 1
Pre-IB Algebra 2
Speech
Chorus
Orchestra</p>

<p>Sophomore Year (All As)
Pre-IB Chemistry
Pre-IB Physics
AP European History
Pre-IB English 2
Pre-IB Spanish 2
IB Pre-Calc
Chorus
Orchestra</p>

<p>Projected Junior Year (Probably all As, maybe a B in calc)
IB SL Biology
IB English 3
IB History of the Americas
IB Spanish 3
IB SL Calculus
IB Psychology
Chorus</p>

<p>Projected Senior Year
IB Theory of Knowledge
IB HL English
IB HL History
IB SL Spanish 4
AP Stat
IB HL Psychology
Chorus</p>

<p>AP tests: Euro (4), Calc AB, Bio, Lit, Psych, and Stat.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Chorus (fresh-sr)
-student director (jr)
-officer positions: social committee (soph), section leader (jr), secretary (sr)
-private voice lessons (soph-sr)
-member/music arranger/vocal percussionist/music director in an award winning acapella group (jr&sr)
-accepted to several county and state honor choirs (soph&jr)</p>

<p>Orchestra (fresh-sr)
-private viola lessons (fresh-soph)
-accepted to county honor orchestra (soph)</p>

<p>Tri-M Music Honor Society (fresh-sr): treasurer (jr), president (sr)</p>

<p>Model UN (soph-sr)
-several delegate and delegation awards
-officer positions: home government (jr), secretary-general (president) (sr)</p>

<p>Church Music Ministries (freshmen-senior year)
-church orchestra
-choir accompanist
-youth choir: community service and mission tours
-girls ensemble</p>

<p>Dance: freshman/sophomore year
-pointe, jazz and lyrical</p>

<p>Girl's State Delegate</p>

<p>National Honor Society(jr/sr)</p>

<p>Spanish Honor Society(sr)</p>

<p>Social Studies Honor Society (sr)</p>

<p>Volunteer Work:
Choir Tour(fresh-senior) - helped at homeless shelters, cancer clinics, youth centers and rescue missions
Mission Trip (fresh/soph) - provided day camp to underprivileged rural children, served as a junior counselor the 2nd year
Swim Lessons (soph/junior) -taught free swim lessons through the ymca to underprivileged children 12 hours a week for two summers (150 hours), serving as volunteer coordinator for the program the second year
Internship (sr): sustainability charity that assists kenyan orphans (probably 60 hrs)</p>

<p>Awards: Furman Scholar, projected college board commended</p>

<p>I am hoping to major in business, political science, or international relations and go on to law school.</p>

2

<p>Hey unodostracy, </p>

<p>I am an entering freshman at Furman and I can already tell you that your credentials are great. You really have nothing to worry about. Just keep up the great work that you are already doing, and your admission will be a breeze. </p>

<p>As far as the music auditions are concerned, I have a little bit of insight because I am majoring in Music Education. However, I am a band person and it seems as if you are a strings person so I don’t know exactly what you would be required to do. As a bassoonist, I had to play two contrasting solos, sight read, sing back pitches that were played on the piano, and play back the same pitches on my instrument. Also during your audition process they will require you to take a written theory test and take a keyboard proficiency test- neither of which affects your admission, just placement. </p>

<p>You should also note in your admission process that Furman has changed their options. When I was applying in 2010, we were given the options Early Decision and Regular Decision. Early Decision meant that we had to turn in applications and forms by Nov 15. We heard back the decision on Dec 15, and had to pay a $500 deposit by Jan 15 to confirm our intentions. Regular Decision: applications Jan 15, decision on Mar 15, and deposits on May 2. Instead of this format, Furman has introduced a new system consisting of Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Decision. The only difference is that in Early Action, if you apply early and are accepted, you are automatically expected to pay your deposit; it’s binding. I’m a little iffy on how Early Decision will work, and I’m pretty sure that Regular decision will remain the same.</p>

<p>Hope that helped and good luck! </p>

<p>Go Paladins!</p>