<p>I am a Columbia student. I considered the joint program. For me, Juilliard was not the primary attraction and I did not go that route. In fact I have not picked up my instrument since I have been at Columbia.</p>
<p>I spoke with the admissions office at Juilliard which appears to be the opposite of what you did by speaking to the admissions office at Columbia.</p>
<p>At Juilliard they were able to clarify a few things which you may already know.</p>
<p>First, they are a conservatory not a college. That means that you only take courses which pertain to your musical focus. </p>
<p>Second, you must audition just like any other student and NO preference is given to Columbia students. You will be taking a coveted Juilliard place and you must pull your weight at Juilliard like any other student.</p>
<p>Third, and obviously, it is very competitive and it is actually easier to get into Columbia than Juilliard.</p>
<p>So, I agree with Mary, if you have the national recognition that would strongly support your potential admission to Juilliard that recognition would be a huge hook for Columbia. Even significant statewide recognition could conceivably suffice. </p>
<p>My one caveat is that the Admissions Committee clearly understands how challenging and time consuming Columbia classes can be -- combining that with Juilliard will required an incredibly strong and disciplined student.</p>
<p>Based on my experience the Columbia/Juilliard joint program can be done but that's all you would be doing. For me there were so many other things I wanted to persue once I got here that I let Juilliard go. </p>
<p>I think Columbia Admissions Committee understands that reality as well, so unless you are incredibly entrenched in your music with significant statewide, national or international recognition your musical abilities will probably not compensate for below average stats.</p>
<p>If you can demonstrate to the admissions committee an interruption in your adacemic excellence due to an event outside your control I think that will help to offset below average stats. That would probably not explain an SAT issue because you had many, many opporunties to retake that but it could explain a clear GPA drop after a sustained period of excellence.</p>
<p>If you are in fact a clear admit to Juilliard that would help as well, but I do not think studying with someone for six years puts you in that category. Demonstrable evidence of your proficiency by winning prestigious competitions is the evidence needed for that level of recognition.</p>
<p>BTW, the acting program at Juilliard is not open to Columbia students are at least it was not a few years ago.</p>