Chances/school selection

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I am looking for some feedback on my chances and school selections.</p>

<p>I will be a Sr this fall. I attend a conservatory high school in which all of my music classes count towards my GPA, so I carry 3-4 extra classes per semester. Ergo, fewer APs. </p>

<p>I do not plan to apply to a conservatory such as Julliard or Berklee. I want to continue my music studies (Jazz piano) at a large school that will provide other options, and paths of study. </p>

<p>SAT - 2070</p>

<p>SAT II</p>

<p>Math 750</p>

<p>History 750</p>

<p>3.9 GPA</p>

<p>APs</p>

<p>Language & Comp- 5</p>

<p>Environmental Sci - 5</p>

<p>ECs</p>

<p>Jazz Piano studies with a student performance at Avery Fisher</p>

<p>NY Philharmonic performed an original composition written by me at a youth concert</p>

<p>Play in various jazz ensembles, big band, and classical orchestra</p>

<p>Student classwork with Wynton Marsalis</p>

<p>2 summers of internship with a well known commercial film composer</p>

<p>Four years NY Summer Music Festival</p>

<p>Courses at Manhattan School of Music</p>

<p>Also play guitar (jazz and rock) cello (classical) </p>

<p>Travel soccer player and have started on varsity HS soccer team since freshman year.</p>

<p>Six years of community service around the country with United Methodist Church. </p>

<p>My list of schools that either have jazz studies, jazz workshops, and opportunities to play in a big band or various ensembles:</p>

<p>Princeton</p>

<p>Northwestern</p>

<p>McGill</p>

<p>Ithaca</p>

<p>U Michigan</p>

<p>U Mass Amherst</p>

<p>Wesleyan</p>

<p>U Miami</p>

<p>Tulane</p>

<p>Loyola NO</p>

<p>Temple</p>

<p>SUNY Purchase</p>

<p>-- Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Is the 3.9 weighted or unweighted? Is money an issue? This is a crucial consideration.</p>

<p>But assuming money not an issue, and the 3.9 is unweighted, I would say:</p>

<p>Princeton - Long reach</p>

<p>Northwestern - reach</p>

<p>McGill - match</p>

<p>Ithaca - likely</p>

<p>U Michigan - match</p>

<p>U Mass Amherst - likely</p>

<p>Wesleyan - match to reach</p>

<p>U Miami - match</p>

<p>Tulane -match</p>

<p>Loyola NO - likely</p>

<p>Temple - likely</p>

<p>SUNY Purchase - likely</p>

<p>It’s a good mix. I use the term “likely” instead of “safety”, I just don’t like the connotation of any application being absolute unless the school has a guarantee, as some state schools do if you in top 10% of class, for example.</p>

<p>You might look into the University of North Texas, it has one of the top music programs in the country and has for years. Very strong in big band and jazz in general. Not an academic powerhouse, I won’t kid you, although their Honors College students are somewhat better than the average student. If you don’t mind rural, check out Truman State University in Missouri. High level academics (it is a public LAC) and a very strong music program as well. I used to go there every year for the state-wide jazz band competition. Another is the University of Redlands in California. It used to be well known for its jazz bands, but you would have to make some contacts to see where it stands today. Academically better than UNT, not quite as competitive as Truman.</p>

<p>Finally, of course Tulane has a lot to offer, just being in New Orleans means a lot. But they have some great programs. Here is an article you might find interesting: [Tulane</a> University - Campus Feels the Beat](<a href=“http://tulane.edu/news/newwave/102809_jazz.cfm?RenderForPrint=1]Tulane”>http://tulane.edu/news/newwave/102809_jazz.cfm?RenderForPrint=1) You can contact Jesse McBride if you want. He is a really nice guy and is a jazz pianist like you. He can give you the inside info. [Tulane</a> University - Making Music With the Pros](<a href=“http://tulane.edu/news/newwave/011408_music.cfm]Tulane”>http://tulane.edu/news/newwave/011408_music.cfm) <a href="mailto:McBride82@hotmail.com">McBride82@hotmail.com</a></p>

3

<p>Ah, FallenChemist, I usually agree with you about everything (albeit silently), but this time I feel compelled to disagree. This student is so INTERESTING that I think it is likely s/he will be quite successful in the process.
After reading the post, I wanted to hear the student play, find out more. Now that’s saying something.</p>

4

<p>You’re probably looking at a significant scholarship at Temple. If you have any questions about TU, feel free to message me.</p>

5

<p>Thank you for all of the very useful info. I am aware of N Texas and will take a closer look</p>

6

<p>

</p>

<p>LOL, I am crushed. No, seriously, I understand what you are saying, and certainly I wouldn’t discourage this student from applying to those reach schools. But when you look at the percent admissions to the Ivies, it is a reach for ANY student, and with 2070 SAT scores, it makes it a long reach. But admissions is a very funny game, and the strong music passion and ability definitely is a variable that is not easy to weight in the process. Besides, I didn’t say he wouldn’t be successful (I am assuming David is a he, lol). I just said Princeton is a real long shot. That I think is indisputable. I could be persuaded that Northwestern is more of a match to reach, slightly weighted towards the reach side.</p>

<p>davidfromnyc - Have you been able to hear any of the recordings from when it was still North Texas State University and Leon Breeden was the director of their top group, The One O’Clock Lab Band? If not and you are interested, PM me.</p>