I am planning to apply to college after several years absence in order to pursue my degree. Albeit’s not necessary, and since there’s usually no space with which to do so, I would like to cite my personal academic accomplishments to demonstrate my sincerity since my last attempt at college didn’t go so well, due to a combination of emotional drama (first love) and the poor education and demanding expectations of the faculty since few in this program had a degree in the subject they were teaching; rather, they were just gigging musicians. In fact, the founder of the program was a liar! Since his “baby” was the choir, I found his “method” of conducting utterly esoteric since I had come from a High School choir that took first place wherever we competed; yet, his conducting gestures made it appear as if he was constipated! However, another reason for citing my CV is that I want to emphasize my accomplishments, and to ensure that my application stands out a bit from the pack. But, if there’s no space to cite a CV on applications, are there any buttons on most applications that would allow one to attach a separate CV, etc.? Back when I first attended college, everything was on paper, rather digital. Oh, and before I forget, I’m planning on beginning at an out of state community college due to cost savings, but to clinch my Associate’s Degree (as no one can take that accomplishment away from me) before moving on my by Bachelor’s and then my Master’s Degree. Heck, I was never told when I was first enrolled in college that the music program couldn’t offer a degree; just a certificate of completion! All that work and nothing to show for it, other than being more wary of those responsible educating me!
That you didn’t have good guidance by the adults around you about that specific music program is not your fault. But your Certificate is a meaningful document, and surely there would have been other majors within that institution that could have led to a bachelor degree if you had been so inclined at the time. So don’t kick yourself about that. Take advantage of any transferable credits to shorten your time at the community college.
Most community college applications don’t have any place to include a professional CV. Unless you are applying to a nursing program, chances are the CC is open admission. They will want to know your name and your address, and will need copies of your high school and college transcripts. Since you are looking at an out-of-state CC right now, read up on that CC’s residency policy. Some CCs only require 3 months residency to be considered in state or district for tuition and fees purposes. Moving right now could give you in-district rates in September.
When you start looking at 4-year institutions to transfer to, depending on the places where you do decide to, what you’ve done with your life since leaving high school might be of interest. At that point you will be able to see if there is a useful way to include your professional CV in the application materials.
Thank you for not judging me! I do that to myself! But, it occurs to me…when I took the tour of that college and asked about the music program, that information should have been volunteered to me. Also, thanks for the feedback. It really brightened my mood since applying is distressing! Oh, and I was considering moving there ahead of time.
I can’t tell you how hard it is finding a music program to apply to at a community college! What is driving me out of state is the fact that only a small number of CCs have a music program, fewer still offer an Associates Degree, and in about 3/4 of those the college and the program either seems sketchy (one school requires students to transport their own keyboards to and from school during group-keyboard class!) or the town in which its located is in the middle of no-where. So, basically, the 1 decent school I found actually requires an audition! Now, if my voice were in shape I wouldn’t mind auditioning! But, I need to find a new voice teacher anyway.
Why are you only looking at CCs, and why are you only looking at CCs with music majors?
Just exactly how bad were your grades the first time around?
What makes you think that no decent college or university would admit you as a transfer now?
Why do you want a master degree? What job are you looking at that requires one? Or, is this for your personal sense of satisfaction?
If your goal is to major in Voice, you need to take your questions to the Music Majors forum. To find it, go to the main page, click on “Go to the Forums” to get the Forum Index, then scroll down to College Majors. Here is a direct link for you: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/
If you can find a good private voice teacher, you might not need a music major at the associates level. A semester or two of classes in academic subjects, or an AA or AS in general studies, with good grades to show that you can handle college academic work could be enough to bridge the academic gaps before transfer.
Since you mention a master degree, what would that be in? Look at those master programs, and see what is required for admission. Some do not require a bachelor degree at all. Others don’t require a specific major, just sufficient background in the subject. Look at the requirements for completing the degree, and then check the course catalogue to see which classes have specific pre-requisites. You can work backwards from those to get an idea of where you really need to start. (For Voice, an audition might be the only thing that matters. For Chemistry, there would be a whole long trail leading back to Chem 101, Bio 101, Calculus 101, and Physics 101.) With that information, you will be able to construct a program of study that can help you get where you want to go. Again, starting at the only CC in the country with a Voice major might not be necessary. You might find that it is possible to enroll at an in-state public U as a transfer right now.
And please do remember that no matter where you study, if you start this summer or fall it will almost certainly be online. Any voice lessons will be taught over Zoom or Skype or the like. Especially voice because of the whole projected particles thing. So ask any department or teacher you communicate with what their experience has been so far with distance teaching and learning, and get some references from current students about that.