<p>My d applied to music programs at big state schools and LACs. Now she is not feeling confident that she will get in to the music schools and is not even sure if she wants to major in music. Does not getting into the music schools hurt her chances for being admitted to the
LACs? (She is already admitted to the state schools via the general admission process) How did others handle a change in direction midway through the process?</p>
<p>I would think that most LACs, like state universities, are used to students changing majors. My daughter is currently applying to conservatories, but applied to one large in-state university where she auditioned in the music school. Since she was admitted to the university before she was admitted into the music program, whether she does music or not would be irrelevent to that university.</p>
<p>My daughter applied to both conservatories (BM) and to colleges (BA). She auditioned at the conservatories and sent a music supplement to the colleges (with CD, resume, recommendation letters from music teachers). She decided whether to go to a conservatory or college in late April, after hearing from all schools by April 1. Our kids change a lot in this last year of high school, and it worked for her to keep all options open until she really had to decide. Once admitted,she met with directors of the music department applicable to her, and discussed the decision, attended classes at both conservatory and college, talked to her own teachers, and made a thorough effort to make the best decision.</p>
<p>From your post, I am not clear on where your daughter has applied. Music program at state university: I got that. Not getting into the music program would not affect the acceptance she already has, and it might be possible to switch over to the music program later, too.</p>
<p>Has she applied to conservatories at LAC’s (like Bard, Oberlin, Lawrence)? Or has she applied to LAC’s thinking she might want to do a BA in music?</p>
<p>She applied to 2 conservatories and one music program at an LAC to do BA in music</p>
<p>It depends on the college… without the specific names, you won’t get specific answers on the impact. Because the policies differ with each college. You will have to carefully review the admissions web pages for each LAC and see what they say about admissions to the conservatory vs. admission to the non-conservatory portion of the LAC, and whether she can major in something non-music (eg, easily move between the two). It is worth considering whether she needs to tell them now (right in the middle of the admissions cycle), or wait… and then once she is admitted, see what they say about switching to “the other side”.</p>
<p>I can sympathize on the moving major target… D2 just announced that her proposed minor in studio art (which she talked about in all of her college applications) is not so interesting to her any more, and that she just dropped her one high school art class this semester and picked up a theater class instead. Without thinking about the implications on her admissions when they see she claims great interest in art, but now isn’t taking any this semester… sigh. They are only 17/18… Fortunately, I think the college admissions offices also know this. They honestly probably figure 50% of students will change their proposed major when they get there. It is just particularly awkward when they do it in the middle of the admissions process.</p>
<p>Usually, for a BA, you apply to an LAC and later declare a major, whether music or something else- often at the end of the sophomore year. There are no auditions for admission, but a music supplement can help.</p>
<p>So I am a little uncertain what applying to a “music program at an LAC” means. Or what you mean when you say your are worried that not getting in to the music program at the LAC could affect admissions at the LAC itself (without more info, hard to say, but most likely not). I mean, if it is a music program that you apply for separately, is it actually a BM program?</p>
<p>It’s great that she is already in at the state school. </p>
<p>Wherever she lands, as long as there are options other than music, as well as music, there should be some flexibility for moving from music to other subjects or vice versa. If it’s a BA program, uncertainty is fine and she can make decisions as she goes on what she wants to major in.</p>
<p>Of course, that is not true in a conservatory. But she still has some months to get clear on what she wants. She may just be nervous and anticipating not getting in. Once admitted or not) the picture will be clearer.</p>
<p>When she is deciding where to go in April, it is helpful to really investigate options with visits, talking with faculty, going to classes etc.</p>
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<p>Here’s the thing you want to help her work through: Is her uncertainty about the pursuit of music directly connected to her fear that she is not “good enough” for acceptance? If so, she needs to get straight with herself and go for it – or not 
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<p>It’s easy to “want” something when you’re getting a lot of “attaboys” for it. It’s a much tougher row to hoe when there’s always someone “better” and you recognize your limitations.</p>
<p>The students who can disconnect their “external approval” motivation for music pursuit and find/foster the internal motivation to proceed despite all odds are the ones who have the best chance to parlay a music school degree into some kind of satisfying existence, IMHO. </p>
<p>If she is truly reconsidering, and if she can see herself doing anything else, the common wisdom in these threads is “study anything else if you think you CAN” or, put another way, don’t pursue music vocationally unless you CANNOT see yourself doing anything else.</p>
<p>That conversation is also one worth having 
Best wishes.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. As for specifics, it is a BM that she is applying for at the LACs and conservatories are DePauw and Lawrence. She now plans to go ahead with all scheduled auditions and not change her stated degree preference. That is, if she doesn’t change her mind again.</p>
<p>I think it has been difficult for her (and me) to see all the other high school seniors finished with college applications and enjoying their last semester of high school, while we (the music students and parents) still have auditions and hard work ahead of us </p>
<p>I believe kmcmom13’s comment about the importance of disconnecting from “external approval” is so true. At the many recitals/concerts I have attended the kids who “disconnect” always seem the happiest and seem to play the best.</p>
<p>Tell her not to stress over making a decision now There are a few (long) months until decisions are due. It is great that she will have the auditioning experiences. Those will help her in life no matter what she does. She does not need to make a decision today. Keep the options open.</p>
<p>Sounds like you guys are doing just fine! Hang in there!</p>