<p>My S intends on being a music major. All of the schools that he has picked out require a live audition in Jan or Feb. And some of the schools that he has picked out are "stretches" as far as him getting in on test scores and grades.</p>
<p>Since his auditions will be before the colleges start making acceptance notifications (but after he has applied), I am wondering if those results of the auditions will have any bearing on his acceptance.</p>
<p>If someone has intending on majoring in math and they had great math test scores and grades it seems that even if they did not "qualify" based on overall scores or grades that they would still be considered based upon their ability in their chosen field. Seems that it would be the same with music.</p>
<p>Or are audition results kept separate from admissions?</p>
<p>Also, when I searched for this topic, I found a heck of a lot of posts about "supplemental" music recordings that go along with the application. None of the schools that we have checked into have said anything about that, but they all require a live audition (at least for in state students). So is this "supplemental" stuff a regional type of thing or am I missing something. Seems to me that a recording sent in with the application really wouldn't have a lot of value because the admission decision makers likely are not music experts and likely wouldn't listen to it or even be able to determine anything from it if they did happen to listen to it.</p>
<p>Depends upon the particular institution, there is no blanket answer. For a BM, the straight conservatories are audition based; high level programs attached to universities/colleges are audition centric. At some, the audition carries more weight, at others, you need to meet the minimum academic bar in addition to being accepted musically. A few will bend the rules for “weak” grades/stats if a candidate is at the top of the audition food chain. There are BA programs that do not require an audition, or a continuation jury at the end of the sophomore year.</p>
<p>If you wish to list the schools, I could be a bit more specific.</p>
<p>Supplemental recordings bear no part in an audition based or audition centric music admission.
Your friend should be aware of any necessary prescreening requirements however.</p>
<p>University of South Carolina
Furman University</p>
<p>Furman would be quite a stretch, U of SC a little bit less of a stretch but his grades/test scores would still be in the bottom 25%.</p>
<p>We are only looking at in-state schools because he is qualified for the SC Life Scholarship which will pay $5k/yr as long as he goes to an in-state school (public or private). So far we have only looked at schools with marching band programs and a music ed degree as his intent is to be a HS band director. In the event that it doesn’t work out at a school with a marching band he can march in a drum corps - he is currently auditioning.</p>
<p>His grades in the 11th and so far in the 12th grades have been quite good (straight A with a few honors classes) but he REALLY screwed up in the 9th grade (with an F and a D and a C). He is still in the top 25% of his class and has finally made the Beta Club. He scored a 550 on each of the three parts of the SAT (totaly 1650) and scored 22 on the ACT (taking it again in a few months). So far no scores have been sent to any college.</p>
<p>Based on my understanding U South Carolina, like most publics will most likely be a stats/grade heavier weight, and I don’t think an outstanding audition would sway the acceptance for one with weak or marginally borderline academic credentials.</p>
<p>Furman may operate a bit differently, and I would surmise a top music candidate might be admitted even if the academics were borderline. You may want to pm binx, whose d had Furman on her short list (violin performance/German double major).</p>
<p>Understand that most music ed programs put more of an emphasis on the stats and test scores than a straight performance major, so double check and see if his academic credentials are within range for these two. There can also be an interview component as well for a music ed candidate, and like an audition, a strong interview might benefit a weaker candidate. Most programs will take a dedicated, serious music ed major with demonstrated passion, a bit of teaching/tutoring/mentoring background and solid music skills over an academically superior candidate that doesn’t come across in an interview as fully committed to teaching music as a career.</p>