<p>Please give me your honest opinion ... will this make a real difference on a college application ? This applicant has won a few piano competitions and has performed at Carnegie Hall (as well as Lincoln Center and The Kimmell Center).</p>
<p>Would it make a difference if they accomplished this at age 10 ? Would colleges be interested to know this ?</p>
<p>Did they continue their music career in high school?</p>
<p>Yes ... did volunteer work related to piano as well (church services, performances at senior citizen centers, etc).</p>
<p>In that case it will certainly help, though it would not be a s good as if they had one a high-school age competition. In this case however it seems it would stand out more in the categories of community service and hobbies, rather than honors received.</p>
<p>It's not going to stand out that much because the colleges are going to be far more interested in accomplishments from high school, things that would indicate the student would likely continue those activities in college.</p>
<p>Did the student not win major competitions in high school or do something else outstanding with piano performance?</p>
<p>The volunteer activities you mentioned that the student has been doing in h.s. are fairly ordinary in the pool of elite college applicants. Those are the schools most likely to use ECs as a factor in admission. At such colleges, the student would be competing against students who won major music awards while in h.s.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input.</p>
<p>This student is currently entering 10th grade and will hopefully win a few more piano competions during HS. She has entered various competitions and won something every year since the age of 10 (sometimes 1st place, but not always). I was wondering if colleges would be interested to know about the awards won at an early age, as well as during the HS years, especially if she performed at Carnegie Hall at the age of 10. I believe it does speak to the commitment she has to her instrument and her study of music, as well as a measure of her talent... just curious what others might think.</p>
<p>I don't think that colleges will be that interested in what she did at age 10. Her h.s. activities will be what's important. Also, it's typical for students who are doing well with music in h.s. to have started at a very young age.</p>
<p>Maybe mention the achievement in an essay if it makes sense for the topic.</p>
<p>I think it mostly depends on what your major is. Supposedly if you go into engineering and related, then it wouldn't stand out very much. Of course, if your major was in music, then it would definitely help.</p>
<p>:D
midnight</p>
<p>^ Actually, i think it would be the opposite. Most music majors would have this type of experience (maybe not as prestigious), but how many engineering majors do you know who have performed at carnegie hall?</p>