<p>I'm currently a senior in high school so of course I've already been through the whole application process. I applied to a few universities and got into most but I only applied to one music school which was more of a last minute thing so I didn't really put too much effort into my application and of course I got rejected from the school (no surprise). Lately I've been thinking that music is something I really want to pursue so I'm thinking about taking a year off working on music and applying to some music schools. (I've been in music practically my whole life, it's definitely been a huge part of my life I just hadn't really considered it something I would do as a career before) Has anyone had any experience with taking a year off to work on something like this? What are your opinions? I feel like I may as well give it a shot and if it doesn't work out at least I have some other colleges to fall back on and I'll only be a year older than most of the other students which doesn't make a huge difference to me.</p>
<p>Hi Steph,</p>
<p>If you are not sure, you should commit to a school for now, and you can always defer later. (That’s why schools have waitlists … some kids change their minds after they accept an offer of admission.)</p>
<p>Unless you are really motivated and have access to amazing private teachers as well as ensembles, I would think twice. I’ve seen too many of my daughter’s high school friends that took a gap year and didn’t really get out of it anything more than a nice vacation, including those that just wanted to do music for a year. Without the structure of school their year became one big party or extended vacation. Can you go to one of your accepts to take liberal arts classes or music theory? You could even join ensembles. The liberal arts classes most likely will transfer if you plan it right, the music theory will help in music school even if you won’t get credit for it, and you can stay in the momentum of school and learning w/ access to potential excellent private teachers if the school you pick has a music school or is in a city with great music culture. Keep us posted!</p>
<p>I don’t think you have really given anyone enough information to be able to offer much more then generalities (and even then it would be hard without knowing you and having the expertise). I have known students who took gap years, and were successful, but they generally were kids who already were focused on music, and took the gap year to burnish skills and playing technique to be able to get into a program they wanted to but didn’t make, I haven’t know anyone like yourself who had last minute thoughts and did this. </p>
<p>My suggestion would be to try and get an assessment of your skills, maybe talk to teachers and other music people who know you (conductors, coaches, etc) and see what they think. While their opinion has no guarantees (It took me a long time to realize that the level of teaching in music has different strata, and that supposedly trained teachers may be clueless as to what the reality is outside their bubble) it is better then nothing, and if you could get an assessment before making up your mind with someone you know is high level, even better (local college music professor, known high level teacher). If they and you come to the conclusion you already are pretty high level and then just need to burnish your skills and audition repertoire, a gap year might work (key word is might). </p>
<p>If on the other hand it seems like you aren’t nearly there, I would agree with Snowflake, you would probably be better to go to one of the colleges you were admitted to and if you are interested in music still, see what they offer for ensembles and such. In theory, you could take lessons with a good teacher during UG, gain ensemble experience, maybe do summer programs, and be ready by grad school for doing music if you still want to. </p>
<p>A lot of this depends on what you are planning to do in music as well, while it is brutally tough to make it in music, period, some instruments, like Piano, violin and flute, tend to be relatively more difficult then other instruments or fields, and that is a factor in your decision. It may be possible, for example, to take a gap year on let’s say the trombone (hypothetical example) and get to where you can get into a top level program, whereas if you were talking Piano or violin it may be too much to expect to get to an adequate level to get into a top program based on where you are.</p>
<p>One piece of advice, if you do choose to do the gap year, then as soon as possible put together a ‘gap year plan’ so you don’t drift. Line up a top level teacher, if you feel your current one isn’t strong enough, and also try to find other things, like ensembles or other programs, that could challenge you, and put together a daily plan in terms of how you are going to work (for example, setting your practice hours up, maybe even to something like “I’ll spend an hour in the morning doing scales, another 2 hours working on reperatory, another hour reading through orchestral or chamber parts, etc”. If you aren’t disciplined, a gap year can be as Snowflake wrote, a year off, and it won’t get you to where you need to go. You also might want to think about finding if there are any local colleges or whatever that offer classes in music theory and ear training or if you can find a good study yourself kind of program to work on these, they are important and will also help you figure out at the end of the gap year if you want to still apply to music school. </p>
<p>One other thought, the fact that you got into the colleges you did won’t automatically give you a slot next year, if you decide to do the gap year and not go into music, you would need to re-apply to colleges next year and try to get in, the fact you got in this year as far as i know won’t guarantee you will get in next year. Maybe a school would allow you to defer admissions, but as far as I know admission is only valid for the year you got in, and the odds of getting admitted change each year…</p>
<p>I wish you luck, hope you find what you need;)</p>
<p>Just as an added note, agree that your best course is a school you are already admitted to if there is one with a good music department. That way you can explore music as electives. </p>
<p>If not that, then check with the schools you were admitted to. Some do allow deferred admission. One of DD’s wrote that she had a year to change her mind when she notified them she was not attending. If you can get a deferred admission, that would give you a safety backup to the gap year. </p>
<p>Understand that you really do not have a year to get ready for the next year. Pre-screenings are due usually by November. Auditions start in the fall and can go through April. You only have about 6 months form now to be ready. If you are already attending a school you may have other options to change majors.</p>
<p>Also, are any of the universities to which you have already been admitted near a good music school; even a community music school? Many college professors teach privately outside of their school/studio and you could take private lessons. Perhaps that might be another option?</p>
<p>If you are closer to being ready you could also consider Spring admission. Several schools like the New School and Berklee are accepting applications now for Spring 2012.</p>
<p>A gap year will only work if you have a firm plan in place, as others have said. You must be completely devoted to your progress - otherwise it’ll turn into more of a ‘year off’ instead of a year spent honing and refining your skills. Gap years are, contrary to popular belief, a lot of work, and take a nearly endless supply of focus to prove successful. I would really only recommend doing this for young musicians who are sure beyond sure that they will pursue music, and who are totally willing to spend the majority of their time working on their skill. </p>
<p>If you are not too sure, I think a gap year may be a little too risky. I know of kids who’ve done it and ended up at Curtis or Juilliard, but I also know of kids just as talented who instead took a turn for the worse and found themselves at the same level, if not lower, than they were before.</p>
<p>That said, only you know your level of dedication and focus; thorough examination of the pros and cons of both sides will, I’m sure, net you the correct answer. 
Bon chance!</p>
<p>Steph, please tell more about your musical background, that would help a lot.</p>