<p>I'm currently a senior with not the greatest grades. I've been really focused on preparing audition pieces and my academics aren't the greatest. I'm applying to Vanderbilt, Northwestern, USC, Carnegie Mellon, Rice, U of M, and UCLA(well a few of them but this is applicable to my friend also). I have around a 3.5-3.6 unweighted GPA depending on how I do this semester. I have a 2100 SAT score and pretty strong extra-curriculars. Assuming that my auditions all go well, is there a chance for me to be rejected by any of these schools based on academics alone?</p>
<p>I can really only give you feedback on USC as S just auditioned there last Saturday but I would think that most University programs probably run in similar fashion. Basically - admissions needs to know you can do the academics. Your 3.6ish/2100 shouldn’t keep you out of USC if the faculty wants you at least at USC anyway. Now if you were talking a 2.5gpa - you would definitely have problems. I have heard that Northwestern is very tough to get in without stellar academics but again, no experience there. Others will be able to give you more in regards to your other schools. Good luck! Just keep practicing and don’t slack off on the academics and you should be fine.</p>
<p>One of my daughters recently attended USC (the CA one) for two year (non-music major). She knew students in the music department who got in with around a 3.0 GPA, so I don’t think the GPA alone will disqualify you.</p>
<p>Here are my thoughts based on our experience last year:</p>
<p>Northwestern: They might take you if you have a stellar audition, and your course load was rigorous. They will also compare your academics to others applying from your school, even if they are not auditioning. Agree with above, “just depends on how badly they want you”.</p>
<p>University of Southern California: Ditto above, but I have noticed that they also tend to take a more holistic approach to academics. Meaning if you are from a less advantageous family background, they will definitely take that into consideration. </p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon: My D had a higher GPA but lower SAT than you and they accepted her into the music major. I do not think she would have gotten into any other schools there due to relatively few AP’s.</p>
<p>U Of Michigan: If you have a stellar audition they will accept you as a music major, as your numbers are above their academic minimum. My D was also accepted as an undeclared major in LSA with her numbers.</p>
<p>UCLA : They will take you as a music major based on your audition alone, as long as you meet the UC minimum. </p>
<p>Rice: no experience directly but from what I have read in this forum your numbers should not be a hindrance.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt: sorry no experience on this one.</p>
<p>Good luck. It will all work out. You may find that whatever school you get into will be absolutely the best fit for you, even if it is not your first choice.</p>
<p>I’ve known kids who were rejected from Northwestern and Rice who had higher GPAs than yours ( and they were told that grades were the basis for the rejections), but it also really depends upon the year you apply. Because GPAs and test scores ate a variable,in any given year the applicant pool may have higher, or lower, scores than you. You are in the running with your GPA- which I assume would be higher when weighted and which you will raise or at least maintain- so do keep those two schools on your list and give a first rate audition too!</p>
<p>That was supposed to read * are *, not ate! Please excuse iPhone autocorrect !</p>