<p>Hi All, I am a performance major at Oberlin. I'm a freshman. I am wondering how important grades are for grad school. My parents have been telling me that if I get a B in anything it would be hard to get into grad school. Is this true? I have a few B's and a few A's, and no C's so far. I've been trying harder this semester, and hope to receive even better grades. It's just that for instance, Music Theory, I have a tough time... I am doing a lot better this semester, which is good, but I'm concerned for grad school. I am just so stressed out because I have to prepare so much for my lessons. Not to sound arrogant, but I am quite skilled at my instrument, and have been told I am very musical... but my grades aren't stellar. I'm concerned!</p>
<p>It depends on what your graduate school goal is…for conservatories, grades are not so important so long as you have at least a 3.0. However, for a university based school of music or college, grades will be more of a factor in financial aid. Some faculties consider GPA when scoring auditions, and that affects both admissions and scholarships. B’s in music theory will not be terrible, but it is a slippery slope… Fellowships are awarded to students with the highest GPA’s, and those are the best: no duties required except performance and/or research. If you can keep a 4.0, graduate from a well-known school with high standards, and perform a wondrous audition, you will be in great shape!</p>
<p>are you talking about an MM? or an MA/PhD track?</p>
<p>Yes I’m talking about MM. What if I get A’s in Music Theory from now on? would that be ok?</p>
<p>For MA/PhD, it’s the grades and recommendations that count most. In either case, getting A’s is always nice, but I don’t know that it would matter that much for MM programs, which will admit you based on your audition more than any other factor.</p>
<p>While there may be a very few schools where a less-than-stellar GPA would be an issue for admission to an MM program, you will be fine at the vast majority of schools so long as you have a great audition and a decent GPA. As lorelei points out, it may be more of an issue in getting the real plum fellowships that require you to do no more than play your instrument. There are often other sources of aid so long as you are willing to be a TA for a couple of undergrad classes.</p>
<p>I can recall talking with the Dean at one school (that I will not identify) a few years back. He said something along the lines of, “We love our A students for their achievement here at school and their eventual contributions to the state of the art. We love our B students because they are usually the ones hiring our A students. We really love our C students because we have buildings named after several of them.”</p>
<p>I think you can relax a bit - I don’t mean relax your efforts - just reduce the stress level you’re handling. </p>
<p>Take a look at the websites of conservatories and universities you might be interested in “down the road”. Many conservatories say something like: the transcript must indicate that the student is capable of graduate level work - or - the transcript must indicate that the student has taken undergraduate course work seriously. This gives the schools plenty of room to admit students with great auditions, but less than stellar academic records (if they want you!). You may not even find a “3.00” GPA requirement is adhered to. Universities may be a bit tougher if they have to meet standards imposed on the entire institution, but even there, there is frequently “wiggle room” for Music School admissions.</p>
<p>I know current graduate students (violin and other strings) at major conservatories whose Theory grades averaged at a “C” level. Not everyone finds theory easy - you aren’t alone. I know some grad students that have a “D” or two on the undergrad transcript as well. Obviously, I wouldn’t aim that low, but it can happen that even a student who is trying very hard has difficulty with a particular course (or instructor!).</p>
<p>Looking for an MM, I certainly wouldn’t worry about B’s - and even some C’s aren’t likely to keep you out if the audition/playing level is higher than the norm.</p>