<p>Does Harvard look at the Arts Supplement? I realize that their supplement has a place to put musical recordings, but:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I don't want to mail it or record an audio version (I want to use a video recorder)</p></li>
<li><p>I would like to send my recording to all of the schools I'm applying to.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So, does Harvard look at the Arts Supplement?</p>
<p>Bumpbumpbu</p>
<p>[Harvard</a> College Admissions § Applying: Supplemental Application Materials](<a href=“http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/application_process/supplements.html]Harvard”>http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/application_process/supplements.html)</p>
<p>I think Harvard’s directions from the above site are pretty clear. </p>
<p>Although the required components of the application to Harvard provide an ample basis on which to make our admission decisions, we want to be certain you have every opportunity to tell us about yourself. Supplementary materials or portfolios are neither required nor expected. Such materials may be submitted, but you should do so only if you have unusual talent. Students with truly exceptional talents or achievements may send music recordings, slides of artwork, or selected samples of academic work for the consideration of the Admissions Committee. At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, such submissions may be evaluated by faculty.</p>
<p>Because we cannot return such materials, applicants should send only duplicates. If you plan to send supplementary materials to the Admissions Office, we ask you to observe the following guidelines:</p>
<p>Music Recordings
*Please note that CD format is preferred but that tapes will be evaluated.
*Please only submit recordings of solo pieces (vocal pieces with accompaniment are permissible).
<p>Wow, thanks for literally not helping me at all. That’s for the Harvard Supplement. I’m asking whether I can use the Arts Supplement instead. Next time, make sure you know what you’re talking about before you act like an ass…</p>
<p>The posted link is to SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION MATERIALS that Harvard will review. As you’re having issues reading between the lines, let me answer your questions directly:</p>
<p>“1. I don’t want to mail it or record an audio version (I want to use a video recorder)”</p>
<p>Who cares what you want! Harvard wants an audio CD from musicians. They specifically do not want a video or DVD, so whether you send in the Arts Supplement or not, only send Harvard what they will review. </p>
<p>“2. I would like to send my recording to all of the schools I’m applying to.”</p>
<p>Go for it – but you have to do a little due-diligence beforehand to see what format each college prefers. For example, some colleges like Yale, will review personal websites, but others, like Harvard couldn’t be bothered.</p>
<p>“So, does Harvard look at the Arts Supplement?”</p>
<p>Yes, Harvard will look at the Arts Supplement, but they will only listen to CD’s from musicians, not DVD’s or videos. And you must mail the CD in a standard 5.5" by 5"-size soft protective sleeve to protect your item during mailing. Label both the case and the CD itself with your legal name, date of birth and high school.</p>
<p>As I said, I think Harvard’s directions are pretty clear. If you need further clarification, call the Admissions Office on Monday morning and ask them.</p>
<p>“That’s for the Harvard Supplement. I’m asking whether I can use the Arts Supplement instead.”</p>
<p>All prospective students must send in the Harvard Supplement regardless of whether they decide to send in an Arts Supplement. It’s not an either-or issue. It’s something additional, like with the Athletic Supplement.</p>
<p>The Arts Supplement lets you link a video upload of your recording. Are you saying Harvard won’t look at that? That’s ********. I need a video recording for the visual/technique aspect of my recordings. And for the sake of time, I’m not going to record one copy on a CD just for Harvard and a second copy on video for the rest of the colleges.</p>
<p>Music is the top extracurricular activity sited by high school students applying to Harvard. With 35,000 applications to read, Admissions Officers just don’t have the time to watch video uploads. They do listen to audio CD’s though – in fact, Admissions Officers will often play an applicant’s audio CD while reading their application, allowing them to listen to an applicant’s talent while reviewing their academic file.</p>
<p>Yea, but you don’t seem to understand what I want to send. I’m not sending just one solo of me playing an instrument. I’m sending a keyboard solo, major scales on the keyboard, a tenor drum solo, technical warm-ups on tenors, concert snare solo, the long role on concert snare, and a timpani solo.</p>
<p>YOU don’t seem to understand – it’s what Harvard wants that matters (not you). They set the rules and applicants need to follow them. Please, for your own edification, call the Admissions Office and ask them what they will accept.</p>
<p>Well what Harvard wants is flawed.</p>
<p>Maybe, but if it was good enough for Yo-Yo Ma . . .</p>
<p>Haven’t been on here in a while, just clicked on to catch up since I now have 2 kids at Harvard. Both submitted music cds when they applied. Samonuh, your arrogance will keep you out of Harvard and most other top schools if it shows through on your application. You don’t like/can’t follow the rules set by admissions? Don’t bother applying then! There are plenty of uber-talented students who WILL do precisely what’s required on the application forms.</p>
<p>Samonuh - You really need to talk to someone at the Admissions Office. In addition to everything that gibby has told you (which you want to ignore), your planned music submission sounds (a) too long and (b) unnecessary. You are not auditioning for a performance, you are trying to showcase your musicality as a “plus” to your application. Nobody cares about your technical warm-ups or your ability to play scales. Those should be presumed from playing actual music. Nobody needs to see you play your music. If they can’t hear how good you are, seeing isn’t going to improve it.</p>
<p>You’re obviously not a percussionist…technique and visual are huge parts of any percussion instrument, especially tenors. It’s the Arts Supplement, not the Music Supplement. And obviously visual performance is an art…</p>
<p>Samonuh you are not the first percussionist to apply to Harvard. And I agree with the comment above - your arrogance and thinking you are too good to follow rules will hurt your application.</p>
<p>I don’t understand why you’re still debating about this.
Just send in what you want. You obviously aren’t interested in listening to others opinions and are going to do what you want, so just do it.</p>
<p>Samonuh - I take back the previous advice. I erroneously thought you were a musician. I had no idea you were an artiste. You must do what your art demands of you, and not become entombed by the dictates of Harvard.</p>
<p>I am going to send a CD to Harvard. I’m just say that their rule is irrational…</p>
<p>Well, why bother at all - H is obviously not for you any way… Not sure where you may fit in, though.</p>