<p>So, obviously if you're a star athlete and a coach at a college knows you well enough to want you on their team they will argue for you when your applicatoin comes around, giving you a much better shot at admission. Well, I'm no star atlete, BUT if I happened to be able to get a similar "in" with a marching band director at Notre Dame, do you think that would work in my favor in a way similar to the preferred admissions of athletes? I was debating in my mind whether I should even consider this, but the band at Notre Dame is of higher esteem than many universitys' programs. Anyone think this might help anything for me?</p>
<p>I think it depends on what you would be bringing to that marching band. If you are one of a huge number of flute player or trumpet players, I don't think the band director is going to be a LOT of help. If, however, you play the sousaphone and he needs that instrument, he may be able to help. However, this "in" would not be in lieu of meeting Notre Dame's actual admission requirements. It might (and I mean MIGHT) be a slight tipping factor between you and an otherwise equal candidate.</p>
<p>"if I happened to be able to get a similar "in" with a marching band director at Notre Dame..."</p>
<p>I am not sure I know what this means. If you are interested by all means call and express your interest. If the band director is interested in you, it could make a big difference. Most schools have way more strong candidates than they can take. Sometimes the selection process can seem arbitrary. If you are a strong applicant and have some special skill or interests, that can put you on the right side of the equation.</p>
<p>What I mean by "in" is that my band director went to college with and is a friend of one of ND's band directors...that seems to be an in to me. I haven't talked extensively with her yet though.</p>
<p>taylor...I would say YOU do not have an "in". YOU would need to have the contacts, not your band director. Plus it's getting kind of late to begin those discussions with a friend of a friend...Not saying that DD is doing everything right, but she also wants to play her instrument in college (it is one that is not all that common). She has been in contact with the music department chairpeople AND the private instructors on her instrument at all the schools (only three) to which she will be applying. She has been corresponding via email with them since at least the spring of this year (one since summer of 2004). They all have files they have started on her, and DD has been updating them on her musical accomplishments as they have been happening. THAT is more of an "in" than having her band director knowing one of them.</p>
<p>yes, I completely understand what you mean. Admittedly, I haven't been very on the ball as far as my instrument and my colleges go. I guess the way that I meant that it could work is maybe like sports. Like, sorts have recruiters obviously who get to make a list of students they would like to have. And maybe if my director contacted the director there and told her I'd be a good addition because blah blah blah, then maybe the marching band people at ND have a similar recruitment list I could be added to. I realize the lack of a lot of planning and follow-up thus far, it was just a raw thought that came to me that I wondered about.</p>
<p>Oh, and I play trombone. Not REALLY like trumpets, flutes, etc. But probably not the rarest of instruments. But for a marching band, probably not the most popular.</p>
<p>I'm just going to sit down and talk to my director and see where things go from there I guess.</p>