i’m a non-US citizen planning to be a future graduate student for a US music school.
The GPA system in the US is very unfair to me. In my country, students are graded on a curve. Like, for example only 7% of the students can get A. Not to mention that my highschool was pretty competitive. I was just an average student with pretty much normal grades but I’m not even sure my GPA will be above 2.5
My question is, does GPA matter that much? Do you think if I explain to the school i’m gonna apply about the grade system in my country, they’ll read it?
If you are going into music your GPA is far less important than your musical skill on your instrument. Your audition will count far more, assuming you are a performer.
i’m planning to be a composition major. My dream school is SFCM (for tac composition) but since this is a relatively new major i can’t find information enough
The GPA requirements are most likely for US students only. International students often have a different set of requirements as schools understand that systems are different outside the US.
Email or call SFCM directly for your requirements. If it is your dream school, there’s no time like the present to start communicating with them. Good luck.
Bridgenail is right. I wouldn’t worry. Even for US students, the GPA requirement for music students is significantly lower than for other students. (They dont advertise this but will tell you if you ask.) Call or email admissions and ask them…you will be fine!
Schools look at context. They know the different systems and interpret your GPA in the context of your country.
@wlgus135 I guarantee you aren’t the first foreign student to apply to the music schools in which you’re interested. As @lostaccount said, they have the experience to put your grades in context with your school and/or home country, meld it to your musical qualifications, and go from there. Best of luck.