<p>I am applying to top colleges (HYPS, etc.) I've played the piano for about 14 or 15 years but don't really have any honors/awards for it. My school has no position for a piano player, and I never joined a youth orchestra or anything like that. I haven't given performances or anything. However, I am still very skilled at the piano. How much will an arts supplement help my chances at HYPSM and the rest of the Ivy Leagues / Caltech / other top schools? I have great grades and scores and a couple other EC's. I don't foresee this happening, but could the art supplement possibly hurt my chances if I pick pieces that are "too easy" for a typical pianist who has been playing as long as I have?</p>
<p>As you are not applying to HYPS as a music major, your application will be judged upon the strength of your GPA, the rigor of your high school courses, test scores, essays and recommendations. Music will just be something extra. If you have exceptional talent in piano, it might enhance your overall application to submit an Arts Supplement. However, being “very skilled” is different than having exceptional talent. Many top academic students are also stellar musicians (think Yo-Yo Ma) and will also be applying to HYPS as your competition. How will your Arts Supplement and choice of music stack up against those students who have 14-15 years performing in an orchestra? Only you can answer that question.</p>
<p>Obviously, there will be people better than me, but does that mean it would be a disadvantage to submit the arts supplement? I have pieces ready and prepared, and I will play them perfectly (by which I mean proper speed, accurate notes, proper dynamics), it’s just that some people may pick harder pieces; however would this actually negatively affect my chance? I don’t think more than a couple person will be applying with the talent of Yo-Yo Ma, otherwise they would already be famous. I don’t think most people submitting the arts supplement for piano will outstrip me by a big amount; I am picking fairly advanced pieces too.</p>
<p>It seems to me that the Arts Supplement is better suited to a student applying for admission as a music (or whichever art) major. At least for the Harvard application, I think your piano pieces would be best suited as submitted, not in the Arts Supplement, but on the Harvard Supplement under “supplementary materials” (p. 3), music tape/cd.</p>
<p>I’m not an expert, but I believe this is how I have seen students do this in the past. I would love to hear if anyone disagrees or have themselves done it as OP is asking, on the Arts Supplement.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if the other supplements also have a place to place a music piece.</p>
<p>Please see the PM I sent you. Without knowing the level of your skill, it’s impossible to say whether it will be an advantage or disadvantage.</p>
<p>Search through the music major forum about this for more info–the general wisdom is to submit a performance supplement only if you are at a very high level. For you, it’s difficult to say. Is there a music teacher at your school that you could ask to listen to you play to give you an opinion? Do you know a piano teacher who could evaluate you (perhaps you have a friend who takes lessons)?</p>
<p>Hunt is right, but the stated major doesn’t matter. None of HYPS require applicants to declare an intended major within the liberal arts. Even where a music major is the goal, at Harvard, and I believe at Princeton, the music major is history/theory/composition, not performance, so having workmanlike piano skills can be perfectly acceptable.</p>