Hello, I’m an incoming senior and I’ve never really been involved in school activities. Mostly, I stay home during the school week and play guitar. I have been playing since the 3rd grade and more recently have begun dedicating huge amounts of time to practicing.
So far this year I have practiced an average of 2-3 hours a day, leaving me with little time for other activities (especially with lots of homework). I also teach guitar lessons to kids and have been doing so for over a year. I have played with a band at 2 school talent shows and plan on joining jazz band this year. How can I stress my dedication to the instrument in my application?
Most people have a plethora of activities which they can write about, giving variety to their application and the impression that they are well rounded. Mine, on the other hand, will be solely focused on music, as that is the biggest part of my life outside of school.
Will colleges see my dedication to one extracirricular and being really good at it or will they think I am not well rounded? Will my position hurt my chances of getting into top UC and private schools?
It’s not really a disadvantage, IMO. So many high school students have fabricated applications that are filled with lame EC’s, and colleges don’t want those people. Having a few passions (or just one) is actually what adcoms prefer.
Don’t worry that you don’t have a bajillion ECs- its good, IMO, that you aren’t padding your resume just to get into college. Do what you love, and the right college will find you (of course, you have to apply, but you’ll find a college that “fits” you and your mentality and interests).
Update:
I was admitted at Cal Poly SLO, UCSC, UCD, UCI, UCSD, UCSB, and SCU while I was denied at UCLA and UCB. At UCSC and UCD I recieved the regents scholarship and invitation to the honors program while at UCSB I was admitted to the honors program. All schools applied to as a Biology major.
