Suppose you have a kid who top 10% of class at top 10% private school and has the credentials to go to a top conservatory on viola or cello but prefers not to. Qualitatively how does that play into admissions decisions at top schools. Thanks.
It will be considered as an EC, same as the non-recruited varsity tennis player, the drama club stage manager, the server at Denny’s, etc. If there is a further “wow” factor involved, it would come through the recs and the essays.
Not every musician wants to go to a conservatory, just like every star football player does not want to play in the NFL. The applicant’s decision not to pursue that path will not sway the admissions decision one way or the other.
@skieurope So are you saying it’s ‘better’ to have several ECs at a lower level (more dilettantish say) than to have an EC that a kid is really strong at?
Submit a music supplemental with the application. Some schools give scholarships for non majors. Lehigh invited my daughter to apply for one. St. Olaf is another school that comes to mind what offers merit scholarships for non majors.
I agree that any outside activity—unless it is acting as a direct “hook” whereby that activity is in and of itself forming the basis for admission (ie, recruited varsity athlete, music at a conservatory, etc.)—will be evaluated as an EC under that category of your admission decision. What that practically means is that non-hook ECs will not overcome poor grades, below average test scores, etc.
That being said, part of the “quality over quantity” theme with ECs means that being VERY involved in something, or having deep involvement plus talent (like music or a sport), is going to count for more than run-of-the-mill involvement in ordinary ECs. Is being a talented musician worth more than being member of some clubs and treasurer of honor society? Assuredly yes. But the reason for that is the depth and commitment being shown by spending time and effort developing a talent, not that the student is a great musician per se. Colleges, when they are evaluating the EC part of an applicant, are looking for kids who will contribute to campus life in some manner by being engaged, passionate, and active students.
@ArmadaClouds - you wrote on another thread their your child is 11 and choosing between a suzuki and traditional violin teacher, and is looking for advice about Pre-College music programs in NYC. Is this new thread about another one of your children who is a rising senior/violist/cellist and a realistic admit for conservatories?
Speaking from my own personal experiences around many high school age musicians through various youth symphonies from local to state to national, as well as numerous competitions and auditions, I can tell you that top colleges have demonstrated very favorable admission outlook on musician-scholars over the years that I’ve been monitoring with interest. My son’s violin studio routinely sends its students to HYP or top conservatories each year. He just performed a solo concert with four other solo instrumentalists who have become good friends over the years. Four of these instrumentalists are headed to HYP, while one is at the Jacobs School of Music at IU. This is not an exceptional example in my musical circle but has been a norm for many years.
One thing they all do have in common: they have worked their butts off for years to get to where they’re now with so much sacrifices. They didn’t just study and play music; they were involved in other EC activities, including community services. The odds are favorable if your kid is top in academics and top conservatory-level musician with other interesting and committed ECs and with compelling personal essays.
No, that’s not what I’m saying. In general, quality over quantity.