I love playing the violin. I have been taking my violin instruction into my own hands for several years now, and I am decent at playing the violin up to the point where I have gotten 5th place 1st violin in my regional orchestra along with 3 All-State recommendations, and concertmaster for my school orchestra. Is this a valid activity? How would I fill this out on the common app? How would colleges view this activity?
Your ECs would be “school orchestra” and “regional orchestra.” It doesn’t matter whether you taught yourself or not when you list ECs. It MIGHT fit into an essay, though, since it’s unusual not to have a music teacher. Don’t you get instruction when you play in the school orchestra, though?
@MaineLonghorn At my school we don’t get sufficient instruction. We are taught to play at an elementary level.
Then put it in your essay.
Agree, your regional and school orchestra would be the EC. I’d put concertmaster as part of the orchestra entry. The All-State would be an award. If you want to write an essay about being self-taught as a violinist that is fine, both otherwise, I would not consider what you do at home to be an additional EC.
Violin is an EC. Self taught is an essay
Being a self-taught violinist is definitely something you could write about in an essay. It shows you have determination, patience, and a strong desire to learn new things. Orchestra is a great ec overall, but being both self-taught and successful is even better.
If you don’t want to use it in your main common app essay, I believe their is a small one paragraph essay on the Common App asking you to briefly discuss one of your extra curriculars. That would be a great spot to highlight your passion for the violin and how you self-taught.
Awesome! Thank you all for your inputs!