<p>" I don't think playing the violin is much of a boost in admissions unless there is true love and dedication."</p>
<p>Because so many Asians get their kids involved in taking classical music lessons, playing the violin is no boost in admissions unless one is playing at the prodigy level and already getting paid for doing solo concerts at places like Carnegie Hall. Being concertmaster or concertmistress of one's school orchestra will not make one stand out in admission at Ivies or similarly competitive colleges.</p>
<p>Certainly pursue music lessons if that's what you love. Just don't do it thinking that will get you into Harvard unless you are as good now as Yoyo Ma was as a teen when even then he was one of the world's best cellists.</p>