Music Hook at Stanford?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
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<p>I recently heard the Stanford symphony and Wind Ensemble play, but to be honest, I was shocked at how mediocre the student music groups were at Stanford. But of course, I still love the school and I really want to go!</p>

<p>I could not send the music supplements in time for the Dec. 1 Deadline, but I am a Trombone player who consistently placed first in All State Competitions. I played with several nationally recognized youth symphonies and ensembles.</p>

<p>I think I said in my common app that my main interest was music, and do you think having Strong Music credentials + strong stats, (4.0, 2300+), and other leadership and summer activities can help me stand out? (despite not submitting a recording?)</p>

<p>It was curious to me whether Stanford sort of "recruits" for musicians, considering not many people play the Trombone, or Brass instruments in general like Trumpet and Tuba over some more common instruments like Violin and Flute.</p>

2

<p>a) It’s too late, so I wouldn’t worry about it.</p>

<p>b) I don’t think they really care, sorry. I’m a horn player, but I never figured it would give me an edge, nor do I think it did in REA. I mean obviously it helps that you have a passion, and that you commit to it, but whether that’s music or math or poetry or dance or whatnot, I don’t think Stanford actually selects for musicians. As you mentioned, their music ensembles are decidedly mediocre, from a college caliber standpoint. Their marching band is also not much of a band (although I’m tempted to join, that looks FUN).</p>

3

<p>yes, it helps. a classmate of my son applied Stanford ED and got accepted. She used Music as her hook. She is one of the two Stanford bound students in the ED round from the senior class of 670 students. She is ranked in the top 4-5% range.<br>
The Valedictorian and other higher ranked students have been deferred or outright rejected by Stanford.</p>

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<p>I guess music is like any other passion (math, science research, etc)</p>

<p>Hmmm but yes, I don’t think Grades and academic excellence cut it for colleges like Stanford anymore, since everyone has great stats nowadays.</p>

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<p>myboby, don’t be too misleading. While the music obviously helped, it’s not a “hook” in and of itself any more than math, science, chess, etc are hooks. That is, while “recruited athlete” is considered a hook because Stanford wants the student there to play sports, “musician” is not a hook because Stanford does not admit musicians based primarily on musical merit.</p>

<p>Furthermore, “rank” isn’t really all Stanford looks for. Stanford is incredibly holistic in evaluation, and it’s much more likely that the accepted had superior ESSAYS to the high ranks, than that music was the deciding factor.</p>

<p>PS Stanford is REA, not ED.</p>

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<p>Stanford goes out its way to encourage submission of supplements from exceptional musicians. It provides music audition opportunities both on campus and at an East Coast venue. It leaves time (by requiring that applications with music supplements be submitted 1 December) for review of the supplements by music department faculty.</p>

<p>Doesn’t all this suggests that Stanford takes strong music talent seriously?</p>

<p>It’s unfortunate that you didn’t submit the supplement. The message for next year’s applicants who may read this thread is that they need to take every opportunity available to them in the application process – and that includes timely submission of music supplements.</p>

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<p>i was pretty disappointed to find the submission date to be as early as December 1st.</p>

<p>I wanted to make my recording pretty solid, and I assumed every college i was applying to they wanted the arts supplement by their regular deadline. Stanford turned out to be the only exception when I browsed its website early December.</p>

<p>But anyway, any other instrumentalists out there, who wants to play for symphony orchestras or music ensembles as undergrads?</p>

<p>@stressedasian,</p>

<p>How good are you at horn? Just wondering. I want to learn horn so much, after hearing Tchaik 5, 2nd movement horn solo… Gosh it’s amazing. In fact, i am going to go listen to it right now haha</p>

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<p>fogcity: This would suggest that Stanford takes music talent seriously, but a student is unlikely to be admitted to Stanford with music as a primary basis as is fully possible for athletic merit (see: Andrew Luck). I’m not suggesting that Stanford doesn’t take it seriously, but rather pointing out that it’s not exactly a “hook” in and of itself. Any activity or talent is looked upon favorably, and passion and commitment are obviously high on the Stanford list of priorities. That being said, to say music is a “hook” in the College Confidential sense of “hook” is a touch misleading.</p>

<p>TromboneDude: I took sophomore year off and didn’t practice, so I sort of tanked after Freshman year. I’m still alright, I suppose, although I was much better Freshman year, haha.</p>

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<p>Brass instrument is really dependent on muscle memory more than anything so even a week or two off can really make a difference in a brass player’s playing. </p>

<p>That’s why I always take my instrument with me even on international trips!</p>

10

<p>Hi, I’m a member of '16, a musician, and I play in the Stanford Wind Ensemble, member of LSJUMB, etc. </p>

<p>The best way I can describe Stanford’s Music Department is small and intimate. The fact is that Stanford does not have a school of music, so there are only about 20 people in each class that actually major in music (14 in 2010, <a href=“http://facultysenate.stanford.edu/2010_2011/reports/SenD6383_deg_conf_0910.pdf[/url]”>http://facultysenate.stanford.edu/2010_2011/reports/SenD6383_deg_conf_0910.pdf&lt;/a&gt;).</p>

<p>The ensembles are composed primarily by non-music majors, who probably don’t have all the time in the world to dedicate to their instrument like performance majors at state schools do. </p>

<p>That being said, if you’re looking to play here, you will be satisfied. I’m considering double majoring in music, emphasis in composition, and something science-ish and the profs i’ve spoken to are superb. (FYI: It’s totally manageable to double major in music and something else with a lot of wiggle room). If you’re thinking about majoring in Music, the department itself is very good, although it doesn’t have the prestige level of some Ivy’s, Harvard, Yale, etc. It’s an academic department. Stanford just built a brand new, 111 million dollar Bing Concert Hall (which sounds great), which is a gesture meant to expand the arts here. </p>

<p>I did submit a composition supplement to Stanford, on the Dec. 1 deadline, and it is really the only remarkable thing I did, or enjoyed, in high school. While I am almost certain that Stanford does not actively recruit on music alone, your playing and interest will definitely help you out. Stanford is also starting a new program called ITALIC ([Stanford</a> Daily | Burbank to get residential programs based on SLE](<a href=“http://www.stanforddaily.com/2013/01/14/burbank-to-get-residential-programs-based-on-sle/]Stanford”>Burbank to get residential programs based on SLE)) with an emphasis on the arts. </p>

<p>tl;dr it will help you but like @stressedasian152 said it will not get you in exclusively.</p>

<p>message me if you have any questions</p>

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<p>@Purpender,</p>

<p>Wow, thank you so much for your detailed response.
I am not expecting to get in as I haven’t submitted my recording, let alone the single digit acceptance rate.</p>

<p>But it seems like Stanford has a pretty solid Music department. Doing music sounds actually quite great over there, though the ensembles may not be up to par with like Yale’s. Fingers crossed for a good news… hopefully</p>

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<p>Hello, @Purpender !</p>

<p>Wonderful response. My son submitted a composition portfolio last fall and is waiting for the admission decision. Could I ask you what your test scores were? He did a portfolio for piano, and then another piece for wind instruments. </p>

<p>Thank you!
-a parent </p>

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<p>@hiker123. Sorry this thread is over a year old…and the odds of Purpender responding is very low. First of all I would not be worried about test scores at this point or the music supplements that your son has already submitted. What is done is done. </p>

<p>Second, yes passion, dedication, high level accomplishments (preferably at the state/national/international) in the instrument/composition will definitely help…but just being “good” at the local high school/orchestra level may not cut it for most since so many kids use music as an extracurricular activity…</p>

<p>…it is very similar to being a “good” athlete at the high school level…if the athlete is not of the highest caliber (usually nationally recruited/international junior Olympic level)…the students participation in sports will just be considered another extracurricular activity…</p>

<p>…I don’t know at what level your son performed…but you and your son have to be realistic that so many other students submit music/art supplements to Stanford…it will have to stand out and be consistent with a sterling music resume that your son attached…</p>

<p>…hope this helps shed some light in this difficult process…best wishes!</p>