<p>Hey all,
I recently heard that students with a history of music as an extra curricular on their application get a boost in MIT admissions, provided they still have strong academics. I was just wondering... is this true? If so, to what degree?</p>
<p>e.g. I've played violin for 11 years and am a member of a youth orchestra... how much would this help my application?</p>
<p>I really don’t know about that, but I always hear that in general college admissions look fondly upon well-rounded people. It can’t hurt you! I have had a fairly long history with flute and classical singing, and I submitted a supplement, but I was still deferred. Did you submit an arts supplement too?</p>
<p>I’m a junior, so I won’t be applying for another few months, but I’m most likely going to submit an arts supplement.</p>
<p>Good luck with your admission decision in 5 days!</p>
<p>I’ve read that 40-50% of MIT students pursue music in some way at MIT. There’s lots of literature/research about the connections between music and mathematical ability. My son, a junior, composed, performed, and taught in high school; he’s in MITSO (MIT Symphony Orchestra) now. I beieve his musical talent and ability helped him in college admissions, because it was his particular EC that he pursued for 10+ years in a variety of ways. I don’t think music ability, by itself, gives you a hook for admissions unless it is a major EC.</p>
<p>I am planning to continue my music education in college, though not for a degree.
I consider music a major extra-curricular in high school; I put hours upon hours into it every week, though I admit I’m not and will never be as epically talented as your son.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input, neuron39!</p>