<p>Many colleges offer the option to send an optional artistic supplement. However, many colleges also warn not to submit one unless your talents are "extraordinary."
for example, this is on the yale website</p>
<p>"Please consider sending musical materials only if your accomplishments are truly outstanding for a high school musician and if your playing or composing is a strong and important part of your application. Submissions that demonstrate an average or merely competent level of ability for a high school musician will not help your application and are discouraged."</p>
<p>I am highly considering sending a music supplement with my application. I have played classical piano for 13 years, I consider myself very advanced, and have placed in several competitions. but I have no idea how high yale musical standards are. Are music supplements generally very high level? How should I decide whether or not I am "extraordinary" enough to submit a supplement?</p>
<p>Please follow all the links within and in the subsequent threads, as there are numerous scenarios discussed, ranging from the “out of the box” to questions similar to yours.</p>
<p>Conservatory level ability is not an uncommon trait among many Ivy applicants. If you consider your talents equal or beyond that benchmark, it may be a data point or two, it may not. A significant national/international competition win may sweeten your chances, but it is just one of many selection criteria in Yale and similar highly competitive admissions.</p>
<p>It’s part of you and your app as a complete package, and typically not a make or break scenario.</p>
<p>^Conservatory level is a pretty accurate description of my level. I attended tanglewood and interlochen for summer camp at the end of middle school/beginning of high school, and I was maybe in the top quarter of the pianists there
Thanks for the thread links, they are very helpful.
I just want to make sure that I am not hurting my chances by submitting a CD when the colleges ask only for unusually high talent. it’s a very vague (and high) standard</p>
<p>That background would indicate a talent at or approaching conservatory level. Realize also that piano, flute, violin tend to be among the most “popular”, and I would expect the quality of peer supplements to be very high in these categories. </p>
<p>Give it a shot. It should not hurt, and may help. But realize that you are not alone in this category. It is not an uncommon talent within the applicant pool you aspire to.</p>
<p>@OP: It’s a very tricky thing yes, but you sound quite amazing, so go ahead! Have some confidence, your forte is being a virtuoso musician! My mom sent a CD & artworks to Brown & UPenn. She got into both, and matriculated into Brown :D</p>
<p>So, go ahead and send in your most likely amazing CD! Besides, it’s not like the CD could completely ruin the app. Worst case scenario is if they think it’s “average” and look at the other parts of your app. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>Thanks violadad, you are incredibly helpful</p>
<p>thanks for the compliments big dreamer! but my music actually isnt my strongest forte. it used to be; but in recent years it has become secondary to my academic competitions, etc</p>
My mom sent a CD & artworks to Brown & UPenn. She got into both, and matriculated into Brown :D</p>