<p>My main EC is clarinet, to which I devote much time. I know that many applicants play instruments, and my instrument is very common. Not that it will really change anything, for I don't plan on joining anything else, but I am wondering how my committment would come across on a college application. I ask only because I want to find out how to portray myself in applications next year, and how competitive this particular EC will make me. Here is a rundown of what I do in band:</p>
<p>I am in Honors Concert Band, a class in school, and I play in an extracurricular select group, the Wind Ensemble. Additionally, I participate in Summer Band and I play in the pit orchestra for the musical. As part of the Honors curriculum I take lessons and I play for solo and ensemble concerts that our school has. Also, I was 2nd chair in the district band. Today I got accepted to the MA All State Band (:D). </p>
<p>Is this exceptional committment? Again, I'm only asking to help me in my apps next fall, not to brag or anything. Thanks!</p>
<p>depends on what you consider exceptional and where youre applying...if your applying to harvard/ivies your skills may not be considered that exceptional but still above average but if youre going somewhere less competitive they may be considered exceptional...</p>
<p>Unless you are of a national level (say, good enough to become a non-teaching professional), then it won't be exceptional for the highest schools. If you get into the realm of practicing 3+ hours a day and doing all of those related ECs, then it is a very good EC, in my opinion. Again, it depends on the school (for example, do they need a clarinet for the orchestra?). The "strength" of the EC depends on 1) your commitment and 2) your ability. Your commitment is shown through activities, essays, hours per week, etc. Your talent can be shown through honors, awards, and a CD recording, which you should send.</p>
<p>Do you do any professional work now? Or do you just play in student groups, mostly through your school?</p>
<p>Hmmm...thanks for the quick (and honest) responses. Seeing as I do not do professional work, I guess that puts me at the "above average" but not "exceptional" level for this EC. Is that the consensus? I know that very few applicants at the Princeton level are truly exceptional, especially with such a popular EC, but I hope my commitment goes a little above and beyond the typical Ivy applicant clarinet player.</p>
<p>It isn't going to be the deciding factor either way. It's highly unlikely that any school is going to be wanting for talented clarinet players. Remember, in MA All-state, there are a couple dozen of people just like you - some younger and even more talented. Times fifty states. Many of these talented musicians are also aspiring to Ivy League schools. Your transcript will be much more important. They'll look at the amount of time you put into clarinet, but it's not a hook.</p>
<p>
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I guess that puts me at the "above average" but not "exceptional" level for this EC. Is that the consensus?
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Yup.
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Remember, in MA All-state, there are a couple dozen of people just like you - some younger and even more talented.
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This is a good point. Think about all of the other players who you competed against, who beat you out other years, and who also made all state. I'm sure a good number of these kids will be looking at some Ivy schools, as well.</p>
<p>NJ sent at least one All-State clarinet to Princeton last year. I personally know at least half a dozen region/all-state seniors (this is clarinet only) applying to Ivy League schools this year - and NJ is a fairly competitive state for music. </p>
<p>Honors bands can be a pretty humbling experience when you get beat out by kids three years younger than you are.</p>
<p>I think people are being too tough on you because you used the word "exceptional". Your EC's are outstanding, but not exceptional. You have a long-term committment and "passion" in a difficult EC, and you have regional and state honors in it. It is almost exceptional. In fact, I am willing to say that it is definitely borderline exceptional. Come on people, not everybody accepted to HYP has won the Medal of Honor, an Olympic Gold Medal, or made a movie.</p>
<p>The number one thing they care about is difficulty of curriculum. You needed to take the most difficult classes offered at your high school. Then they care about gpa/rank and then standardized test scores. They don't publish the median SAT at Harvard, but the SAT 50% range is 1400-1580. Since 25% of the people have 1580+, you have to figure that the median score must be around 1530-1540. If you have a 1480, it would be better to have a 800/680 than a 740/740.</p>
<p>After you qualify for consideration on the basis of your academic measures, they consider your EC's, essay and recs. They won't split hairs between high academic measures. A 1550 is every bit as good as a 1600. They want well rounded freshman classes, and not well rounded students. You want to present yourself as being unique. Rather than a long list of EC's with little involvement in any, they want to see long-term commitment and "passion" in one or two activities. If you have something besides music, add it.</p>
<p>The disappointing part is that after they narrow the field down to only the candidates with excellent academics and outstanding EC's, they still don't have room for everybody. Some college guides have referred to this as a lottery or crap shoot, but I don't like those terms because it makes it sound as if everybody has a shot. Only the top applicants do. Still, for everybody they accept, they deny/waitlist 4 or 5 people who are practically the accepted guy's clone. They just don't have room for everybody. The admissions process at the elite colleges has gone insane. Evidence of this is the fact that they often waitlist more people than they accept. It is easier to waitlist somebody than deny them when you just accepted the guy's twin. Also, acceptances at the elite colleges do seem random. One person will be accept there and denied there and somebody else will be the opposite.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I think people are being too tough on you because you used the word "exceptional". Your EC's are outstanding, but not exceptional. You have a long-term committment and "passion" in a difficult EC, and you have regional and state honors in it. It is almost exceptional. In fact, I am willing to say that it is definitely borderline exceptional. Come on people, not everybody accepted to HYP has won the Medal of Honor, an Olympic Gold Medal, or made a movie.
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And most people accepted to HYP do not have an "exceptional" EC; they simply present an attractive package.</p>
<p>I still do not think her EC exceptional or even borederline, though. I'm a pretty serious and successful musician, but I don't consider it exceptional. When do you think something crosses into the "exceptional" realm? </p>
<p>"Exceptional" is performing a solo with the NY Phil. 33 clarinetists make NJ All-State Band. Some states take fewer, sure, but it's a pretty safe bet that there are more than 1200 all-state clarinetists each year. That doesn't necessarily diminish each personal achievement because nobody can make all-state without a lot of hours of practice, but by no means would I call it "exceptional."</p>
<p>
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"Exceptional" is performing a solo with the NY Phil.
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My thoughts are similar. To me, exceptional is performing with a prestigious professional orchestra, winning high level national or international level competitions, composing notable music, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. dufus3709 I do have good stats (2300 SAT, 2/160) and some other ECs I am very committed to...I am by no means focusing solely on clarinet as a means to get into Princeton, but I hope it will get me over some hurdles. </p>
<p>corranged...I'm a him :p but you had no way of knowing that. I agree with your question:
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When do you think something crosses into the "exceptional" realm?
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This is basically why I made this thread...to explore that line between "great" and "exceptional". I know my involvement with band probably isn't exceptional, definitely not at the HYP level. But it is reassuring to know that some people think I'm close. And it's not even just me...I'm sure there are many other applicants in my shoes wondering how their committment looks on paper.</p>
<p>Oh, I know you're a guy! The full day of school just does he in! haha. Sorry 'bout that.</p>
<p>I wondered at how my music would be viewed, as well, but I have never considered my music involvement to be exceptional. I've played for very significant money since I was ten, and I spend a lot of time playing gigs at different events. I play in a professional pit orchestra with students who have just graduated Julliard, Curtis, Northwestern, Oberlin, etc. Most plan to pursue graduate work in their instruments. I'm definitely the best in my area, and my teacher has always expected me to be a professional musician for a living. I do not think that this is exceptional, though. I reserve that term for the truly and magnificently gifted individuals who have been reaching their full potentials.</p>
<p>Flute- 9 years
Piano- 3 years
Drums- 2 years
Voice- seriously about 4 years</p>
<p>(Bass in school Chorus +
Bass in school Choir +
Bass in school A Cappella group= 3 separate selective groups) + find a way each week to devote hours to each instrument. + I went to china last spring on tour with my choir to sing=</p>
<p>I still don't think my EC's are exceptional. Does that help at all?</p>
<p>I think most of the different opinions have to do with how one defines "exceptional". I know I am not and never will be truly exceptional at playing the clarinet. However, in the context of my studies, my other ECs, and my work (20 hrs/week) I hope that my performance on the clarinet is slightly above the typical musician applicant. That is more the use of "exceptional" I was getting at, not the "outstanding/genius" form. </p>
<p>corranged..don't worry about it. You sound like a very impressive and dedicated musician...what do you play?</p>
<p>It is how you define exceptional. I wonder, at this point, if people noticed that you said:
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I was 2nd chair in the district band. Today I got accepted to the MA All State Band
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Regional and state recognition is very important. I was saying borderline exceptional because I was holding back something for national honors or the people who are playing for city symphonies.</p>
<p>Funny you mention, I'm actually considering trying out for the GBYSO, the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. I know I have a very long shot of making it, but it could be really fun (and beneficial to my app as a bonus).</p>