I really want to get into Swarthmore or Amherst, but my ECs are a bit lacking. Does playing an in-demand instrument such as the bassoon improve my chances of admission at these schools? I haven’t won any major awards on it and I’m not planning on becoming a music major, but I’m not bad at what I do.
I can’t really afford a bassoon at the moment though—I’ve used the same school bassoon since the 7th grade (an excellent school bassoon, but still).
I don’t know. I’m just trying to think of things that will set me apart on the application. I’m also pretty good at writing and I plan on submitting pieces for YoungArts and Scholastic this year, but I don’t really know how I’m going to put those on my apps since the results come back later than the application deadlines.
It’s just another EC. They might want to you for their orchestra, but you would need to submit a supplement - if a faculty member considers it to be outstanding, it would help your application.
I would not count on it being anything more than a nice EC. If a particular school might want you for the orchestra would depend on: 1) if you are truly an outstanding bassoon player and 2) if the school currently has a bassoon player in its orchestra.
And FWIW at another LAC my D had to bring her own instrument to participate in the orchestra so you may need to see if arrangements would need to be made in that regard.
Think of it this way. Telling them you have played the bassoon since ??? tells them part of what you enjoyed doing outside the academic realm. I think it would give you a “better chance” than not mentioning it. Whether or not it will inspire them to choose you over another applicant I can’t answer.
You can always send a recording as a supplement if you feel that you are good enough that it would make a difference and would make the orchestra director keen to have you.