<p>Hi everyone! This is my first post on CC.</p>
<p>I'm currently working on my Princeton supplement, and I was wondering if someone clarify the "Favorite Recording" question. Recording could mean anything from a song to an audiobook to a speech, and I'm just not sure what Admissions is looking for. Any advice would be appreciated!</p>
<p>I would assume song and artist, not just the piece, hence the use of recording rather than song. So Joshua Bell’s performance of Brandenburg Concerto #3 rather than just Brandenburg Concerto #3 .</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Just classical songs? What if my favorite recording was, for instance, “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry?</p>
<p>Killbeefgoham,
I doubt that the question is limited to classical music, but your comment basically summarized the dilemma I’ve been having in my applications. Schools say that they want you to be honest in your applications, but an applicant who puts, for example, the Brandenburg Concerto as his favorite recording may seem more intelligent than someone who puts, for example, Teenage Dream (I am in no way implying a correlation between listening to Katy Perry’s music and possessing a lack of intelligence). I want to appear qualified for schools like Princeton, but I don’t want to create a false persona.</p>
<p>I think that’s a rather stereotypical correlation…they’re asking teenagers what their favorite music is. They’re going to get all kinds of answers. Don’t overthink it.</p>
<p>Do they actually listen to the recordings, then? My favorite recording (not teenage dream, btw) has lots of vulgar language. I love the song because I relate to it better than any other song I’ve heard, but I don’t want adcoms to think I a stereotypical black teenager who only listens to vulgar rap music. </p>
<p>Maaaaybe I’m overthinking this.</p>
<p>^lol, no. that’s absurd</p>
<p>Folks, you are not going to be judged on what music you like. You are going to be judged on how well / interestingly /succinctly you explain what’s so great about it and why you like it better than anything else. </p>
<p>Also, to a very important extent, it’s not a competition to see who would make the best music critic; it’s a way to help the adcoms figure out who you are as a person. If you maybe had a romantic interest in someone, and he or she maybe reciprocated, at least a bit, and you were hanging out some or maybe going on a date to see what happened, chances are you would have a conversation like this fairly early on in the getting-to-know-you phase. Princeton is trying the same thing. Your job is not to prove you have the best taste in music but to be interesting enough that Princeton wants to date you again.</p>
<p>My favorite recording is a piece of classical music, but it is evident from the rest of my application that I love classical music. I’m not putting it down just to be impressive. I wouldn’t overanalyze this. Most of my answers to those questions won’t be “scholarly.” However, I would stay away from music with lots of profanity/sexual content.</p>
<p>I guess it can be recording of anything. Like for example recording of a speech, dance etc.</p>
<p>“Recording” is a pretty vague term…I wouldn’t get too hung up about trying to interpret what they mean. The more important component is that you answer truthfully what you like. I find the overall culture at Princeton to be pretty non-judgemental and open minded. I seriously doubt anyone will think you are smarter because you answered that you like classical music more than pop. Remember - this is the adcom that reads around 27,000 applications per year - I am pretty sure they have seen it all. I think it’s a lot riskier to try and answer what you “think” they are looking for. Authenticity is important and it’s going to be even more important if you do ultimately gain admission to Princeton (ie - the honor code).</p>
<p>Just checked, fave song has 7 instances of profanity and no sexual content. Still, it’s incredibly heartfelt and I have a great reason for it being my favorite. Should I pick something different it just go with it?</p>
<p>Also, where does it ask you to explain why you picked that specific song?</p>
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<p>Colleges may think you listed the Brandenburg Concerto just to try to appear more intellectual. That could backfire. Kind of like answering “What is your favorite outfit” with “My tweet jacket and pipe.”</p>
<p>Okay, I just want to make it clear that I am in no way saying that you should put down Brandenburg Concerto #3, or something similar, as your favorite recording. It was just an example. I would definitely recommend honesty. You’ll sound fake if you put down Bach just for sake of putting down Bach. Now if you’re 1st chair at All State and are planning on submitting an audition piece, then that’s a different story.</p>
<p>And just for reference, Bach is more Baroque than Classical. If you didn’t know that, then you definitely shouldn’t put down Brandenburg 3.</p>
<p>Princeton rep came to my school earlier this week. He said a recording could be anything that was “recorded.” Thus, a ted talk, youtube video, song, etc.</p>
<p>Are we supposed to give an explanation behind our answers for each of these questions?</p>
<p>Do we have to explain the favorites or just list them? (e.g., “Cortex’s ‘Huit Octobre’” or do we have to add “I like it because…”)</p>
<p>Just list them.</p>