Hi, I’ve finally decided that I want to apply as a music major to most of my schools, but I also want to be on the pre-med track. I am an Indian male, so I know doctor is a big stereotype. I truly have a genuine passion for music and I did address it in my supplemental but I also discussed how I want to dive into research. 4-5/10 activities on the common app are music related while the other 5 are leadership/medical. Will college admission officers believe that I’m truly trying to do music, or will they think that I’m using music as bait to break the Indian stereotype, stand out, and get in??
Please answer… I have 5 days til the deadline. The school’s I’m concerned about are UPenn and Duke in particular.
Is your question will the college believe that you want to be a music major? Well, IMO it doesn’t matter. Formal majors are not declared until usually the end of sophomore year. If you are accepted to either college you will be accepted into the liberal arts school. Admissions officers fully understand that you could change your major from music to literally anything else offered as a major in the school to which you have been accepted. I’ve heard admission officer say that of those who apply with a major that approximately 50% end up changing the major while in college so (other than for colleges that accept students by major which these do not) the intended major is really not much of a factor in admissions decisions. And I’ve come across a number of of Indian students who play music at a high level so I don’t think that is unusual.
FWIW my daughter is at a competitive, top 10 public school and one of her friends has a full academic scholarship, he’s a music major, composes beautiful music, and he’s also a serious pre-med student. If most of the activities you’re listing are based either in music or medicine, it does sound like you’re serious and passionate about both. You’ve clearly devoted significant time, what sounds like years of your life, to both interests, and sought out some leadership experiences. We heard so much about “depth of engagement” when she was applying to college and you seem to be demonstrating that with these two key interests. I can’t imagine those schools thinking of your interests as “bait” and a reason to not admit you…that would be twisted and awful, and I don’t think awful people work in those admissions offices.
@happy1@x793n28 Thank you for your responses! Yes, I guess my question was "Whether colleges will believe I want to pursue music? (my apologies, my wording was weird). I’m going to frame my essays to reflect my passion in music and medicine (Genomic Big Data research). Would you err on the side of talking about one or both? Would it hurt to write about two contrastingly different subjects in one supplemental. Also, I’m not intending on sending a supplemental as I dnt have access to recording equipment, would this hurt my chances?
My suggestion would be to write the essay that most reflects you, in a very personal and genuine way. If you can successfully weave together your passions for both music and science in one essay, then do that. If not, then determine which subject resonates most strongly and go with that one. Thousands of kids like music and science and want to be doctors. Make sure the reader understands why YOUR feelings about these subjects are unique to YOU. Perhaps consider these questions when you are writing: What sparked your interest in these subjects? Why do you stick with music and science when these inevitably become challenging? Why do you think you can make a difference in the medical field you are pursuing? In your career you will probably move the needle a little bit, you will work with many other people from many other disciplines – your career choice is not an easy one, it comes with huge challenges – why is it something you want to do and why does this career choice speak to you? How do music and science overlap in your life? Remember that everyone loves a good story, use the essay space to convey the story that belongs uniquely to you.
So to your question about whether or not they will believe you? They will believe what you tell them. You have your own talents, abilities, interests, and gifts, and ultimately you want to use these to heal others, why? Use the essay to share a snapshot of your life and be convincing and genuine. Draw the reader into your life for a few minutes. Also, have your favorite English teacher and GC review it before you send it in.
As far as not sending a supplemental with recorded music and that hurting you, I do not know since my daughter was not a musician. Can you make a youtube video and include the link??