<p>Ok, I know this is pretty random, but I heard somewhere that if you play an instrument that is needed in colleges (the viola, for example) you MIGHT get a better chance of being admitted. Is this true? I play viola (though definitely not for college stuff, I just like it) and was wondering if that would affect admission chances. I hear that at some colleges, orchestra conductors/teachers have some say in admissions, but at others they have absolutely no power at all. This is all assuming I'm not applying for a music major, I just want to play in the orchestra. Would playing the viola tip the scale at all? Also, a little off topic, but I'm now wondering about another myth: Does applying as a music help admission chances? I don't think I'd do it (even if it helped), but I'm just curious. Thanks!</p>
<p>In this case, no, none at all.</p>
<p>What is your skill with the viola? I’m pretty sure you are not the ONLY one in the entire school who knows how to play the viola, but you have to be pretty good at it even if the music conductor has a say. You must describe you accomplishments with it; your level, performances, competitions, et. cetera. So even if the music conductor has no say, your skill with the viola can be just one of your many talents.</p>
<p>Unless you’re applying as a music major with audition cds, if not in person auditions, it’s not going to help you. Think about, what is happening is that people in the music department are evaluating the students because admissions isn’t qualified to. So just being able to play an instrument isn’t going to help.</p>
<p>No, I will be giving them a CD of my playing and stuff. I was just talking more generally, like if the orchestra needed violas.</p>
<p>Your desire to just play, versus be a music major, is akin to someone saying they will want to play club Rugby or work on the college newspaper or work diligently with Habitat for Humanity – all these are worthy college pursuits. But there are no admissions slots allocated to these. Sorry.</p>