<p>I think they sent the letters out at the same time
because I live in California.</p>
<p>andi -- i think i read a while back that your son applied EA to yale for music. i've been hearing a lot of discouraging news about yale's music program (particularly in the "Williams or Yale?" thread that i started). </p>
<p>what have you to say? Sorry, i'm aware this is a swarthmore forum, but i am in a hurry to get this question out of my system. I applied to Swarthmore after discovering they support private lessons (not to mention, they have steinway grand pianos in almost every practice room!!). I applied to williams because i had heard that they are strong in chamber music. I applied to princeton because of their performance certificate program. And I applied to Yale because before I joined College Confidential, I had heard raving praises about their undergraduate commitment to music (and easy access to the graduate School of Music professors).</p>
<p>I am totally confused now. What is the reality with these schools' music programs?</p>
<p>oh, and congrats to everyone who got into swat already! I'm anxiously crossing my fingers for a likely letter within the next few days.</p>
<p>i just found out that a girl at my school got an early letter...i guess i'm not going to be lucky enough to get one. boo hoo.</p>
<p>i got my letter today as well. congratulations to the other students who were/will be accepted early, and good luck to those of you still waiting--i am definitely in the same situation for amherst.</p>
<p>WAHOO!! I GOT A LETTER I'M SO HAPPY I CAN'T USE PROPER GRAMMAR. WHOOT!! :-D :-D :-D it really is like a dream come true. </p>
<p>I have boring stats that look like everyone else's. And I'm too happy to really post superficial stats. I will say I live in MD. So if you got in and you live nearish here, throw me an email or something.</p>
<p>twink - these are just early letters. there's still hope for the next round.</p>
<p>Janerdoo, S could have written the same post himself and I'm sorry to say that we don't yet know the answer! I take it you're looking for a liberal arts program with strong piano instruction? He didn't apply to Williams (and I'll have to check out your thread) because even though they seemed to have chamber music, which he is definitely interested in, there didn't seem to be a lot of support overall in classical music, especially piano. And he figured that not being close to a city would have music limitations in itself. But he did apply to Swarthmore and Princeton for the reasons you stated. He also applied to Columbia because even though he didn't like the joint program with Juilliard, (and it's doubtful he would have gotten into the Juilliard portion anyway) he figured that he could probably get a good piano teacher in NYC. (We know of someone who tried to do the joint program and couldn't hack it - it's brutal. And we didn't like the fact that you live at one school for part of the time and then at the other) He has applied to H, because, what he learned from a friend there is that there is a piano association that will help with piano instruction and there is support for piano outside of the regular curriculum. Also applied to Oberlin liberal arts and likewise didn't want to do the joint program. But, there he has a friend who went to liberal arts only and wasn't able to get many music opportunities because they were all taken up by the conservatory students. So sorry to say we haven't found the solution either, and yes, we have heard the same negative things about Yale. At this point he hasn't heard from any schools and he will be happy to just get accepted at any place. The best case scenario would be that he'd get accepted at a couple of places and then be able to compare them for the piano instruction. Aside from the challenge to get into these schools, it's been hard to actually ferret out the information. Thanks for your post.
andi</p>
<p>Andi and Janderoo:</p>
<p>When someone has very specific interests, such as conservatory level composition or piano, there really is no substitute for contacting the music departments directly.</p>
<p>Put together a synopsis of what it is you are looking for , more detailed than "how's the music department at...." which could mean a million different things. Then, send an e-mail to the chair of the department at each school asking how your needs could be met. If you are visiting, try setting up a meeting with the appropriate professors.</p>
<p>I don't know about the other schools, but I think the Swarthmore profs would be generally honest in assessing whether or not what they offer would meet, or could be tailored to meet, your needs. Or, at least outlining the pros and cons of what they offer. The more you can detail what it is you are looking for, the better they can answer your questions.</p>
<p>Once you start talking conservatory-level interests at a liberal arts college, you are in the realm of a very specialized interest. There is going to be no substitute for doing your own tire-kicking. Are the resources there? Do you get the sense that the school is willing to design a program for you?</p>
<p>interesteddad thanks so much for your advice. I'm going to pass your post along to my s. It would definitely make sense to approach the schools he gets accepted to like that. Sounds like a very good strategy. And hopefully he will get accepted someplace!!! We're heard zero of eight at this point.
andi</p>
<p>To all the people who haven't heard - it does not mean anything. They sent about 10% of acceptances now, the rest are going to be mailed on April 1. Don't worry.</p>
<p>I say that from last year's experience - I'm not an adcom or anything!</p>
<p>ahhh that's nice knowing</p>
<p>I was just going to post that very question! Thanks so much! I guess I won't get too excited when the mail carrier arrives each day. But darn, I wish they'd send them all now!! Why do they have to prolong the agony??</p>
<p>yup i can't wait either. i've been liking swarth more and more...</p>
<p>I got an early-write from Swat. I'm thrilled. Now only two colleges left to hear from that I truly care about. </p>
<p>My stats are decent. I've posted them up before, if you feel like visiting my post history.</p>
<p>achat, thanks for telling us that.
I swear, I might have had an anneurysm if you didn't. When I saw the mailbox was empty again I was sad, but I guess there's still a shread of hope!</p>
<p>whoops... typo. I meant shred.</p>
<p>My son called. They said they would be sent out April. A small number had been sent early (athlete's and such). But most would be sent on April 1st so don't panic.</p>
<p>Yes, don't worry. A majority of acceptees will get it on April 1. This is just an Early Write, something many colleges do. In the end, it does not really matter what you got - once you get in no one cares!!</p>
<p>(Same goes for your stats and SAT scores)..</p>
<p>ALL athletes get their letters now? just a select few? why do they send out some early and not others?</p>
<p>The woman didn't say. She just said a few are sent out early, athletes and such. That was all she said. She didn't say all athletes.</p>