<p>I'm a high school junior. I really want to study somewhere like Penn, Northwestern, or Harvard. My grades have been really good, but I will probably get a B for the first time this year in AP Calculus and AP English. I'm very dedicated to music, and I want to pursue ethnomusicology. I'm in my school's competitive audition-only choir (soprano section leader) and band (I play the bassoon). I joined the Interact and Sewing for Service clubs this year, but Sewing for Service has been out of service for the past few months because of a teachers' strike. Outside of school, I'm in my church choir, I perform in musical theatre, I work as a cashier, I volunteer as a science presenter at the Franklin Institute, I raise Seeing Eye puppies, and I take bassoon and voice lessons. I'm very busy, but I'm worried that I don't do enough traditional high school activities. Will colleges like Penn care that I'm not president of anything or involved in many clubs?</p>
<p>i had absolutely no leadership positions and got in. music was actually one of my main ec’s as well…it definitely suffices if you show dedication in your app. Instead of picking up random club positions for the sake of adding them to your resume, just pursue the activities youre currently enrolled in to their fullest extent.</p>
<p>With that in mind, academics are more important than EC’s. Hands down. Get the best grades you can and take the hardest classes available…that’s key. The strongest applicants balance near-perfect academics with a few time-consuming school-independent activities that they show passion for in their application.</p>
<p>From what i’ve seen, these activities can truly be anything. If their nature is not leadership, that is absolutely fine!
good luck!</p>
<p>Colleges won’t care as much if you can show that your dedicated. It would still be good to a leadership position for senior yr, but it’s not too much of a biggie unless you’re applying to Wharton</p>
<p>Thank ya very much! gman427, you reaffirmed what i’ve been wanting to believe. I’m very dedicated to music, and I do have good grades. What were your grades like, especially in AP classes? My grades have been mostly A+'s and some A’s, just not this year. I have an 87 so far in AP Calculus, a 90 in AP English, and a 94 in AP Music Theory. I think they’ll all go up, though, since I’m getting used to them. I’m definitely taking the hardest classes I can; I’m just not getting stellar grades. Would they take into account that I’m pursuing music and not engineering or math?</p>
<p>I have fairly good grades. I did the best in junior year…i took six classes and got 4 A+'s and 2 A’s. But there was one B on my transcript (granted, it was in freshman health) and a few A-'s every now and then, mostly in language courses (not my thing). I actually got better as the classes got harder…I was a lazy, apathetic freshman haha. </p>
<p>Do your best to keep all of grades above 90, but in all actuality one B is not going to make or break you. Its the big picture that matters…if you clearly outline your interests, show evidence that you are pursuing them in and out of school, and clearly demonstrate success and achievement in those pursuits, you will be more competitive than most applicants.</p>
<p>By the way, what I’m saying only goes for Penn and Northwestern haha. Not only do I know a decent amount about both schools and feel they are comparable, but I also know many who have been accepted to both…sooo I feel confident giving advice about them to you.<br>
Harvard is a different story lol…i don’t know much about it, other than the fact that its nearly impossible to get in to and that no one has ever been accepted from my school. so dont assume that my advice holds for harvard…i would have been rejected in a heart beat!</p>
<p>Agree with gman- just want to add that having the job is a plus and so is the Franklin Inst. So many kids only focus on school-related activities. Any chance you can get involved this year in something related to ethnomus’ or some ethnic music group or fest? Something to show that extra proof of interest? </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>That’s a good idea!</p>
<p>Don’t know what part of enthnomusicology interests you- one example is to vol at one of the PA blues fests, even if it’s for a day or in some planning stage. There’s always something running, even now, and many not far from Phila. [Pennsylvania’s</a> Blues Events - links to blues festivals, concerts, clubs and societies in and around Pennsylvania](<a href=“Pennsylvania's Blues Events - links to blues festivals, concerts, clubs and societies in and around Pennsylvania”>Pennsylvania's Blues Events - links to blues festivals, concerts, clubs and societies in and around Pennsylvania) These folks are usually friendly and open. If it’s not blues, just find what’s around that you might like. Good luck.</p>
<p>I couldn’t find anything like that, but I had an idea. What if I e-mailed Penn ethnomusicology professors to see if they had any connections or research openings? All the kids on College Confidential have research experience…</p>
<p>What are some of your interests within enthnomusicology? I could be steering you wrong.</p>
<p>Try [Philadelphia</a> Folk Festival](<a href=“http://www.pfs.org/PFF_1_G.php]Philadelphia”>http://www.pfs.org/PFF_1_G.php) It’s not til summer. But, look at their upcoming events page- that includes winter things that seem to be mostly inside, of course. I’d offer to vol for the pfs. IMO, it doesn’t matter if you run errands, stuff envelopes, etc- you become an insider and more opportunities ensue.<br>
My experience is that most primary academic research is in the field- ie, not always in your home area (depends on the specific music.) IME, (at another school,) research assistant opps on campus went to students, starting with grad students, arranged as work-study or the like. You might actually get leads from your own music connections. Someone knows someone, etc.</p>