School of Music

<p>Does anyone know how competitive the school of music is? I plan on applying to the double degree program (Weinberg and Music) in violin performance. What is the quality of the violin students at Northwestern and how does a good audition weigh in with grades? My stats are not extraordinary (3.95 W GPA, rank 44/~540), and while NU is my top choice school, I do not want to apply ED. If anyone has any answers to these questions it'd be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>I applied to the School of Music this year for double degree (Weinberg and Music) for Music ed as piano as my instrument. I don't know a lot about violin performance, but I do know that NU music is very competitive - more than I ever expected. It almost seems to me that because it has an incredible double degree program at such a top school it is even harder to get in than some conservatories. I know A LOT of people try out. Just for my weekend they said that they had about 600 people. They have two other weekends plus regionals plus recordings. So that starts to add up. Still, it's better to call the school and ask how many violins they take and how many audition.
As for your grade question. I had a very high GPA (4.0) and was top in my grade and I was not accepted to Music. I'm not sure how much impact this had on their decision. They say they look at the whole student meaning grades are just as important as the audition, but I am almost positive this is not true. I felt that they put a lot more weight on the audition than grades. If you're talented enough, they say they will fight for you.
One more thing, just so you know, it is possible to be accepted to one school and not the other. I was accepted to Weinberg and not Music and I had no idea this was possible until they said so at the audition weekend.
Whether it is really competitive for a violin spot or not, I would still say to take a shot at it. It's a good experience and you never know what will happen. Good luck!</p>

<p>wow i never knew the music admission was really tough. i got in as a double major as bio and piano performance. im guessing it's basically two admissions, one for science and one for music. the stats go to weinberg and the audition to music. for the music, i sent in a cd the absolute last day. i completely forgot about my northwestern music application until they sent me a final notice :l. Although i recorded basically everything the day of (rushed like a mother, never wanted to feel that again) the quality was decent. I'm also guessing they look at the rec, repertoire, and music history. for me, my repertoire was huge (around 30 songs throughout 4 years, all went through regional/state/1 kinda natl audition) and my participation in high school music was also good (percussion, jazz vibes, wind ensemble, school plays). My advice - do the cd, take your time, and make it perfect. that's all i could say for the music application. honestly, i didn't even plan to major in music, northwestern, but as i got rejected from every other school and i got a big scholarship from the music department as well, this was a nice backup :)</p>

<p>and if its your top choice, why not ED? might as well get through the application and laugh at your friends while theyre still scrambling for admissions. I did, but to the wrong college (harvard :D)</p>

<p>wow m0nkies, northwestern was a backup for you?? I would've killed to get in. I've always thought that CD wasn't the best way to go. Even if you make mistakes in the audition I felt it was important for them to see you play and what you're like as a person. Your repertoire probably sealed the deal.</p>

<p>that's funny, i'm a violin major as well looking into NW. I'm not sure about the violin program, but i'm assuming there are more spots open than for piano. do you know what your audition rep will be? i'm not sure what to work on yet.</p>

<p>I don't know; I'll probably do some Bach and Mozart, the same stuff I used for the NHSMI audition, in which I received a response of acceptance only a week after I sent in the application. I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, or if it reflects at all whatsoever my chances of attending the actual school of music. Are you going?</p>

<p>for repertoire for the audition look at the school of music website and they'll tell you what you need to prepare.</p>

<p>thats cool. i'm planning on auditioning in the fall..maybe for ED, i'll see how much i improve over the summer</p>

<p>I'm a junior in high school right now and i'm planning to apply for ed for piano performance major. Anyone know which professors are good? Any advices for me?</p>