Shortage Instruments

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi !</p>

<p>Does playing at a high level (started conservatory at 16) shortage instrument such as the double bass could really help my application ?</p>

<p>I'm planning to apply at Ivy League colleges plus some others like Amherst, Oberlin,... but I am B-student.</p>

<p>Thank you !!</p>

2

<p>Sorry to disappoint you, but there’s really no such thing as a “shortage instrument” past high school. There are enough double bass players in the country that music departments don’t NEED to have you. Not being familiar with how your school works, I don’t know exactly how good a B-student is, but don’t expect your choice of instrument to be a huge factor in admissions.</p>

3

<p>Bassplayer08, I’m going to post a series of links, which I suggest you read through, and a few questions as well. Understand these as guidelines (particularly in your case) where there are additional variables that may work for or against you.</p>

<p>Your grades are “low” in comparison to the typical applicant at the schools you name. It may simply boil down to your level of musical talent. It may not. Conservatory level training is by no means an automatic “in”, nor is an “under represented” instrument. </p>

<p>You need to understand the whole “package”. </p>

<p>Are you an international, or a US citizen residing in Europe? This will affect admission, as the policies for international admission vary considerably for each institution.</p>

<p>There can be confusion over the term “conservatory” between the US/European system. There are pre conservatory prep programs, performing arts high schools, and the “true” professional training conservatories like Curtis, Juilliard, New England Conservatory, Longy and others that do accept the most gifted at a young age into professional training and development. Were you trained in Europe, or the US? If in Europe, identifying the institutional name might help me understand and relate the level to US schools. PM me if you don’t want to post the name here.</p>

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<p>Are you a “B” student or a “B-” student? It makes a difference. There are others here with far better qualifications than I to assess your academics at the schools you name; in my opinion, my gut feeling tells me that unless you are at the pro/semi-pro level, or have amassed significant competition wins, it will have no effect on a Yale app; it may be “iffy” at Harvard or Princeton; it might be beneficial at the other Ivy schools, contingent upon their policies for internationals, as well as you as a “package” and the profile they wish to establish within an acceptance year. There is conservatory level talent at all these schools, with higher academic qualifications than yours. </p>

<p>Oberlin is unique because of the relationship between the college and conservatory (separate entities requiring dual admittance if one wants to study at both). If you wish to study exclusively at the college, I would venture your musical skill set would not impact an academic admission, which is “borderline” at best. It might, if you were applying to the conservatory (an audition admit process) or cross study at both the college and conservatory. </p>

<p>Amherst, and similar LAC’s with solid reputations and high academic standards will be individual crapshoots. Others here have more knowledge of the “stats” based process, the process for internationals; high level musical ability adds a facet that MAY be worth a data point or two, contingent upon factors such as music department “pull”, need for instrument balance, and if a school’s need justifies using musical talent in selecting you over a more academically/stats qualified candidate.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/738525-how-strong-music-ec.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/738525-how-strong-music-ec.html&lt;/a&gt;
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4

<p>The ivies would not let in a B- quarterback in most cases, it seems highly unlikely. Maybe focus on conservatories?</p>