I have had NO theater or vocal training but can sing well and have always sang wherever I go, although never as a performance and have never videotaped myself. I see myself joining theater and vocal groups at any college I go to.
I have had the idea to cover a song from one of my favorite (and relevant) plays (Dear Evan Hansen). Would it be a poor choice to include this in my applications because it demonstrates raw talent rather than dedication/training… For example, Colorado College says to include a music submission that demonstrates “intonation, phrasing, and repertoire”. I sing in the shower— I don’t know what that means!!!
Help me not embarrass myself?
Given that you yourself describe it as “mediocre”…my gut feeling is that you don’t want anything in your app that makes you look mediocre.
Why not apply to the colleges you want to without submitting a video and if accepted join musical groups after? Just a thought. My kid is a really good tennis player and he is trying out for the tennis “traveling” club tomorrow at his University. This way you can enjoy without worrying. Or go for it. Record yourself send it in and see what happens. Sometimes a risk can equate to a unexpected reward. Don’t stress about it. Stay positive in all aspects of your application. Wishing you the best, seriously!
I would not recommend sending any type.of art/music supplement unless it is.of a.very very high (almost conservatory level) caliber. From your description I don’t think you are in that category.
@happy1 @bodangles This Original poster might not be classically trained and could have raw talent . I can’t judge this child based on their written insecurities. Let’s not completely quash their dream. My Son, in my opinion, wrote a goofy essay, his friends loved it. It got him into the “#1 University” somehow we expect our kids to become brilliant writers to apply to Universities. They are novices and sometimes it works. Being real is what matters. Let’s be supportive.
@1Tiger21 What are you talking about? Nobody told them not to join musical groups, nobody said “You’ll never make it,” nobody said “You probably suck anyway.”
We said don’t put a recording in the app. Most people don’t. The people who do will be very well versed in what a good recording will entail.
@1Tiger21 Nobody is quashing anyone’s dreams. Nobody here even opined on the quality of the OP’s voice/talent. I am just letting the OP know the quality of submissions that are considered to be helpful for college admissions. Sending a supplement that does not demonstrate (in the OPs words) “dedication/training” would likely be counter-productive. Admissions officers are swamped and really are not looking to review (or to ask a professor in the area) to review arts submissions that are not outstanding.
This absolutely does not mean that the OP should not try out for college musicals and follow his/her passion/interest. FWIW my D is an excellent violin player and acted in productions in HS – she did not consider sending an arts supplement with her college application… Yet she still had no issue playing in her college orchestra and getting involved in (and performing in) college theater productions.
@bodangles and @happy1 Please reread my original and subsequent comments ., also reread your responses to The Op and me. I suggested this child stay positive. I also suggested that anyone can potentially achieve what they want if they try. Also don’t crush a dream, support it. Writing here can sometimes lead to misunderstandings since tone and facial expressions aren’t at all apparent. Stay positive @ayekevay !
Nobody is crushing anything. OP can get involved in whatever activities they want, perform anywhere or -when they want, chase their dreams of singing. Not one of us said a SINGLE thing about not being able to do that.
But not everything has to go on your college application.
@1Tiger21 Nobody is saying otherwise. This has nothing to with crushing a dream. The OP specifically asked if an arts supplement of him/her singing would be helpful in admission and the answer is that with no formal training, no long-term dedication to the craft that an arts supplement would most likely not be helpful and could be counter-productive. Having raw talent is not enough to present a music supplement that will be a positive addition to an application especially for a college that specifically asks for a supplement that includes intonation, phrasing, and repertoire". One really needs to be well above and beyond what a typical student HS in both talent and training. Not to mention that Evan Hansen is a really tough musical to sing – especially Waving Through a Window – I saw the show and it sure seems like a tough song to get exactly right (fortunately I saw the brilliant Ben Platt)
I will add that if the OP chooses to pursue a music supplement that he/she must contact each school and ask if they accept arts supplements, in what form should it be presented, what length is acceptable etc. Submitting an arts supplement is not as easy as videotaping oneself and sending a link in whatever format is convenient.
I believe that we all agree that if the OP wants to purse college theater that he/she absolutely should do so. As noted above my D had wonderful experiences performing in her college orchestra and theater without sending in any type of arts supplement.
Hi @happy1 Having a raw talent in writing is necessary, for many applicants, in presenting a “real” essay expressing the applicants reason for attending any University. Not all kids are talented in writing. Music ability isn’t any different. Thanks for your comment.
I have no idea why this OP needs to see adults quibble. Kind of silly. I suggest that the OP follow their gut and do what they think might work.
Again, stay positive 
Virtually every student has had training in writing through English classes so any raw talent in that area would have a degree of training/education behind it by senior year in HS.
Nobody is knocking raw talent – it is great. And the OP should pursue it if he/she wants. But let’s keep the eye on the OP’s question of if it would help a college application. And IMO the answer is no.
@ happy1 You win. I give up. I’m going to pop some popcorn and watch a Sunday afternoon movie. Stay positive college applicants !
LOL wow okay sorry for starting a squabble here, yea nobody is crushing my dreams! I am aware of my own skill level/talent, or I would not have considered the option at all. I meant mediocre in that I am NOT one of the actors in Dear Evan Hansen and therefore would not be presenting an actual production clip. Thank you all, I get the general consensus that as my talent does not relate to my extracurriculars and would not showcase my own creation, it is not relevant on an application, and should instead be transferred to college extracurriculars. (;
I do see a “go for it” response. I was not clear enough in my initial post. It’s not a question of confidence; DO COLLEGES APPRECIATE TALENT alone ENOUGH TO SWAY AN ADMISSIONS STATEMENT? Answering my own question, I would say “I doubt it.” YET if it is the theater department’s job to look over supplementals, and my talent is recognized there, somebody might speak for my submission on the part of the theatre department. My question is about how these supplementals are reviewed. Can submitting something along the lines of my own interpretation of an already established piece HURT my portfolio?
I don’t want to look so very self important that I think the fact I can sing a song is worthy of a college.
This is what I can tell you and I expect that this will be my last post here.
— Admissions officers are swamped. Really swamped. They don’t want to see art/music supplements unless they are exceptional.
— Theater departments generally do not have any sway with the admissions department. And IF they did they would more than likely use that sway for a trained singer who has a history of performing in theater productions.
– If you feel your raw talent is so exceptional then I’d recommend that you ask your HS chorus teacher to listen to you and make an independent assessment.
–You should discuss this idea with your guidance counselor to get another opinion.
— Unless you are a recruited athlete or have a hook like that, there is no EC and no talent that will be more important that academics for admissions.
–In the end it is YOUR application and YOUR decision as to if you want to send something or not.