<p>I was wondering if anyone knows about the "Special Talents" pile that some students with musical/athletic/theatrical talents are placed in at the University of California? I was told that i was going to be put in this pile(at UC Berkeley)...but i dont know how important, or how much this will affect me during the admissions process.</p>
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<p>still nothing? lol</p>
<p>The same musical/athletic/theatrical talents that get you placed to other highly selective universities...?</p>
<p>I was wondering how much this will make an applicant stand out.</p>
<p>This = ???</p>
<p>Oh i'm sry..this= my audition with the UC berkeley music director. I was told that he was gonna write me a letter of rec from the music dept, and that I will be put in a pile for students with "special talents"</p>
<p>What instument do you play? As far as I know, it's totally random whether it will help you or not, because if a particular college needs tuba players players for the class of 2010, then it's a plus if you're a tuba player. If, however, they need saxaphone players - it doesn't really help you.</p>
<p>ya this is the bad thing...i'm a CLARINET player(also play alto sax..and contrabass clarinet). But i think this recommendation is just from the music department saying how good of a musician i am form the director to the admissions committee.</p>
<p>I did a vocal audition with the Princeton music department, and I think it was one of two things that got me in. If it's a glowing recommendation, then it will certainly help you! It makes you stand out from other applicants. Most of the time at top schools almost all of the applicants could succeed at that school, you just need one or two things to make you interesting and tip you into the admit pile. Good luck!</p>
<p>Glinda: What was the other thing besides your vocal audition you feel got you in?</p>
<p>Congratulations Glinda on your acceptance to Princeton!!! I think there around 10 seniors that audition at CAL(the director said about half get in)..the reason why the number is so low is that a lot of ppl dont know about the audition. Well anyway..if i am admitted to CAL then i will be playing 1st clarinet..in marching band...but idk about concert band...or if i will even be in it.</p>
<p>worldshopper: One of my teacher recommendations was really beyond anything I could have hoped for. He went way out of his way to let the the admissions office know that he thought they should take me.</p>
<p>I am sure the rec just added to an already excellent application!</p>
<p>Thank you worldshopper! Good luck with the RD round! I'm sure they'll realize their mistake in deferring you. :)</p>
<p>You know it's kind of funny because my mom and I printed out the Princeton ED roster - the one with our CC screen name, interests and area of study. She and I chose about 10 applicants we felt really stood out (not taking into consideration STATS) from the others and applicants who I would probably want to attend Princeton with given their unique talents. So many applicants with the same interests (i.e. debate/chess/piano/math quiz bowl/Woody Woo) -- not to offend anyone! There were several applicants who had totally different interests and talents and you were one of them. Of the 10 we chose, 7 were accepted. I chose myself of course because my interests and intended major were different as well -but I of course did not get in. Anyway, when you look at that type of roster for applicants, you start to see why the admissions have such a hard time deciding who to accept when so many all look the same (presuming all are in the same range STAT wise). I am not saying you got in just because of your vocal talent - I just think that you added something else in addition to your great STATS to set you apart. Where ever I end up, I do hope the student body has a variety of unique and interesting hobbies and talents. I really gravitate towards those who are creative (but not the stereotypical artsy types), have unique interests and perhaps go down unfamiliar paths. I seem to learn more from those types of people.</p>
<p>Glinda: I am also actively involved in theater and dance (jazz,hip-hop, Salsa), currently teaching myself Hula dance but I can't sing ! So, if I get in Princeton you can teach me to sing and I will teach you to figure skate. Deal?? I figured since you can sing and act, you probably dance as well.</p>
<p>Hula dancing! Wow! I do dance, but I haven't actually taken classes in a few years. My favorite style is tap. And I'll definitely take you up on that figure skating lesson! :D</p>
<p>Your analysis is very interesting, and I'm so honored to have made your cut! I can't imagine being an admissions officer and having to choose from such a great group of applicants. I know that you'll end up at a great institution and you'll make the most of any opportunities that come your way. And interesting people tend to attract other interesting people, so you should have a great group to learn from!</p>
<p>Thanks. I'm actually completing the rest of my applications right now! Yea, a smart person who can sing is cool! I actually go to an IB school (I am in the programme) that is also the magnet school for the Arts (drama, visual, dance, voice) and am so lucky to be around smart, creative people all the time! Congratulations again, you deserve it!</p>
<p>This is one of the most meaningful and important posts I've read here.</p>