<p>I'm a great rock guitar player. I'm applying to MIT, Princeton, and Harvard, and was wondering if the uniqueness of sending in a sample of my playing (or something with my band) might be to my advantage.</p>
<p>That's a tough decision to make. It's hard to tell how they'll respond to it; really, it depends on the individual him or herself who will actually be reading your application. Personally, I've recorded both rock music (acoustic and electric) and orchestral music. I didn't even mention any of my rock music.</p>
<p>However, if you think your music demonstrates a level of artistry that has universal appeal, you may as well give it a shot. Note that instrumental rock music is more likely to be well-received than music with vocals.</p>
<p>if you're gonna do it, do something of just you, maybe a guitar solo. If you send a recording with your band it might be harder for the admissions officers to distinguish between your playing and that of someone else. I think a nice guitar solo would do the trick, something not too harsh on the ears and makes you appreciate the beauty that is the electric guitar.</p>
<p>Well, most electric guitar solos aren't just <em>solely</em> guitar...</p>
<p>I'm guessing you mean playing with the band pushed to the background, rather than getting rid of the band altogether...</p>
<p>i don't see what's wrong with submitting a full band recording as long as i let them know what's me...?</p>
<p>I've posted a few times on music supplements, and a current thread is here <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/610653-supplement-cd-problem.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/610653-supplement-cd-problem.html</a>. Take a couple of minutes to read the thread and the links to other threads. It's good for general background.</p>
<p>Son's experiences are classical, but I've been around the process long enough to offer a couple of suggestions:</p>
<p>Check the specific supplement guidelines for each school. If you can't find them on the webpages, call a music adcom and ask. Follow their guidelines. If they specifically say "Don't send", then heed that advice. </p>
<p>Look at the audition requirements for Berklee SOM for guitar performance and use these as a guide for what the premier contemporary program requires for music majors. Also, Belmont in Nashville as a comparison, maybe College of Sante Fe, or the New School's Contemporary Music major.</p>
<p>I realize you're not applying as a music major, but this will give you suggestions as to what the top level programs for this genre require for audition based performance majors.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>hahaha...chill man. It's who you are. For my supplementary I sent metal interviews I did in the past years, so don't worry, send whatever represents you.</p>