<p>So I was wondering if there could be a disadvantage to submitting supplementary materials (for students who are not applying for special programs)....because I have read that schools do not encourage applications to send such stuff if they are "exceptional"....</p>
<p>I have been playing piano for 8 years...i'm def. not exceptional...i would say decent but is it still worth it to record my pieces and send my CD?? </p>
<p>Hmmm..any advice on this?? Thanks:)</p>
<p>It depends on the college. For example, some colleges like William and Mary encourage applicants to send an extra "non-essay" that shows another side of you. But in general, the less work you give the admissions people, the better they like you.</p>
<p>Don't send it if even you consider yourself "average". The kids who consider themselves as "exceptional" aren't really exceptional and the supp materials work against them. Are you applying to William and mary caltech?</p>
<p>If you're not exceptional don't send it at a top school. Anywhere else, feel free to send everything and anything.</p>
<p>o thanks for the responses disasterous, caltech27, and algiqinf:) i think it's better if i don't send them more stuff...</p>
<p>disasterous: no i'm not applying to William and Mary</p>
<p>It's not necessarily bad if you send them more stuff... The issue is of whether or not the admissions officer feels like you're wasting their time.</p>
<p>You shouldn't submit it if you aren't exceptional at it.</p>
<p>envy0604, you are receiving conflicting advice. It is not wrong, nor is it entirely correct. Please look at these two recent threads addressing the question:</p>
<p>Apply the criteria as suggested. Be realistic about the level of talent at the schools to which you are are sending supplements, and more importantly, be realistic about YOUR level of talent and accomplishment.</p>
<p>In general, it will not hurt you. It MAY help you. It will hurt you if you ignore procedures, deadlines, submission media, or send to a school that specifically requests "DO NOT SEND SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS". </p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>it hurts when you say that you are exceptional and you arent, they dont trust you and they look at your application and say, damm this kid probably thinks too high of himself, that is why they put that restriction there on the first place.
BTW exceptional in Music means like being pro, like people who actually do alot of competitions and people like their music, but even that doesnt mean anything because when I go to concerts of international players, I think that they are boneheads when they a Scriabin and totally slaughter a passage with incorrect phrasing marks, I mean people look for that.
If you have no idea what I am talking about, its proabably not even in your best interest to send it in</p>
<p>@ disasterous: yes, i'm applying to william and mary. you?</p>
<p>thanks for the info everyone</p>
<p>violadad, thx for attaching the links!</p>