<p>When applying to a conservatory/music school within a university, how much does it matter if your test scores are below the published range? I am thinking of places like USC/Thornton and Rice/Shepherd. My D is currently in 11th grade. Her PSAT score is 233, her SAT score is 2260 (800 / 670 / 790), and so far her two AP scores are AP Calculus BC 5 and AP Music Theory 5. She has been homeschooled all the way through, and would like to major in instrumental performance. Does anyone have any thoughts/advice for us? If she needs to take any other tests, we should probably start thinking about that now.</p>
<p>Hi NewOutsider,</p>
<p>Are you asking if her scores are good enough? Her scores are fine. Her math is low but she’s a music major and her audition will matter more than anything. USC does have a requirement of three SAT II tests. However, if your daughter is a part of a charter school or some other organized home “school”, she won’t need to take three. I know a homeschooler who was admitted to USC with no SAT tests but this student was in a charter school, so that functions differently than privately homeschooled students.</p>
<p>Hi sbjdorlo,</p>
<p>I’m a little confused; how was the student a homeschooler if they were in a charter school? Anyway, perhaps I will call admissions at USC to clarify if my daughter will need to take SAT II tests.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>My son was homeschooled all the way through and graduated from Rice with a BM Viola Performance. The audition is the most important part of being accepted but she will have to meet all of the Rice admission requirements which include SAT plus 2 SAT subject tests of her choice OR ACT test. Her scores are great for a music major she just has to add the subject tests or ACT.</p>
<p>Many charter schools in California are essentially homeschools in that the parent does the teaching but meets with a facilitator once a month to give work samples. Also, the charter dictates much of the curriculum-some charters are more flexible, some less flexible. Many homeschool parents here in CA use them because they get money for supplies. Charters are public school entities.</p>
<p>So-you can figure out yourself what category your daughter falls under but do check out USC’s rules for homeschoolers.</p>