<p>Hi, I am just in the beginning the process of looking at these schools, so if I sound a bit uneducated please excuse me. Location is a very large factor with these schools as I need to be somewhat close to NYC, LA, Chicago, or Boston. The main schools I am considering at this early point are: Columbia, Cornell, Univeristy of Chicago, Northwestern, Stanford, UCLA, UC-Berkeley, Princeton, Harvard, Boston Univeristy and Boston College. </p>
<p>So heres my basic story: I was home schooled until the 10th grade and in 11th and 12th grade I began taking freshman and sophomore level classes at a four year university and maintained a 3.75 GPA(college GPA plus home schooled high school GPA is around 3.85). I scored a 35(.25 away from a perfect score) on the ACT but never took any SAT IIs as I never planned to go to an upper level school. I dropped out of my four year college after two years(12th grade) to pursue music. If the music thing didnt work out after two years, I planned to go back and finish up my degree and graduate at the normal age of 22. Now, during the past year that I took off(I still have a year left), I have been pretty successful within the music business (I produce music). I have worked with many big name pop, rap, and pop-rock artists and currently have a few records that are slotted for release within the next year, including two possible singles(although with the way the industry is, these songs can be swapped out at any time.) I have also produced music for TV shows, nation-wide TV commercials, and plan to do free work for a democratic senator and two democratic representatives in the 2010 campaign. </p>
<p>Now, although my success in music has been great, it has also been extremely stressful and the income is extremely inconsistent. Because of this, I have been looking at the possibility of going back to school at an upper-tier college(if this is possible). I imagine I could do well very well on the SAT IIs as I have actually continued to study in my off time as I pursue music; so I shouldnt have lost much of my edge. I would also be able to produce a recommendation letter from one of the most famous artists/businessmen in all of music and I imagine my essays would be fairly strong if I could write about my success and struggle within the music industry. My main issue would be letter recommendations from teachers, as it has been a year since I was last in class. At the large college I attended, I am not sure if any of the professors would even remember me(I was also fairly quite since I was the youngest in all my classes). Another issue would be my area of study; I am hoping to pursue a degree in business or economics, not music where my strong background exists (although running a production company is very similar to running a small one person business - not only did I have to produce music, I was also the companys traveling salesman, accountant, etc.). </p>
<p>So, basically, my questions to college confidential are:</p>
<ol>
<li>Will my lack of, or weak recommendation letters from professors kill any chances I have of attending a top school. Or, if I explain my sitiatuon to these schools will they be understanding?</li>
<li>Will a fairly strong recommendation letter from an extremely famous artist and businessman help my chances even if I am I not famous. (Its not like I am Emma Watson or Shia LaBeouf or anything)</li>
<li>Will any of the top colleges care about my musical background if it is not classical? I can play the guitar, bass, drums, and piano, but I not extremely gifted on any of them. My main talent is in writing, arranging, and mixing pop/rap/pop-rock songs.</li>
<li>If I were to send in samples of my music would it help or likely hurt me. Some of the music I have produced for TV is classical, but the arrangements are fairly simple (similar to The Apprentice or Hard Knocks background music.) Other than that, my music really spans all genres. I have some that sounds like Coldplay, U2, and One Republic, and other that sound like Common, Jay-Z, and Kanye West(Although the music is a lot more complex then normal rap music, with live bass, guitars, drums, etc.) and really everything else in-between. If I sent in a sample of this music, would the colleges admissions officers simply listen with a horrified look on their face, or would they actually understand that it takes talent to write, record, and play every instrument in these songs?</li>
<li>Will the two years I have taken off hurt my chance of admission at top schools? Or since I have accomplished something during this time will it not hurt me?</li>
</ol>
<p>Also, just incase this information is needed: I am white male, and will be the first in my family to attend college (I am an only child and my parents went to a technical college - I am not sure if this counts at top schools, but at my old school it qualified me as a first to attend). My parents are divorced, one makes around $80,000 and the one I spend most of my time with makes $40,000. Other then music, my ECs are not that great. I worked at my Dad's business about 20 hours a week from the 9th to 12th grade, and also spent a ton of time on music although I did not have any success during this time. Other than donating music to a few causes, I do not have much of a charitable background as it tough to have a set schedule since I have to travel all over the country(most times within a days notice)</p>
<p>Thanks for any help you can give on this issue. I honestly have no idea whether my chance for admission at any top school is likely or if it is simply 0%. So if anyone could tell me where they think I stand it would be great. Thanks.</p>