<p>One of the top-tier colleges WILL accept you (HYPSM).</p>
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One of the top-tier colleges WILL accept you (HYPSM).
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<p>That could be true, and yet..I am always uncomfortable to see a list of only Ivies, no matter how high the scores. You want to have choices, and a range of match/reaches. The Ivies see other candidates with triple-800's, although certainly you offer more than just scores, which is quite necessary to have the other interests. You have prepared well! </p>
<p>To expand your list: When I read your current list, I thought you might be a candidate for a double degree (B.A. and B.Music) at Oberlin College and Conservatory, which has consideration for international students with financial need. Generally, this takes 5 years to complete, but gives you both the academic and musical training on a campus where students love music and academics. Oberlin is a conservatory on a worldwide level, and the College is around 20 on the top Liberal Arts Colleges, which means: a fine academic education without graduate students or research on campus. To explore that topic further, just search CC for the numerous threads of advantages of Ivies compared to top Liberal Arts Colleges (LAC's)-- a lively debate always, and not for your thread. Research it if you're curious. </p>
<p>Does your violin teacher think you could audition and gain entry to a top conservatory here (such as Eastman or Julliard?) If so, by going to a double-program such as Oberlin, or Eastman/URochester, you could pursue both the liberal arts and a high degree of professional musicianship. Depends on your goals. You might also major in Music at the Oberlin College (a 4-year B.A. with Music as your major) if you only want music as your pleasure, not career, although some say if that's the case you're better off at a college without a conservatory so you can actually qualify for the orchestra without competing with those Conservatory violinists! The straight B.A. with Music Major would be more for liberal arts students who want music in their life, but not as a working career. Oberlin Conservatory is top-shelf, like Eastman or Julliard, and trains performers, orchestra members, and great music teachers, composers, arrangers. Oberlin's "double degree" is for musicians at a high pre-professional level who also have amazing minds for academics. So you get both the B.A. and B.Mus. degree, so most take 5 years to complete both.</p>
<p>At Oberlin, the combination of a Conservatory and College on the same campus can be wonderful for a "brainy musician" ;) and you'd find many others who blend those two great loves. Oberlin College students are no strangers to 800 scores, either...it's a very smart place. Similarly, look at Eastman/U. of Rochester. I don't know if Julliard combines with another academic institution, but the website will tell you.</p>
<p>Good luck! Surely you have a shot at the Ivies, but I hope you'll put some alternatives on your list as well. Top Liberal Arts Colleges with good Music majors might make your list (a few examples: Williams, Amherst, Oberlin, Wesleyan..). Also, depending on whether your goal is for music as a career, investigate those top conservatories (Eastman, Oberlin..) that connect with the academic B.A. also, if you are serious for a music career with intelligent people around you.</p>
<p>Thanks for your extremely detailed advice. You've definitely expanded my horizons with respect to the kinds of colleges i should go for.</p>