<p>I am a senior in high school applying to the Music Industry major at University of Southern Cali. I just found out that I have to submit a "music resume" as part of my application to the Thornton School of Music. Unfortunately, I do not have really any experience with music that would go on a resume. I am interested in the Bachelor of Science, not of Music, so I do not have to audition. I am hoping that because it is a B.S. they will not focus as much on experience. I wish I would have done an internship or something like that, but I did not! (I just recently decided on pursuing this major.) Does anybody have any information on this? What are my chances of getting into the school with no experience to put on a resume (I took guitar lessons for a few years that I guess I could mention, but that is really it)? I am pretty confident that I will get into the university, but I really want this major!!!! I was already limited by the fact that I am not a musician, I just want to be in the industry as a businessperson (many schools require auditions for the major). Any help or advice is welcomed! Thanks!</p>
<p>What do you bring to the table as an applicant? Do you have an extensive recorded music collection? Do you know all of Lady Gaga’s lyrics by heart? Are you an expert on the history and development of house music? Have you been listening to bluegrass for as long as you can remember? USC wants to know what sets you apart. Admission to this program is very competitive. They are trying to weed out people who just think it sounds like a cool thing to do.</p>
<p>I understand what you are saying! And I am beyond passionate about music! I love listening to music and memorizing songs and analyzing them. Having said all that, I do not know what I have to put on an official resume. I would love to somehow convey stuff similar to what you have said to them, but I don’t know how. I am someone who is so passionate about music that I want it to be my career, but I have taken no classes and haven’t done any performances or had any internships or jobs that I could put on this resume that they are requiring.</p>
<p>First - like Captain Kirk I don’t believe in the “no win” scenario so do the best you can with what you have to work with. </p>
<p>Having said that, you have to be realistic. There is “desire” and “qualifications” and you have to realize that Thornton is getting thousands of applications from students for whom music is a passion and have been demonstrating that in their activities all along. </p>
<p>@jeannemar is correct - you have to identify for Thornton what YOU bring to the table. A quote from their page on the BFA and BS requirements:</p>
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<p>Note - you don’t have to audition but you DO have to provide three video clips explaining your position and explaining why you want the program. We can’t tell you what those answers are. Only you can figure out if what you’ve done is noteworthy. And you have to work with what you have since there is no time to add additional activities.</p>
<p>The other option MIGHT be to rank another program (such as Marshall School of Business) as a second choice and then take classes at Thornton if it is allowed and network into the major (or into a career) that way.</p>
<p>Sorry for bumping this but where does USC want us to submit recommendation letters for this program? Just straight to their office? </p>
<p>Also what if an applicant were to be denied from this major? Would they still be accepted into USC with their second choice major or just simply denied from the school altogether? Thanks so much!</p>
<p>I don’t know about the “where”. What I do know is that it is possible to be accepted into USC even if you are not accepted into your major or your second choice. It is also possible to be denied all together. USC gets 43,000 Freshman applications an only takes 20% of them for even fewer spots. That means they are going to turn down 35,000+ applicants. But it also means they will send that “golden” packet to just under 9,000 people - with the goal of enrolling about a third of them.</p>
<p>But you won’t know if they want YOU unless you try, will you? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying.</p>
<p>I certainly plan on applying! I was just curious because I know that the music industry major is extremely competitive and selective so I was wondering if I would be able to attend USC with a different major upon rejection from that major.</p>
<p>You’ll find info on this major and others like it at other schools in the cc “music forum,” if you do a search. You might want to peruse over there as well. Good luck!</p>
<p>Calcool if an audition-based (or any) major, for that matter, does not accept you, you will then be considered by your second choice major. It’s also possible to admitted to USC “undeclared” if not accepted by Thornton.</p>
<p>Ah thank you for that information!</p>
<p>Shredder MOM… you have great insights, and experience… and are so kind to share. My son is doing the USC live audition in a month…and he’d really like to hear what the actual audition, inside the room…with what sort of panel etc, was like… AND I personally wonder just how well a loud rock band can come off in a small room with maybe NOT so willing sound techs and equipment etc. Anyone on this thread as well… if they know someone who has HAD the experience… please connect. My son will happily post and share his experience too afterwards. Thank you all.</p>
<p>For those of you who lacked experience when applying to this program, did you get in? If so, what advice can you give to someone who lacks experience when applying? Or if you didn’t get in, what would you have done differently? I am going to be a senior in high school this year.</p>
<p>jma000123, I had absolutely 0 experience and I got in. I was originally a spring admit, though, but got bumped to regular admission after I committed. You just have to convey to them how much you want to be there and what you will do with the knowledge you will gain from them. Don’t stress about the music aspect, just make sure you have a strong app overall :)</p>
<p>MyChemicalLoofa If you don’t mind me asking, what kind of credentials did you have? SAT, ACT, GPA? I am a junior in high school and have just found this degree; I would love to be admitted!!! </p>