Vocal Supplements--Should I send a vocal supplement or not?

Applying to College
1

Hello! I just had one quick question that I would love to have advice on–

I am a highschool senior who is in the process of applying to college, and yes, it has been stressful.

I was just wondering if it would be a good idea to send in a vocal supplement. I always loved singing and many have told me that I am a good singer. I have perfect pitch so I know when I am out of pitch and am able to fix my vocal mistakes. But because of family issues and other outside of school responsibilities I was not able to join the choir club which takes place after school. So, naturally, I was not able to hone my “skills” as a vocalist and under the instruction of a teacher.

I am already planning on sending in a piano supplement because I’ve played the piano for around 13 years and would say that I am on the ‘good side’, so to speak. But somewhere inside of me I feel that my application may not entirely reflect who I am unless I express the love I have for singing.

I was wondering if I should still send a singing supplement to colleges. I would very interested of joining an acapella group of some sort when I enter college, so I was thinking that the supplement may appeal to colleges a bit more. But if my singing is not as good in terms of college standards, would sending in a supplement hurt my chances of college admission?

2

Send supplements only if you are really, really good. By really, really good I mean you have been recognized on the state or national level of your musical abilities. You have won awards for your singing, you have made the All-State Choir or better, stuff like that. If you’re not on that kind of level, then submitting a supplement will in fact hurt your application.

Some people are naturally just really good and haven’t won any awards, so that may be you. If you still have any questions, you should ask the music director at your school. He or she can accurately assess your ability and see if it is on par with the level expected by the schools you are applying to.