<p>Hi guys!
I'm a homeschool junior who wants to study music education; I'm applying to SMU, TCU, Baylor, and a couple of others and hoping for a big scholarship, like TCU's full ride Chancellor's scholarship. Academically, I have no problems, but trying to stand out in a large group of applicants is tough. What do you think of my extracurriculars? Are they enough?
- pianist that practice 2 hours a day
- student under RMTA local piano chapter where I compete and test for theory, history, etc. Outstanding record, medals, potential scholarships.
-accompany every week for local elementary school choir
-shadow a music ed teacher once a week in classroom
-volunteer in music program at nursing home
-will be member of DSO student council, advocating the Dallas Orchestra to teens in the metroplex
-coach a selective Men's Ensemble once a week
-director of music ministry for new church (loootts of time, 5+ hrs. a week, planning, rehearsing, etc.)
-youth group, church leadership, etc. too much to list, volunteer and service projects
-probably National Merit Commended</p>
<p>Is the admissions officer going to look at me and think I'm too one-sided, "that music girl," or will they think I'm a person who pursues in-depth experiences?</p>
<p>While I do not have an answer for you, I do have some questions. I am a homeschool sophomore, and I am worried about my EC’s. I take voice lessons and I am interested in music and film. How did you get so deeply involved in the music world?</p>
<p>tofugirl101, it’s a long story. Basically, I started piano late in the game around 11ish with no lessons, basically self taught. The music director took note of my musicality a year later and slowly gave me opportunities, like a piano solo during worship, then adding keyboard, then handbells, then choir, then ensembles until I was very deeply involved in the music ministry of my church. The music director’s mother, a private piano teacher, began giving me lessons free of charge and since she’s a member of RMTA, I’ve been competing in that organization. I was involved in with a youth group music program in the nursing home around this time. The music teacher who directs the choir I accompany for went to our church; since she needed an accompanist that didn’t charge and I needed volunteer hours, it was a match. This semester, I asked if I could volunteer in her classroom, and it has a been a blast! It was basically assumed that I would help lead the music ministry in our new church, along with ensembles and choir, and all that jazz. </p>
<pre><code>Anyway, long answer to your question, but I basically have been practically handed opportunities that have blessed me and enriched me; now I have to turn accompanying jobs down. My advice for you would be to actively pursue a passion you enjoy and be proactive in volunteering. If you know someone in a field you would like to work in, ask them if you can help them once a week organizing papers, or grading things, or whatever. Do NOT do something your not excited about just to pad a resume, but just target the fields you are interested in. Often times, one thing will lead to another. For me, it was more of a decision to volunteer in the things I was passionate about, so I didn’t pursue volunteering at an animal shelter or becoming part of organizations. Have you read the book “IN! College Admissions and Beyond?” Fabulous book about building a resume with your passion that really helped me. Since your a sophomore, you have plenty of time left. Good luck to you!
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<p>I can’t tell you if they’re “enough”, but they’re certainly good. You can say you want to major in Music Ed, and you know you like the field because you’ve done all these things. Don’t make it just a list, though - you will have another section for listing
"- student under RMTA local piano chapter where I compete and test for theory, history, etc. Outstanding record, medals, potential scholarships.
and
-accompany every week for local elementary school choir " and those aren’t so much pointing to your experience in education.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Yes, these are very good ECs. I don’t know much about what those schools are looking for, but it seems like you’ll “stand out” enough to make an impression if your grades and test scores are good. Colleges don’t mind if you’re “one-sided”, in fact, they prefer students who focus on their passions to those who dabble in everything.</p>