<p>Okay, I hate to ask this, but let's say you play in a rock band with someone extremely famous. How can you incorporate that into your application without seeming like a complete "show off"? Should it be mentioned in the essay or just send in a video/recording? Also, does it help in any way? I realize that it's the individual applicant who's applying (not the celebrity), but I'm curious as to how it influences admissions. Thanks!</p>
<p>I suppose it depends on how famous. You have to remember that admissions committees might not listen to kind of music you guys play. If you're John Bonnam Jr., it might be worthwhile to mention.</p>
<p>As far as it being worth more than other ECs, I doubt it. But if it's something you spend a lot of time doing, you should definitely mention it, especially if you happen to be in a band that's getting airplay.</p>
<p>Why would they care about that any more than they care about anyone else who plays any other instrument?</p>
<p>I would imagine that someone who swam in the Olympics as a 17-year-old would get more attention than someone who swam at the state meet in high school. Everything is relative.</p>
<p>Being an Olympian shows a certain level of dedication that I'm not sure playing in a band with a guy that is famous does. Now if you've gone touring and all that good stuff maybe, but when a highschooler says "band" I can't help but think back to messing around in some guys garage and calling it a band.</p>
<p>That's why I said it depended on if it was a band that was getting airplay on the radio. Usually they don't let every high school band do that.</p>
<p>I'd say it helps. If you are playing with famous musicians in high school, you are definitely something. I wrote about how my band was supposed to play with 311 and how The Skatalites helped write some of our songs (our guitar player's dad was the keyboardist). In my opinion, it helped me get into Bard, and then eventually be accepted at Wesleyan.</p>
<p>There you go, two bands that people that listen to music have heard of.</p>
<p>I have an additional question. Does being a female drummer add anything to the package?</p>
<p>Half of it does, depending on where you're applying and to what major.</p>
<p>I think that all sounds good, but I do wonder whether the avg adcom will know who/what The Skatalites are. Might need some educating ...</p>
<p>Definitely write about it. The band is your passion. Of course it is relevant, regardless of your major. It is a creative endeavor. My S wrote 2 of his short essay's about his rock band. There was noone famous in it. They recorded at a member's house and mixed on a home PC. S was accepted by a top university and the admissions officer wrote on his acceptance letter a note about looking forward to hearing the band's CD when S went to admitted student weekend. S is also a great student with excellent grades and test scores. And it is very unique to be a female drummer. The famous person is the least of the benefits of writing about your band.</p>
<p>Adcoms do tend to be a little older... note the Zep reference. Or if you say that you toured with Bob Dylan or the Boss, I bet you get in for sure.</p>
<p>^ not true. most of the admissions people i've seen have been <30</p>
<p>"Tend".... not "Always are"... If they're newer hires, they're not usually the ones making the admissions decisions- they're doing more of the face work with prospectives, and they have input on the decision, but they don't usually have the final say. I worked for the admissions office at my college for 4 years. </p>
<p>Granted, it depends on the school. Mine had a habit of hiring graduating seniors full-time to work in the admissions office for entry-level jobs for a couple years. But the dirty business of accepting or rejecting people fell to some older staff.</p>
<p>I have 117% in AP Calc BC because my class is full of "idiots."</p>
<p>jw, who's the famous person?</p>
<p>I have 117% in AP Calc BC because my class is full of "idiots."</p>
<p>?</p>
<p>So, I'm pretty sure it's been established that I should mention it in one form or another on the application, but my question is really about how I would go about doing so in the best manner possible (an audio recording, a video, the essay, etc.) Any advice? From the sounds of it, I should probably be emphasizing my dedication to drumming, rather than the connections.</p>
<p>I take it you are not applying to be a music major? I'd stick with the essay. </p>
<p>Tell as much about YOU as you can. Show how being in this "band-with-a-famous-person" is different than being in a different band. Do you tour nationally? spend many hours in professional recording studios? run and hide from groupies and paparazzi? how does this all affect YOU or what has it taught YOU or how have YOU made your mark in or with this band?</p>
<p>This could be a great hook, especially if you are a great drummer and will continue to be a drummer in college. It's definitely an unusual EC.</p>