what are my chances if i'm applying for junior year?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

<p>Hi I'm trying to apply to boarding schools for fall '09, which is my junior year. </p>

<p>the reason why i want to apply to boarding schools is because i absolutely detest my current school. people only care about sports here and i'm an absolute orch dork. my friends are there only to sit with at lunch and none of the people here are entertaining as the people in orchestra. school is so boring that i feel like i don't belong there. </p>

<p>my qualities:
-mostly A's some B's
-no sports
-community service by working at my friend's mom's opera company and doing community service groups at school
-I play in an orchestra at the New England Conservatory Prep school with viola (highest orchestra, principle in year 2005, assistant principle in year 2006, and assistant principle in year 2007. i moved up one orchestra every year.) we're going on tour this year to Africa for three weeks.
-flute competition finalist winter 2007
-orchestra excellence award from middle school and high school
-attended senior district and all state orchestras during freshmen year
-got into boston youth symphony orchestra's top orchestra but didn't do it because I wanted to go to NEC more.
-theory classes at NEC prep
-Debussy trio for harp, viola, and flute (created just for us three.)
-was in massachusetts youth wind ensemble last year with flute
-spend summer in music camps for about 6 weeks or so</p>

<p>only obstacles are:
-i'm asian
-not that smart for an asian
-got a C in enriched geometry last year because of All State orchestra (i missed 3 days of the week because we stay at a hotel for 2 nights doing music). i got behind in most of my work and i was able to make it up for everything but this class.
-no sports
-need financial aid but my parents' incomes are too high</p>

<p>schools that i want to apply to:
-walnut hill school of music (good music program but they have really bad academics)
-philips academy (i live in andover and a lot of my friends go here. My top choice but it might be hard for me with the C in my report card.)
-river's school conservatory
-concord academy</p>

<p>so... what do you guys think?</p>

2

<p>If you are willing to go further from home, what about:</p>

<p>Interlochen</a> :: Arts Academy Boarding High School :: Music, Theatre, Dance, Film, Visual Arts & Creative Writing</p>

<p>Have you taken the SSAT or PSAT?</p>

<p>How do you think you compare to some students at your current school who do music and have gotten into Phiillps Academy Andover? Based on your musical activities you obviously are talented in that area. (But, I think that you mean princip*al, and assistant principa*l).</p>

<p>Also, you might want to consider repeating 10th grade, as that might make admission to some schools easier.</p>

<p>Good luck with your search!</p>

<p>As for financial aid, your parents should fill out one of the on-line calculators to see what you might be eligible to receive....these links have been posted elsewhere on this board.</p>

3

<p>i live in andover too. and i go to andover high school except i am a junior. if you want to go to a private school you can't board at Philips. perhaps you could try milton academy, or brooks. andover is not all about sports, i play sports and it's not at all like everyone all care about sports. i mean you just have to fit in or try to. plus andover is like top 10 public school in massachusets so you know, it might not be as good as philips but trust me philips is a lot harder. their top 30% kid had a gpa of 4.5 which is almost impossible at any school, but he only still only top 30%. private message me if you want to know more.</p>

4

<p>I understand your wanting more opportunities but it seems as though you have quite a few as it is. My kids' public school not only doesn't even have a strings program, they don't even care that they don't! If music is everything to you - then shoot for Interlochen. </p>

<p>I was in a similar situation in high school in that all I wanted to do was play my instrument. Academics were a breeze so I just showed up for tests and to hand in papers and spent the rest of my time trying to become a better musician...because trust me, if you end up at a good music school, you'll need to be the best you can be to compete. </p>

<p>Keep this in mind.....the more rigorous the academic load, the less time to devote to your music. If you can coast in your current school, it will be two more years for you to practise your behind off and be in a very good position as an undergraduate. If you're shooting for one of the top music schools, then this is what you will need more than anything. Admission is all about the audition. </p>

<p>So, I guess the thing to really think about is what your musical goals are for the college and what path will give you the most advantage. </p>

<p>Most important - ask you viola teacher's opinion. Ask a musician who you admire.</p>

<p>PM me for a fellow musician with the benefit of hindsight.</p>

5

<p>thanks everyone for your opinions!!!!!</p>

<p>Yes, that's what I thought before I decided to apply to boarding schools. I didn't want to do any academics because it would be a waste of time but now I'm thinking that I should balance it more just in case. If I do want to pursue a music career, then I would go to walnut hill school of music but if I decided not to after I get into a music school, then I can't go back. I'm really considering Philips as the best one out of the list because I know a lot of musicians there that are well balanced overall, both in music and academics.</p>

6

<p>Full disclaimer up front. I grew up a violist, playing in my first paying gig at age 14 and first university symphony at age 15, but burned out by age 18 and dropped out for a while. I have played on and off over the years since (not so much recently) mostly quartets and the like for my own pleasure.</p>

<p>It seems that you recognize that at some point, you will have to make a choice - music vs. academics. Just where do you make the bargain (bringing your musical talent to benefit a school) to get something you might not otherwise get (admissions to a name brand school). It is a choice made of necessity for most musicians, as few will ever make a stable career out of it. That being said, my brother does this, spending many years in a professional symphony that went bankrupt and now by teaching at a couple of universities and conducting.</p>

<p>The questions where the answers are not quite clear to me are: Given your parents' incomes, how committed are they to your non-music success (as measured by putting their money in)? And the second question is: How committed are you to making the switch of using the viola as a secondary calling card? Once you make the committment to allocate more of your time to academics and less to music, the less your musical talent will develop, resulting in less value as a EC (now that it is not the primary focus).</p>

<p>It does make a difference in when you switch your focus. You could end up at the end of high school a conservatory-quality violist who uses that as leverage into a better academic school that needs violists for its symphony. This would be more like the athlete trying to leverage his/her skills into admission to a highly competitive school. </p>

<p>On the other hand, you could end up a better qualified academic candidate with viola skills to make good university orchestra (which is helpful in admissions, but not necessarily an automatic admit).</p>

<p>The question is, what do you see yourself doing with your life? And how do you go about it balancing out the "what ifs" with the "plan b"? How much are your parents behind you in this (or have you even discussed this)?</p>

7

<p>goaliedad that's exactly what i've been stuck with for a couple of years.
Right at this moment, I feel like I want to pursue something more exciting than an average job which is really hard to get to. But the thing is, what if I'm not good enough? It's really hard because I'm above average in everything and I don't really have any particular strengths that stands out. There are so many people out there that are tons better than I am so I'm not sure if I should do what I want to do or do what is safe and insured. My parents aren't really helping me choose. because they're don't care what I do in my life as long as I'm happy.</p>

8

<p>esv73,</p>

<p>You sound very much like goaliegirl. She doesn't know what she wants to do in life, or at least isn't willing to commit to anything yet. She is a balanced student (A's and B's) like you and isn't even consistent in which areas she gets A's and B's in. Her one constant is hockey, like yours is music. She hates the south (where we currently live - she is in prep school in NE) very much like you hate the school where you are at, as she feels no affinity to the culture here.</p>

<p>She talks of players she knows who are going to certain "hockey schools" in a voice that tells me that she recognizes they are limiting their choices down the road - something she doesn't want.</p>

<p>And while she'll be the first one to tell you she isn't that smart (she refers to herself as the jock all the other jocks come to for help with homework), she wants to get the best education she can and knows that hockey is her ticket to that.</p>

<p>And while the school she attends is not known for its top hockey program, she knows her destiny as a goalie is primarily in her own hands - how she plays in front of coaches and at camps and tournaments. And while she won't play as much hockey as those at the "hockey schools" perhaps limiting her upside potential, she is comfortable knowing that she is good enough to parlay her skills into an advantage in college admissions. She is a junior this year - the prime recruiting year for hockey players.</p>

<p>You may be at the point of making a similar decision - to forego the "arts school" for a more conventional track, not necessarily knowing what exactly you will do there, but knowing that your musical skills can help you in college admissions. BTW, you are lucky to have chosen the viola (as opposed to the violin). It is a much less competitive instrument and more in demand by colleges looking to fill their orchestra.</p>

<p>It does not sound like you are committed to pursue the life of a pure musician. It is not a I think I can thing, but a "this is what I am" that takes people down this path. Perhaps I haven't heard enough from you, though because you do talk like your social life (in addition to your EC life) revolves around your music. But that by itself does not a career musician make.</p>

<p>Just to let you know, that it is OK either to be a Music only forsaking all other pursuits or to be something else and an excellent musician on the side.</p>

<p>Goaliegirl has had a great time at prep school and has enjoyed broadening herself, not only athletically (she now plays field hockey and lax off-season), but this year she decided to try film. It isn't necessarily what she expected it to be - far more analytical, but is starting to develop an appreciation for an art form.</p>

<p>It doesn't stop her from being a hockey person, though. This year, she even talks about when she coaches someday (perhaps seeing the end of her playing career in about 6 years). She actually has an excellent hockey mind - when we watch games, she picks apart what they are doing on the ice and seems to have a good eye for talent. Perhaps she will try her hand at that while in grad school (a common thing), extending her involvement in the sport while she finishes preparing for "plan b". Coaching is much like being a musician. Very competitive, with a few stars doing quite well and the rest just barely paying the bills.</p>

<p>I will give your parents a lot of credit - not too many actually step back and say "do what YOU want" to their kids. They must trust your better judgement, which is a credit to you. And if your judgement says "I'm not sure what I want to do yet", that is OK. Just know that if your heart isn't in the musician thing "It is who I am", then you should definitely find the best (most flexible) "plan b" you can until what you want comes to you.</p>

<p>Choose your educational options to ensure that you can get there, no matter where there is, if this is the case.</p>

<p>I hope this helps.</p>

9

<p>same situation....my parents won't pay for boarding school and their incomes are too high for it financial aid</p>

10

<p>Yes I've considered a lot of careers that involve music after college. I have a strong desire to do chamber music and orchestras in the future but according to my teacher, I won't be able to afford to pay my bills with just those incomes. I don't think I would make a good teacher either. I hope I'll find something I want to do for my career soon. It just might be too early for me to choose specifically what I want to do yet. I'm actually going to the Walnut Hill School for an interview so that might change my mind so we'll see.</p>

11

<p>How was your interview at Walnut Hill...My daughter auditioned for the vocal programs at both Walnut Hill and Interlochen last year...We were impressed with both programs..She is currently attending Walnut Hill school as a senior music major (voice concentration) and
absolutely loves the program...I would be happy to answer any questions you might have</p>

12

<p>actually, I went and received a tour but I didn't really go through the interview process. The head of the music department wasn't there so the person from the ballet department interviewed me. She didn't really know the music program so it was hard for both of us to have an actual interview. I have a couple of friends that go there and they absolutely love it. I also talked to my viola teacher and she said that she was 95% sure that I was going to get in because she works there and I'm also in ypo at New England Conservatory Prep school. The only problem is the financial part because of the crash of wall st. my parents are willing to pay for college but they're not so sure about paying for high school. Did you apply for financial aid/merit scholarship? are they generous about it? I know that my friend applied in April and she isn't that academically strong nor is she exceptionally good at the violin and she got a scholarship there (even though it didn't really cover what they needed)</p>

13

<p>hi I just wanted to thank everyone for their great advices!!! The head of the admissions called me the other day to tell me that I got accepted for this year's second semester and got some scholarship. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for me to go so I will apply again this spring to get more scholarship for this upcoming fall. Thanks everyone!</p>