what are my prospects like?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>hi, i'm a generic white male from washington, i go to one of the top-ranked prep schools in the country. can anyone tell me what schools would be in my range/good for me?</p>

<p>tests, etc.:
SAT I: 780 M, 800 CR, 800 W
SAT II's: 800 physics, 800 math 2, 800 latin, 720 us hist
AP's: (all 5's) BC, stat, both physics c's, both latins, us hist, euro hist, both englishes </p>

<p>GPA: 4.1, no weighting at school, taken hardest courseload i could contrive, no ranking, but i'm pretty sure i'm about number 3 in the class of about 200.</p>

<p>i'm a top editor of the school newspaper, but i've heard that colleges get vomit-inducing amounts of newspaper editors, and in any case my main thing that i do outside of class is play the viola, which i know is the instrument for violinists who can't hack it, but i actually started on it, so i have an excuse. I've gone to intensive string camps and orchestra seminars each summer, participated in a professional recording for a major record label with one of the orchestras, won quite a few competitions, was a finalist in the competition of one of the top orchestras in the country, and have been featured on a national radio show. i also joined a school group that plays music at retirement homes in the area, and yes, i joined it cynically to try to finish my community service requirement, but ended up staying and becoming the director of it.</p>

<p>so i didn't write the real names of any of these things because i have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of people from my school are covert users of this site and would recognize me...maybe they did anyway. </p>

<p>actually i was kind of hoping to try for the harvard/nec joint program, anyone know anything about that?</p>

2

<p>your test scores are incredible, almost super-human. i can appreciate how much you must work on the school newspaper, and colleges will too, even if there are many other editors (like me). it sounds like you're really accomplished with the viola. and you've done community service. you've got it all. a little birdie told me that the harvard/nec joint program is very competitive to get in to, but you don't seem to have a weak point. great job! (and nice username)</p>

3

<p>Hey! I'm a violist too! (Started on the violin and couldn't "hack it" lol)</p>

<p>Your stats are insanely good but do you have other ec's besides viola and being editor? Perhaps those ECs will help in the wellrounded-ness aspect of it all.</p>

4

<p>I know you're human because you only got a 2380 on your SAT. ;)</p>

<p>Congratulations on your superlative academic and artistic accomplishments. The Harvard/NEC Joint Program begins with a mind-numbing, arduous application process to both institutions, including interviews and auditions (assuming you would apply with a performance focus). There are multiple layers of deadlines and notifications. There's waiting. Then it gets worse if you are accepted. Year after year, the obligations and time committments will mount. You will hear about "time management" more times than you'd like. You will face pressures for your "regular" classes at Harvard while facing up to obligations for ensemble scenarios that will make demands upon your time and energy. By now you understand the time needed to develop pieces to full maturity -- there are no shortcuts, and you require the cooperation of your ensemble partners to work through a myriad of dynamics in perfecting a piece. It will be a nightmare... or it will be the most challenging, creative and fulfilling time of your life.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you. I hope you succeed!</p>

5

<p>do you think anyone would stand a chance trying to do a science-oriented major at harvard while doing the joint program? or do they tend to make you do humanities?</p>

6

<p>generic? ten char</p>

7

<p>
[quote]
do you think anyone would stand a chance trying to do a science-oriented major at harvard while doing the joint program? or do they tend to make you do humanities?

[/quote]

Neither Harvard nor NEC would care what discipline(s) you choose to study at Harvard. That's really up to you and your sanity. </p>

<p>At some point, I imagine that you will delve deeply into knowing yourself really well, and then perhaps you'll know why this type of program appeals to you and why it's important to you. If for instance you choose a science-oriented major at Harvard, the nature of science is that it begins with strong curiosity, and one is driven to resolve that curiosity through hypothesis and application of prescribed methods. With musical performance, I think it begins with a "pull" (vs. the "push" and logical drive of science) to a part of yourself that is soulful. Both human phenomena are important to you, apparently, and they represent interdependent life forces to your existence. One force supports the other.</p>

<p>Now, of course I'm postulating, but it does seem to me that one part of your make-up is a pursuit; whereas another part is an evolution. I've seen this need for balance manifested in other people as well.</p>

8

<p>i heard basically no one gets in...and you can even get into both and still get rejected from the program?</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
i heard basically no one gets in...and you can even get into both and still get rejected from the program?

[/quote]

You heard right, but it's not for everybody, and that accounts for the low number of acceptances into the program. It requires demonstrated excellence in multiple academic and musical facets. You need to independently apply to Harvard AND to NEC, be accepted at both schools, indicate and follow through on your interest in the joint program, audition for NEC and do a lot of waiting for months. </p>

<p>You also need to very carefully map out a detailed college admissions application plan to hedge your bet. Notwithstanding your outstanding academic measures of achievement, there's no guarantee with Harvard. Similarly there's no guarantee of admission to NEC. With either a performance focus or a composition/nonperformance emphasis, you will have to prepare for and deliver a sterling audition to be accepted at NEC. After indicating interest in the joint program, you will then be evaluated and reviewed for acceptance. You may not get an answer until May 1st. The process itself is arduous enough that it will scare off many from even applying. Another factor is that I just can't imagine too many 17-year olds having the maturity, discipline and focus to succeed. I think it would be a daunting journey to undertake, and the moment that it becomes a lot of "work" instead of "fun", you will want to reconsider your path.</p>

<p>As you may know, you have options that are similar, but perhaps lesser in prestige and academic intensity, to the Harvard/NEC joint program). Here are a few options that you may want to consider:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Barnard/Columbia/Julliard Program: Somewhat similar to Harvard/NEC but options to take lessons at Julliard and/or do a BM/MM 5-year program; offers some flexibility to do a science major, plus get lessons at Julliard.</p></li>
<li><p>Penn/Curtis Institute: Less formal "joint program" but cooperative relationships with collaborative opportunities;</p></li>
<li><p>Yale: 5-year BA/MM program: In your junior year, you can apply into the 5-year program; option to be a music major, non-major, or double-major. Advantages to get access to one of the best music schools in the country, but not a conservatory environment.</p></li>
<li><p>Rice University/Shepherd School of Music: Requires admission into both Rice and Shepherd; also audition, of course; can possibly give you the continuity in performance focus, plus the education that Rice can offer; Rice may be in a position of offering a substantial scholarship.</p></li>
<li><p>Johns Hopkins/Peabody Conservatory: Similar to Harvard/NEC program; may not be best for strings/performance; Peabody is a part of JHU.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>My own daughter will be attending Emory University and planning double major in sciences and music. Though she has distinguished herself, I know that she doesn't have a strong enough passion for music to make it a single major, but she's not ready to let it go just yet. The advantage to being a double major for her is that she will receive free lessons (piano is her instrument). Emory also has a graduate program in music, but its focus may not be the best for you b/c of its choral orientation. It may be worthwhile for you to look into their Emory Scholars Program.</p>

10

<p>dc, Norcal ad has given you some good ideas. If you do decide to take the double major route instead of the conservatory, you should take a look at Williams as they have an excellent music department with ample performance opportunities plus excellent physics and other sciences. Double majors are fairly common. I've heard the same about Swarthmore, though I have more personal experience with Williams.</p>

<p>Good luck and let us know how it goes.</p>