During the tour and info session at the Butler School of Music at UT Austin, which for most academic majors requires students to be ranked in the top 7% - 8% of their class, someone asked about required gpa/test scores for performance majors. The counselor said that for music majors, as long as a student is in the top 25% of their class there usually isn’t even a question about it. If they’re below that then, assuming the student passes the audition, the directors/counselors in the music school would go to bat for them with admissions if need be and as long as they met the minimum GPA for the university, the school would usually work with them. She said that really, admissions just wants to know that the student is going to be able to handle the rigor of their non-music classes.
Thinking of OPs question about academic qualifications. When my son was doing the applications for undergrad, he was told by the faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill that he met the “basic” requirements for admission ( GPA, though below their average was not outside of what was accepted; appropriate courses were non-negotiable-4 years of math, foreign language, at least 3 APs, three sciences, etc. He was told that going on his academic record alone, he might not be admitted-he had C’s in AP french, calc and chem. The music department had a certain number of slots that were allocated for students they were interested in but might not be admitted on GPA/SAT alone. He was admitted under one of the “special provisions” slots as a music major. He had completed a fairly good audition with them when the decision was made. Although UNC is not known as a music school and their process might be a bit different from a comprehensive university with a school or college of music, its general admissions can be challenging (27% of total applicants accepted last year, I think 30% the year S was accepted).
I agree with posters above stressing the importance of a good audition in being accepted.
@Laurenflutist, one thing that will make a difference at Michigan is the rank of your actual school – you said its a top program nationally. So by way of example, someone with as a 3.2 from a Hotchkiss or Thomas Jefferson would typically be, in Michigan’s mind, quite possibly on par with a kid from a regular comprehensive HS GPA o 3.9.
I will try to give you and example so you can get a sense of it.
My son’s hs had been a magnet school for gifted/talented students (which later converted to full IB status.) He knew he’d wanted to go to Michigan as early as his sophomore year, but at the time was on the lower end of GPA (at that time, 3.3ish, despite very high PSAT, due in part to his music activities and in part to an LD).
At the time, the Michigan SOMDT had told him his portfolio/composition/performance were key, but that against those equivalent in talent, his GPA and rigor of school would form part of his assessment, with a baseline of “can this student succeed here” and with further comparison if choosing among a number of equally talented students. So despite Michigan’s current 3.8 GPA average on admits and general advisement for the most rigorous courses available at your school, the SOM “can” and “might” accept a student with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, especially if from a rigorous school.
So, while having enough academic rigor in your background to succeed at Michigan is relevant (and my guess is that you do), far more emphasis is placed on your musicality and development as an artist.
My son brought his GPA up to 3.9 in junior year, and Umich does pay attention to trends. And because he hailed from a top school, he also received a generous academic scholarship as well, despite is comparatively lower GPA.
At the same time, a student from the same program as my son, with an ACT of 35, a GPA of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale, and a competitive background on saxophone and composition was not accepted to Umich’s SOMDT.
I cannot think of a better example to illustrate that at least in Michigan’s case, academics WILL NOT trump play/musicality. So for Michigan, my advice is to keep up your improving trend, remind them of the rigor of your school in your essays, and focus on your development as a musician.
For Northwestern, I have heard tales of students being accepted musically but then rejected academically, as I believe the process may be slightly different. At Michigan if you are invited to audition and the SOM accepts you, that’s the final word.
Hope that helps you balance your path a little. Best wishes on your journey.