Hello,
I play the French Horn at one of the top band programs in my state and I have also made the top district band on the French Horn. Will an arts submission help my application to top boarding schools? The music level we play is around tenth to eleventh grade and people from my middle school usually go to top private schools around me with arts scholarships. I know athletes usually email coaches at boarding schools so should I email band instructors too?
Yes, it can certainly help at some schools. Even if the music department doesn’t get “picks” like coaches do, they can vouch for your ability and the contribution you’d make and encourage admissions to consult you.
It’s important though that you are accomplished. If your accomplishment is playing with an excellent ensemble, that’s less exciting.
Reaching out can also be a good way for you to learn more about the music program, which I assume you want to continue with at BS.
Not consult you, consider you. The dangers of a phone that thinks it knows better!
My unprofessional opinion (what I would advise my own kids) on the overall question: should I submit an art sample?
If what they are imagining in their heads as your level based upon the written description is lower than what your work sample would be, then definitely submit.
For example, if you have had the lead in the school musical, they are imagining a pretty good singer. If you are truly AMAZING, then absolutely you need to submit. If you are just “good for a high schooler,” then I would let it stand without submission.
Bottom line: if the submission will result in someone saying “wow” then submit. If not, then don’t.
You’re saying don’t submit unless someone says wow. I’m automatically assuming you mean not a family member nor band teacher. The only person I can think of who’s said “wow” to me would’ve been someone from the symphony who plays my instrument. Is that “enough qualification” for me to want to submit?
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Same question here. play in the band, but not wow. So I shouldn’t contact the music teachers but should I still include the link to my performance in the application? My music teacher wrote recommendation letter for one of the schools. Regarding visual art, same question, if it is not top notch but pretty good, should I do the submission?
You are better off starting your own thread. Hijacking is considered rude and is against the rules.
“Wow” in terms of what the admissions committee or members of the music faculty would think. For example, if you’re a string player and you’d be among the top players at a global music camp like Interlochen Arts Camp at least or Aspen at most, then “wow.” Or, if you are unfamiliar with places like that, and you’re a violinist, playing a concerto like Bruch #1 or Lalo Symphonie Espagnole really well would count.
Just a reminder that it’s just my opinion so feel free to do what feels right for you. Another way to look at it is that I personally believe exact same information shouldn’t be repeated in an application — so if you play trombone in the band and you play as well as that sounds on paper, then sending an OK submission is just repeat information which just dilutes the power of the more stellar parts of the application. (And if the trombone sample is just OK, I’m going guess that there are more special things to highlight so why distract?)
Hope that helps.
Again so what feels right for you.
A lot of my interview was talking about my interests in the arts, especially band. I also incorporated playing the FH in one of my Exeter essays. Because a lot of my application is focused on this, I’d feel like sending in a submission would be best for me. What are your thoughts?
I’m going to guess that anything important enough to be the focus of your interviews and a big part of your essays is a major area of your life focus. (And BTW just to clarify — talking about a major thing in your life from multiple angles doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve repeated the exact same Info — as long as you are pulling different takeaways/stories, etc…) So I would guess that you would fall into the “oh hey this kiddos is really good” category and this a submission would be a good idea. In fact, if you are essentially presenting this as your major contribution, then I almost think you should be prepared to back that claim up with evidence. (Meaning yes I would probably submit if all of the above is the case.)
But of course, feel free to ignore my thoughts here and listen to your head and heart.
From what you’ve said, it sounds like an arts supplement could not hurt and could possibly help. You believe this is a major contribution you can make to the school. And you don’t have the another verification (winning a major contest, for example) to “prove” that you are exceptional. This is your “thing”. Go for it!