CPmitchell83

I just finished my masters degree in music. I am in the process of applying to schools to pursue a doctorate in composition for Fall 2013. I took awhile to finish my degree, and I finished with a GPA of 3.25, not great, but not terrible. I have yet to take the GRE, but I will have excellent recommendations and a STRONG portfolio.
My question is how many schools should I apply to? I currently have 11, and I am chopping it down to 8, maybe less. I was wondering if anyone has the experience of not having great grades but getting into a top notch program based on rec letters and a strong portfolio.
I'm trying to stick with several top notch schools, several "medium difficulty" schools and a few "easy" schools. I was told to make sure that there is a balance in order to increase my chances of admission. Is there anyone out there that majors in music or any degree that requires a portfolio. Even suggestions from people not majoring in the arts would be helpful. Please let me know what you think, Thanks!

CalDud

Top-notch programs? I'd say you'd be generally wasting your money with a 3.25 GPA unless you're coming from some extremely prestigious university (and even then that's a longshot).

I know plenty of people who got too "top-heavy" with 3.7's that were completely shut out this past admission cycle. I'd say get a lot of medium schools, put in a few reaches (but make sure they are very tailored to your interests), and put in a few schools that seem for sure things. I will probably be applying to 15.

CPmitchell83

That's kind of what I figured, but its worth a shot. My head professor is best buds with the head of composition at a prestigious University, and has ties with a few others. This might help, won't get get me into the school, but it helps nonetheless.
I'm trying to stick to mid-level schools, its hard because some schools out there don't offer much, I would almost rather waste my money applying to great schools than wasting 3-5 years of my life at a school that I don't like.