Flametrooper

Hi there,

So I was looking at Yale's tips on sending in supplementary materials. They seem to be fairly strict about not receiving anything that isn't really high quality.

I have a band, and we recorded a five-song EP this last spring. I wrote four of the five songs, played guitar on all of them, and sing on one. Unfortunately, I don't have a score for any of them since we put together the parts as a band. Should I still send in the link to the music or will that count against me? The only thing I really have are lyrics sheets with chord changes, which I can't imagine would be too useful.

Here is the link to our music if that helps you somehow. The song I didn't write is Without a Sign. The song I sing on is Motions.

Clear Recognition

Thanks!

Hunt

This is probably not the kind of material that I would put into a separate arts submission--it's not (in my opinion) what the music department is looking for. BUT--I would consider putting this link in your application, perhaps in your listing of ECs when you describe this band. It's impressive not so much for musical virtuosity, but rather because you put together a band, performed, wrote songs, and released an EP. That's cool, and I think admissions folks would think so, too.

gibby

Nice job! My first thought is to NOT send Yale this link as a supplement. Although the quality is certainly very high, your guitar playing gets lost among the drums, keyboard, vocals, effects, mix etc. In addition, 5 people are credited writing the songs, so it's difficult to tell from the website what you wrote and what others contributed. So, I'm not sure how this supplement would enhance your overall application. On the other hand, it's very unique and makes you stand out.

Yale's music department is more classically focused and has specific requirements for musicians and vocalists submitting supplements: Yale Department of Music > Undergraduate Program > Supplementary Materials

"Submissions from instrumentalists and vocalists should consist of two or three pieces of contrasting styles ( e.g. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern, etc.) which demonstrate abilities in the areas of tone, technique, and interpretation. Singers should submit at least one piece in a foreign language. Do not present selections from method books. Whole pieces or movements (as opposed to excerpts) are preferred."

Is there a way you could make an mp3 which included "Motions" but also followed Yale's directions to include two other contrasting pieces that featured you playing/singing in different styles? That might work better as an arts supplement and enhance your overall application than just submitting a link to your band's website.

If that's not possible, then I like Hunt's suggestion of including the link in the extracurricular activity list. It makes you stand out and that's good when there is so much competition! And the Admissions staff I think would enjoy it.

Flametrooper

Thank you guys! I am not really sure what I could do to match Yale's supplement, so I think it may be best if I just included the link elsewhere.

Unfortunately, I already sent out the Common App...

Is there anywhere else this could go or any way I could get this to schools?

gibby

You can make an alternate version of the Common App, and send that version, with the link, to schools that you have not already sent your application to. See: https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/...hnologyFAQ.pdf

For Yale, you'll need to include the link on Yale's Supplement under supplemental materials. I would check the box "other."