Acceptance chances?

Colleges & Universities University of Maryland - College Park
1

<p>Hey all,</p>

<p>Please read my entire post, I know it is lengthy, but I would appreciate it so much if a few of you could give me your insight. So UMCP (specifically the School of Music) is unequivocally my #1 choice. I am a junior at Westfield High School in New Jersey (a very competitive public school in my area). I already know that I want to go into Music Performance (Percussion) as my major, and maybe minor in either Music Education, Music History or Computer Science. I’m just a little nervous about my chances of being accepted. I’ll give you some background of my academics first:</p>

<ul>
<li>Weighted GPA: 3.59 (not including senior year)</li>
<li>Unweighted GPA: 3.65 (not including senior year)</li>
<li>Honors/AP courses (including senior year): French III/IV Honors, English III Honors, AP Computer Science, AP English Language, AP French. I also took Physics this past year, which is one of the hardest courses in the school.</li>
<li>ACT Composite: 31 (34 in Science, 32 in Math, 33 in Writing, 26 in Reading, 30 on essay)</li>
</ul>

<p>Here are most of my music credentials within the school alone including senior year (Honors denotes extra competition and auditioning):</p>

<ul>
<li>Four years of Marching Band (Drumline), Made Snare all 4 years, section leader senior year</li>
<li>Three years of Wind Ensemble (Honors), First chair percussionist for 2 years, Won Best Percussion Section at NJ Region II Wind Ensemble Festival</li>
<li>Three years of Concert Choir (Honors)</li>
<li>Three years of Jazz Ensemble (Honors)</li>
<li>Three years of performances with Chamber Orchestra (Honors) and Symphony Orchestra</li>
<li>Two years of Jazz Combo (members selected by Jazz Ensemble director)</li>
<li>One year of Chorale/Choraleers (Honors, requires membership in Concert Choir)</li>
<li>One year of Independent Study in Composition with composer Raymond Wojcik</li>
</ul>

<p>Here are a few of my music credentials outside of the school (not including senior year for the most part):</p>

<ul>
<li>Four years as Percussionist for the Hedgehog and Feather Theater Company</li>
<li>Four years as Percussionist for the Concord Singers of Summit</li>
<li>Two years in top 19 Baritones (over 1000 auditioned both years) in the NJ All-State Chorus</li>
<li>Two years as Administrative Intern and Drum Teacher (during the summer) at the Judith G. Wharton School of Music in Berkeley Heights, NJ.</li>
<li>Two years of the Goucher College Drumset and Percussion Camp</li>
<li>Two years of Rutgers Summer Music camps (One year Jazz, One year Band/Orchestra)</li>
<li>One year of the Lee Howard Stevens week-long marimba seminar at Drew University</li>
<li>One year as Timpanist for the Region II Percussion Ensemble (have not auditioned for senior year yet)</li>
<li>One year of performances with the Summit Music Festival Choir (I was the youngest member of the choir by eight years)</li>
</ul>

<p>I’m doing all of this off of the top of my head, so I’m probably forgetting some other significant performances or ensembles.</p>

<p>I have also performed at Carnegie Hall (with a youth choir) and NJPAC twice (with the NJ All-State Chorus, including senior year). I have lots of volunteer work/community service under my belt, and I have been a member of the WHS Bowling team for three years. Finally, if it makes any bit of a difference, I am currently studying percussion and marimba with Joseph Tompkins, the head of the percussion department at Rutgers University (New Brunswick).</p>

<p>I apologize for somewhat going overboard with the information and detail, but I am so unbelievably determined to attend and learn at this university. I also understand that the audition process is an integral part of my being accepted to the School of Music. If only a few of you all could give me some insight or advice, I would be very grateful.</p>

<p>Thank you all very much in advance.</p>

<ul>
<li>Jon Clancy</li>
</ul>

2

<p>I know a bit about the music school, but not much about percussion. I believe it’s a two part process to be accepted to the music school, meaning that you have to be accepted by the university, and of course, pass your audition and be invited to the school of music. From the details you have provided, it sounds like the music school will want you, so the question is whether or not you will be accepted to the university. I think you have a good chance, although I’m not that familiar with the ACT. Does your score translate to a mid 1300 SAT score for verbal and math? UMD seems to care a great deal about those test scores.</p>

<p>I know for sure there have been students who were courted by the music school, but didn’t get in because they did not meet the requirements for acceptance to the university. However, they had lower gpa’s and test scores than you. What I don’t know is whether or not the music school has some amount of pull if a student is borderline.</p>

<p>Perhaps you could schedule a lesson with a faculty member over the summer, and ask his/her opinion? Or, at least, ask the music school. I wish you the best of luck! The music school at UMD is wonderful, and the facilities are excellent.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for the reply! My ACT score translates to about a 1380-1400 in the 1600 scale, and a 2040 in the 2400 scale.</p>

4

<p>That’s great! I think you will get in :)</p>

5

<p>Thank you very much!</p>