I have 2 kids that auditioned at music programs, all within colleges or universities. They varied in how they did admissions.
They each applied to 2 schools of music within large public flagship universities. Both those programs said directly that music admissions (and any auditioned program) was completely seperate from academic admissions. There were students that were accepted via the audition process that were then later rejected via the admissions office. So you may just want to email music admissions offices directly and ask how their process goes individually. Are you in state for either of these options?
Most music students will apply to more programs than this. Do you have a horn teacher helping you? Stand alone music programs may be more willing to overlook academics for a very strong audition. Though they may end up more expensive overall.
This is what several articles I read this am said too - and some included IU and Michigan. A Juliardās or other stand alone has a lot more admission flexibility than a school attached to a university.
My 3.3 music major kid got admitted to schools where 4.0 kids were deferred or rejected. Music does have admissions weight especially if the kid shows upward trend of grades improving.
Certainly highly talented musicians can be exceptions to the rule when it comes to university based music programs. My son auditioned for JSoM along with several other schools/conservatories several years ago. Iām glad I didnāt read the academic requirements that @tsbna44 posted above. My son did not meet all of them. He did have a strong GPA, around 3.8-3.9, however. He just prioritized more time in the practice room over science classes. He was awarded a large academic scholarship stacked with a music merit scholarship. I am certain there were other students more deserving of an academic award. So my point is that music schools will pull some strings to entice highly talented musicians.
Having said that, a 2.3 GPA is significantly lower than the range for IU. Perhaps you have a shot if you are one of the top horn candidates auditioning. But in my opinion it is a long shot. But none of us here can really tell youā¦only your audition ranking weighed against academic benchmarks that IU decides would give you an answer.
I assume you have passed the prescreen. It looks like horn auditions for Jacobs are in these next few weekends. Wondering if you are asking if it is worth traveling to an audition? I agree with @thumper1 to consult with your private teacher.
I am hoping you have also applied to some conservatories. (not college based) Your admission to these programs will be based solely on your audition.
As an aside, my son (now in his fourth year at a conservatory) has a classmate who is a fabulous French horn player. She struggled all through HS due to severe dyslexia. She is thriving, although aspects of music theory have been challenging. People find their way with their strengths.
My information is āolderā so keep that in mind.
My D had a high school buddy with a 22 ACT. He applied and was āheldā by IU for general acceptance until AFTER the audition. My D on the other hand was accepted right away for general admission (as most students are)ā¦then you move to the music school acceptance. So you must get 2 acceptancesā¦unless things have changed.
He was an excellent musician. He passed the Jacobs audition and was then accepted at IU fully. This was the policy at the time. I do believe that his ACT and GPA were at the base of what was acceptable IF you pass the audition.
Plz note that he dropped out the first year as he was not able to keep up academically. Eventhough IU may have some gen ed classes that would be a more standard workload/difficultyā¦the music school classes are top notch and difficult with talented peers. They do require other skills, not just music, like reading, writing, critical thinking and all require a lot of timeā¦along with practice and performance time. So you do need musical AND academic skillsā¦no matter how āeasyā the gen ed classes may be.
I should have read more carefully. It does seem that you have an audition dateā¦so it does seem that IU, in general, did not reject youā¦and your performance level must be high enough for serious consideration at JSOM.
Have you hear anything from gen admissions or not? Are you āheldāā¦or some term like that?
Iām not sure if an audition is standard for ALL music students (held for acceptance by general admissions) that pass pre-screensā¦or case by case.
You could call or email music admissions (not general admissions) and ask: Can I be accepted by Jacobs and then rejected by IU, in general. Or would I have been rejected already? Donāt worry about anyone ājudgingā you. You donāt even need to give your nameā¦just your circumstance. I would assume that you are still āin the runningā if you got an audition date.
The good news: if Jacobs wants you, they may find a way. The music school seems to have carved out āits little worldā so IU general admission may just follow along (as would be possible at some schools for athletes). BUT you may need to take remedial, non-credit college classes if you are lacking in any areas (I did see that).
Hopefully you are contacting the horn facultyā¦to advocate for yourself as a serious musician and student. If not, I would suggest that. They may know that you are being āheldā and they may consider that or notā¦
The above is my āopinionā based on some experienceā¦so Iām not sureā¦but hope this helps in some way.
Absolutely agree with this advice. Particularly if you are needing to spend money to travel/audition. If you happen to live close to IU and will not incur much expense, might be good to just take the audition. Audition experience is always valuable in and of itself.
THIS! Mine did NOT meet the GPA or SAT bars for UMiami but was admitted to Frost (with scholarship) when others with far better academic stats were rejected/deferred. I feel like it was weighted heavy on the audition!
Conservatories care less about your GPA/test score, so if your audition is spectacular, your academics would not be held against you.
I have seen students who would never have gotten into U Michigan for their academics, get in for their jazz music performance. I do think that if the School of Music at some of the more selective universities says that they REALLY want the kid, the academic side may bend a bit. But 2.3 is really very low for any academically selective schools. In your case, the ACT/SAT might actually help a bit, since they are better than expected with a 2.3.
U North Texas is your other favorite? I think that your academics wonāt hurt you as much there, since they are not very selective, academically.
Some UNT students like to joke that all you need is a heartbeat to be accepted. So maybe you have a chance there academically? Your music awards sound great so itāll all boil down to your audition. Are you wanting a performance degree?
My son is at UNTā¦he says all the time how easy the ācore and electivesā areā¦but he also has 5-6 (mix of 1,2,and 3 credit) music classes each semester that are torture! Def far easier to get into academically than other big universities! Unfortunately, they turn away a lot after the auditions! Having said that, he loves the challenge he gets there musically!
if you got an audition date then Jacobs willing to hear you out. As many have said it will be completely down to the audition. Be aware scholarships/aid hard to come by so if counting on that just be aware.