<p>I am debating whether or not to apply to Princeton ED or Stanford SCEA. My stats are</p>
<p>SAT I: 2270 (760 V 800 M 710 W)
SAT IIs: 800s on Physics, Math Level 2, World History</p>
<p>I have good ECs, my essays should be well-written, and I expect my teacher recs will also be excellent. I am also a legacy at Princeton (dad received his doctorate there), and I’m from the East Coast. I am interested in studying computer science, so I would apply as an engineering student to Princeton.</p>
<p>A concern I have right now deals with the Fine Arts Supplement. I play the piano at a pretty high level, and have received recognition on the state level (I live in MA near Boston). For pianists, Princeton requires</p>
<p>A Bach prelude and fugue
The first movement of a Beethoven OR Mozart OR Brahms sonata
A 19th or 20th century piece of choice</p>
<p>I have thus far already recorded a “19th or 20th century piece of choice”. As a matter of fact, two of them. However, I have not recorded a Bach prelude/Fugue or my Beethoven sonata (Tempest). Both schools require you to send in the recording two weeks in advance, so that would be by October 16. </p>
<p>Has any pianist had an experience with this? Is it possible that I can submit different pieces instead of the ones they require? My Bach is far along and if scheduling permits, I could record it within the next week. Would contacting the admissions or music departments be the best way to approach this? </p>
<p>Hi Sheldon. My D applied RD to Princeton last year, engineering major, and sent an arts supplement w/ classical voice and classical guitar. She followed the instructions on the supplement and submitted the required variety and stayed within the defined time limits. When she arrived on campus this fall as a freshman, she thought her time would be too limited to sing in choir. The director of the choir emailed her personally introducing himself and stating that he noticed she had not signed up to audition and since he had listened to her supplement and written a letter of recommendation to admissions, he wanted to encourage her to audition. Needless to say, she did. She loves the group, the director and is excited about the repertoire. Definitely take the time to prepare an arts supplement, you never know how it might affect your application!</p>
<p>I am also unsure about preparing an arts supplement. I am also interested in engineering, but I play clarinet. I actually asked my clarinet teacher about recording one, and he encouraged me not to–he said it wasn’t necessary because colleges will see that I am in every ensemble that our school offers, and it is unnecessary to send in a tape. I’m not sure though, because I definitely want to consider playing in band at college, and I don’t know if a supplement will give my application a boost.</p>
<p>My D sent in a supplement to both Princeton and Stanford with her dancing. Suffice it to say that those are the two highly selective schools to which she was accepted. It’s not just your talent that comes through, it’s your character, because everyone plays the piano, or clarinet, or sings, or dances, with a little bit of their spirit, right? As for the format, why not contact the music department and ask someone. They are usually quite nice at the dept. staff level at Princeton…</p>
<p>A little off topic, but how do msuic supplements work at Princeton? Does the music staff “recruit” people like athletes, and if so, will they send a “likely” letter or whatever? I’m really interested in any stories anyone has about this because i’m sending in one this year and i’m banking on it to get me in :-/</p>
<p>OhMother, the same thing happened to me, except I did violin and classical voice. I wasn’t going to do choir until Richard emailed me. I think I know who your daughter is!</p>
<p>It’s encouraging to hear that they take arts supplements so seriously. I’m not a musician, but I’ll be submitting a photography portfolio, so hopefully that’ll help in the admissions process (I’m applying RD).</p>
<p>Thanks for the helpful responses, especially to OhMother and Alumother. If I apply ED, my arts supplement will not be 100% complete, but if I apply RD, I miss out on the advantages that applying early brings. I will contact the Princeton music department and admissions department and ask if it is OK to send a CD with one of the requirements slightly altered. Hopefully I will get a favorable response!</p>
<p>JTC, I don’t think your clarinet teacher gave you good advice, unless you attend a music and arts hs. You need to demonstrate a level of developed talent that goes beyond being in hs groups. It is not unusual at Princeton to meet student musicians who have been in all-state orchestras, Juilliard pre-college, etc. Folloow your own instincts and send in a supplement.</p>
<p>sheldon, I sent my supplement in about 3 weeks late, and apparantly it was still considered just like all the other ones, so I wouldn’t worry about it being late.</p>
<p>I agree with aparent. You need to send in your supplement if you want to have any hope that the music department will advocate for your admission. My understanding is that having the music department seeking your admission is a definite plus but it does not make you a lock for admission.</p>
<p>Citation, we used a Sony MiniDisc Recorder (high density) with an audiotechnica microphone. You can upload directly to PC and burn a CD only takes a minute. I’ve since used it to record rehearsals, lessons, etc. It’s been a good investment.</p>
<p>Elphaba - glad to know my DD was not the only one who needed a little extra “encouragement” to audition for gee club. Guilt - it’s a great motivator! Are you excited about Hong Kong?</p>
<p>I really can’t stand chances threads, but I’m a little bit over-excited about my getting into Princeton. Do you think I will get a rec from the music staff, and if so how good?</p>
<p>I’m a bass/tenor trombonist who also plays tuba.
I’m in the NYS all-state wind ensemble (bass trombone).
There’s a really good chance for me being in all-eastern (but i won’t find out till december).
I made a CD and i played a note lower than the piano can play (not that this matters, but it’s not expected for a trombone).</p>
<p>It’s really difficult to say. D had great SAT, SAT II, recs and was also a female applying in engineering. Perhaps the CD and resulting letter to admissions from the music faculty is what tipped the scale. She was also all-state and all-eastern alto. Do you play any jazz trombone? Does that interest you? From what I understand, Princeton has an outstanding jazz ensemble as well. Though D played guitar in her high school jazz band, it was not something she wanted to continue to pursue at Princeton, so she did not include any jazz, only classical guitar.</p>
<p>Exactly the same with me. I do jazz at school, but it’s not really my scene, and I wouldn’t feel bad about dumping it in college. I didn’t do any jazz on my CD. I too have great scores and all, although I’m not a girl and not an engineer.</p>
<p>So, I’m not really interested in my <em>chances</em>, but you DO think that i will probably get a letter of rec of some kind for this??</p>
<p>Nothing is a sure thing, Clendenator, but if you’re all-eastern AND the right guy listens to your CD AND they need trombones in the orchestra next year, I would think you would have the same chance to have a recommendation letter as my D. Their orchestra is top notch. D also plays french horn in Symphonia (step down from orchestra). It’s not her first instrument, but she’s enjoying the experience. Interesting that her high school choir teacher thought she would be disappointed with Princeton’s music offerings, but she is delighted to be in both glee club and symphonia and though not the caliber of a conservatory, it is certainly challenging for her.</p>
<p>Well, I just want to say that you wouldn’t be considered as a legacy, because your father got a doctorate at Princeton. You are only considered a legacy if one or both of your parents attended the undergraduate school.</p>