<p>I’m a ‘one-dimensional’ Indian student in 10th grade. I am an NTSE scholar(equivalent to National Merit). I have qualified many exams and olympiads and have been at the top in school exams(I expect this to continue throughout high school). However, the problem I have is that my ECs are VERY weak, as pointed out by people online and offline.</p>
<p>I play tennis and swim(nothing much to say here) and play the piano(western) and flute(Indian classical music). I have qualified the 4th grade of Trinity Guildhall in piano. I have won a few national level competitions(flute) and have been in the school band and choir(piano).</p>
<p>Many people say that these are not enough for me to get into HYPSM as they need students who ‘stand out’. I believe that my flute is the only hope.</p>
<p>I started learning the flute in 8th grade and progressed very swiftly. Now, there is an institution called Prayag Sangeet Samiti(Allahabad Music Council) that offers examinations from 1st to 6th grade, the last one(Prabhakar) being equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in music. To give the Prabhakar exam directly, I need to be an artist in the All India Radio, which itself requires an audition. Here I would like you to observe that the AIR audition is actually HARDER than the Prabhakar exam.</p>
<p>However, to qualify these exams, I need to devote a lot of time to practice. The question I ask is that should I give a lot of time to these activities? Are they really that important? Please give your honest opininions and not vague answers.</p>
<p>You haven’t said anything about what you like to do, what you feel a passion for, what you want to spend time doing. HYPSM gets lots of applications with resume builders. They are looking for real commitment.</p>
<p>pandeyakshat: you can be “unidimensional” for HYPSM <em>if</em> you are nationally and internationally ranked in your pursuits. You literally have to be extraordinary at your “focused” one dimension.
In short, it’s not necessary for you to reach 6th grade for flute, however having an external certification will certainly help. If you can reach an advanced level (4th I think) it’d be enough. Olympiad prizes will matter more than flute 4th or 5th or 6th.</p>
<p>BTW in his/her recommendation you’ll have to have your counselor explain what “4th grade Trinity GUildhall in piano” means in that context. For example: 5th grade = professional/teaching, 6th grade= professional/soloist.</p>
<p>I second Catria’s post here: your MOST IMPORTANT schools will be your safety schools - “safety” quote quote since for internationals there are no true safeties, but at least schools where you are comparable to the top 5-10% applicants, where you’d be happy to go, and where you’d get financial aid.
By the Fiske Guide and/or Insider’s Guide to the colleges, and read “colleges that change lives” carefully (the website)</p>