<p>I’ve heard a lot about how playing the french horn can give you an edge regarding college admissions.
Any comments and insights? </p>
<p>Not unless you are a music major… It is the type of example people give all the time, but it actually isn’t something that gives an edge at most colleges. </p>
<p>Urban legend started by Middle School band teachers.</p>
<p>@diamarine To some extent, yes. If you are truly proficient in french horn, it would be in your best interest to submit an arts supplement to the school. Listing it as an EC is expected, but also commonplace. Submitting a supplement that contains some semblance of a resume, musical recordings, and even a letter of recommendation shows that you are truly accomplished and serious about music performance.</p>
<p>I disagree with @intparent to some extent. You don’t necessarily have to be a music major to benefit from an arts supplement. As long as you show an interest in continuing your music performance in college, the faculty will take that into account when sending their rating to admissions.</p>
<p>I’m speaking mostly from my experience. I applied as a transfer to Duke University and was admitted, and was told by my admissions officer that my arts supplement had a positive outcome on my candidacy. Best of luck!</p>
<p>That was an exception… unless they NEED a french horn player, it carries no more weight than any other EC. You can be a fine visual artist, and submit an art supplement, and it can help. But it isn’t a hook like being an athlete and having a coach vouch for you (that gets students with sub-standard credentials in at many schools). if you are very good and have awards for it and can provide an arts supplement, that can help. But no more than a science research experience with a published paper, a top finish in a state competition in a club sport, or many other ECs.</p>
<p>IMO no one is really proficient in french horn. 
</p>
<p>Don’t play any instrument just to get an edge in College admissions. An admissions officer from an Ivy League school once said that if they happen to need a particular instrument one year (she used harp an her example) it may provide a hook for one extremely talented person that one year. But for the next three years, when the school has their harp player, it won’t provide anybody with a hook – a second or third harp player -might be nice but is not really needed. So…once every four years an unusual instrument might provide a hook for one very talented person. Not great odds. Play the instrument because you like it, not because it will get you into college. </p>
<p>If you are terrific by all means send in an arts supplement it can’t hurt because it shows you have a very strong EC, but most likely that is it.</p>