How Can I Prove This?

Applying to College
1

<p>Note: Skip to the bold section if you don’t want to read all of this.</p>

<p>I taught myself how to play the piano when I was younger, and have been playing since I was eight. </p>

<p>With college applications coming in the next few months, I really want to portray who I am. Piano has become a big part of my life; it’s been a relaxation device, really. It’s really personal to me, and (I think) I have gotten very good at it. I write my own music and can play rather difficult pieces, though my own music is nothing like that.</p>

<p>Thing is, with all the fuss about college and people doing things for college, I decided to keep one thing, the piano, for myself. I never entered any contests or anything. It’s always just been something that I go home to. </p>

<p>Getting to the point, the piano has become a big part of me. I want to actually go out and maybe perform or take some courses in college once I get there. A friend suggested that I send in a recording of me playing the piano, and I think it’s a great idea.</p>

<p>But, then, a little birdie called Big Sister asked me how I would prove my passion to colleges. She mentioned that since most people have never actually heard me play the piano (besides friends and family) and since I have never entered any competitions, **how could I prove to colleges that I actually play the piano considering I have never performed in any competitions/recitals? **</p>

<p>So, that’s my dilemma. And, now, it is filtering through to other aspects of what I thought I’d put on my application. Some of my most time consuming extracurriculars have taken place through a local mosque that’s great, but how can I prove I actually did the things I write? It isn’t a problem for most things, but at the mosque, for instance, there are no adult workers that really have great English. I don’t feel comfortable asking them for a recommendation because I think the grammar or actual quality of writing would affect how the recommendation is perceived.</p>

<p>Some people said to just put it in my personal statement, but I feel like there is so much that means a lot to me, that my personal statement and other essays will just be a bunch of gibberish. I can’t seem to choose those 3 or 4 topics that define me because there aren’t 3 or 4 things that define me. There’s more, and each thing contributes to the person that I have become. I don’t feel like those things should be ignored, or less valued. </p>

<p>Anyways, any ideas?</p>

2

<p>I honestly thought this thread was about a math problem.</p>

3

<p>Many colleges accept tapes/CDs of musical performances as supplemental materials. Have one recorded at a studio for you to send to your various colleges. Why wouldn’t that be “proof” of your ability? No college will doubt that it’s you on the recording.</p>

<p>If the college has a music department, see if they have auditions for scholarships or if you could audition for classes (not for acceptance as a major).</p>

<p>If you write about your experiences at the mosque, that should be sufficient.</p>

<p>You’ll only need to “prove” your activities if the schools ask (and I’m assuming that you will be truthful in your application). At that point, someone in your mosque can communicate with the colleges, in a way that’s different than an official “recommendation”, and in a way that grammar won’t matter.</p>

<p>Just be truthful in your application and worry about “proof” later.</p>

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<p>In one of the college admissions books that I have read, an admissions rep said that their college got a recording of the applicant playing the piano. It was so good that the adcomm wondered why nothing was mentioned in any of the applicant’s ECs about piano. It turned out that Mom was a professional concert pianist – applicant did not get in.</p>

<p>On the one hand, if you are not that good, proof should not be an issue. On the other, if you are not that good, why are you sending a recording? If what you are looking for is a college where you could learn more about the piano, then I think the essay would be a good place to relate this (like you did above). Just make sure that the school has a music department where piano is offered.</p>

<p>With respect to the mosque, I would try to get someone who has a least a decent command of english to write a recommendation stating how helpful you have been. Like the essay, it will be in his/her voice and I doubt the AdComm will hold that against you (and it may make your recommendation seem more honest.)</p>

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<p>Thanks for all of the help guys! :] I’m not sure what to do still, but I feel a lot more informed and I think I can make a better decision.</p>

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<p>Me, too, lebedev. :)</p>

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<p>If you’re worried about having a poorly-written letter of recommendation that discusses your work at the mosque… well, would it be possible for someone at the mosque to write a letter and then have it translated to English by someone who is really fluent? If you explained it to colleges, I’m sure it would be all right. (Maybe you could contact the office of admissions just to make sure, and to find out how they would like you to go about it.) </p>

<p>As far as the piano goes, if you think your talent would benefit you in the admissions game, then by all means make a good recording of yourself and send it with your application as a supplement–if the college doesn’t forbid this. Again, you can call the office of admissions or just look on the college website to find out what position the college takes on the subject of supplementary materials. </p>

<p>Good luck. :)</p>

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<p>If you’re worried about grammar, include a copy of the original letter in its original language (I’m assuming arabic), and mention that the second paper is a translation. I would include a name/phone number of the translator, in case they would need to check.</p>

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<p>maybe if you got a teacher or highschool music teacher to include that in a recommendation</p>

10

<p>Be careful about additional recommendations. Many schools dislike them.</p>

<p>If you want to get a recommendation from the mosque because you believe that this person has something worthwhile to say about you that won’t be clear from the rest of your application, then that’s fine. If you’re talking about getting a recommendation from the mosque merely to prove that you volunteer there, don’t bother. You’ll only need that if the schools request verification. Many kids put their religious volunteer work on their applications without getting recommendations from the religious organizatoin.</p>

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<p>Definitely focus an essay or some writing portion on this topic; you can also send in a supplement if you want, but I think basing your essay around it would be the best option.</p>

<p>Applications, since there are so many and it’s next to impossible to verify everything on them, will usually be taken at face value. Unless something really stands out as being incorrect - numbers adding up wrong, contradictory information, etc - what you say (your piano-playing, for example) won’t be doubted. :slight_smile: I don’t think proving that you play is an issue; just how you present it.</p>