<p>I didn’t know where to ask this question, since there have been so many topics on this issue. I go to one of the top public high schools in the country (the average SAT score is a little over 2200 and it is one of the top 3 feeders into Princeton). I have been playing the piano since I was five and pursue it as an extracurricular, but do not intend to major in it in college. I was thinking about sending in a cd to distinguish myself from the other great students at my school. I have great academics (4.0 GPA, 2250 SAT, in the 33-36 range for the ACT, in the 750-800 range for all my SAT 2s, 5s on 7 AP exams) and I am confident that I am getting great recommendations from my counselor and two of my teachers.
My question is, is it appropriate to send in a CD when I have never competed nationally? At the end of 9th grade, I passed the final level, Grade 8, of the Royal Schools of Music Examinations, which is the last level before teacher and performing certifications or diplomas of this British school of music. Generally this exam is considered a requirement to get into music colleges in Britain. I was wondering if anyone was familiar with this program and knew if this level is what colleges such as UVA, Columbia, UPenn, William & Mary, and Princeton are looking for, or if it would only hurt my application.
If it’s any help, I just recently polished some old pieces from middle school and early high school including Fantaisie-Impromptu by Chopin and Allegro Moderato from Sonata in C by Mozart (which isn’t particularly difficult)</p>