Thanks for your valuable advice!! 
Thank you! The experience you shared is very inspiring to meļ¼
Thank you!
In grade 6, my school wind band won first place in a national competition,I was the lead tuba player. Later, I formed my own small band with my classmates, and we still perform regularly. I got the highest grade in the tuba grading exam. I play the tuba very well, but not a top player.
The thing is, tuba is so rare, and is so needed, that you donāt have to be one of the top ten tuba players in the country to have it affect your admissions. You just have to be a competent tuba player.
My kidās experience at a tippy top was that their music achievement most definitely did influence their acceptance.
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I think this does apply to students who are excellent musicians, who have taken private lessons to a high level, participate in precollege programs, etc.
Like @compmom im not sure Iām reading this student is at that level.
But nothing ventured, nothing gained. If this student wants to submit a music supplement, they just need to find out if the colleges of interest even accept them (some donāt), and how the schools want these done and sent. And the student needs to prepare an excellent several minutes of playing.
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I think that tuba is different. Itās so hard to get tuba players, and yet they are needed, that I suspect that a good enough tuba player would be in demand, as opposed to a good enough cellist.
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I donāt think we can speculate on whether a supplement will help or not, but you certainly can submit one and try. We donāt know what admissions or music faculty are looking for. Talent, yes, but in our case letters of recommendation may have made a difference in terms of ācharacter.ā
In the meantime, it seems music is not the main focus here so make sure to look at schools with excellent psychology departments. IF fijnances are not an issue you have many choices: Ivies, ālittle Iviesā (google this, Tufts , Amherst et all are good examples for you). Also check out Colleges that Change LIves, which has a website.
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OP, if your username contains your real name you may want to change it.
Congratulations on your achievement! I believe you have a very good chance of being accepted to top US universities; however, I donāt think your goal should be ātop 20ā.
When you think of which university to apply to (and eventually attend), what are some perspectives that are important to you? Academic growth? personal growth? potential for advanced study/degree? job prospects? school ranking? campus life? access/exposure to city? When you know what you want from your college experience, and express it clearly in your application (hopefully to the schools that provide them), you have a better chance convincing the school that you are a good match.
Good luck!
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Iāve worked extensively with Chinese international students, and knowing the landscape, hereās the advice especially given that youāre in Beijing, Chinaā¦
Competition is heavy. Spots are limited. Your results will heavily depend on 1) the admissions records of your schools, and 2) other students in your year. By public school, Iām wondering if you mean the international department of a public school or just plain public school. If your school doesnāt have a strong track record of sending students to top schools, understand that there will be an invisible āglass ceilingā in terms of the schools you can get into.
You are clearly a splendid student, and you have everything it takes to get into any of your ED schools. However, when competition is tough, you really have to spread out your options and apply to enough safeties as well.
One other piece of this puzzle I have to emphasize to you: do not underestimate the power of a good essay. An essay that is well written that pieces everything together ā a complete narrative ā can really differentiate between the last few candidates.
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Thank you for your valuable advice!
And I have changed my username.
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Thanks for your valuable suggestions! I am in the international department of a public school and it does have a strong track record of sending students to top schools. There are many excellent students here.
Would you be able to share how your childās music achievement influenced admission? Did your child reach out to the music department/band director at the schools he or she was interested in?
My child plays the tuba and multiple people have commented to me that it can open doors but Iām unsure of how the process works regarding music. Thanks!
Thatās what my kid did. She plays an endangered two instruments that most orchestras need. She reached out to the applied teacher, the orchestra director, and the music department chairperson.
In my kidās case, a music supplement was not needed as she did trial lessons with the applied faculty (but this was 2005 and Iām not sure that would happen now for a non-major).
For colleges that allow an arts supplement, I would suggest you submit one. Talk to your private teacher about what to playā¦it should showcase you playing well.
Good luck to you. Many orchestras need a good tuba player!
ETAā¦you are internationalā¦will you be able to bring your own instrument to college here?
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