<p>Does he want to play with orchestra in college and continue cello study? The schools likely require the full cello audition because those coming in with that instrument play with the orchestra. I would have him discuss cello repertoire choices with his cello teacher. At my son’s school the composition students who came in on instruments other than piano as their main instrument were also required to study class piano but the strongest piano students passed out of class piano and are offered private lessons so they get the best of both worlds. I am guessing this happens at other schools as well but at my son’s school he gets to study private piano with a professor, not a grad. student. Might be worth checking what the situation with that is if he goes is as a cellist. With a comp. major I believe the portfolio should be the focus. While my son is a double major in cello performance and comp. I know he finds both playing in the orchestra, chamber groups, continued piano study as well as singing in the choir very helpful to him as a composer. You might look online at what each school requires for ensemble requirements for comp. majors each year. Would your son rather spend more time in the choir or orchestra? The schools we looked at required participation in both if you were a string players who was a composition major but my son will only do a couple of semesters in the choir but orchestra every semester. Might want to see what the pianists do for ensembles, maybe chamber music? What appeals to your son more?</p>