<p>I’m applying to a great deal of Ivy League schools. Should I leave out some of my less-stellar achievements regarding piano to make my application look better? Here are my all of my achievements for piano listed:</p>
<p>-Martha Blood Scholarship Winner ($500)
-Organ Scholarship Winner (Free Professional Organ Lessons)
-Bangor Concerto Competition Finalist
-KOFO Competition Honorable Mention
-Lead Pianist for Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra
-Lead Pianist for Portland Youth Wind Ensemble
-Played 3 Solo Concerts (the only performer is me, and I get personally requested to play. I also get paid a good amount of money)
-Played at a Sudan Benefit Concert (star performer; I was the last performer on the program, the finale)
-On top of all of this, I am always using piano for volunteer work as well, such as through playing at silent auctions (Scarborough Marsh Silent Auction, Day One Silent Auction), through church services, etc.</p>
<p>Should I leave out the “Finalist” and “Honorable Mention” awards? In a way, they make me seem as if I “failed” at winning these competitions. Is this important to hide this from Ivy Leagues?</p>
<p>I am not sure if this is the case, but I thought that the common app asks you to list ACADEMIC awards and distinctions. Am I wrong?</p>
<p>Straight from the app…</p>
<p>"Briefly list any academic distinctions or honors you have received since the ninth grade or international equivalent (e.g. National Merit, Cum Laude Society). "</p>
<p>I’m not listing this in the “Honors” section though. I’m going to write about my achievements in the “Short Answer” space, where it asks you to elaborate on one of your activities, mine being piano.</p>
<p>The only thing from piano I have listed in the “Honors” section is the Martha Blood Scholarship Award. I think that’s okay though. I’m not entirely sure.</p>
<p>Also, should I state how much money I got from that scholarship ($500)?</p>
<p>Oh then sure, write all you want, it won’t hurt; in fact it will just show your passion for Piano. Whether or not you put the money down doesn’t really matter to be quite honest. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Given that it’s a short answer, I’m assuming there’s a word limit? I think that you should limit your answer to a few representative examples. Finalist and HM positions in no way indicate “failing” anything; they indicate achieving at a high level.</p>
<p>Personally, I would mention the scholarship (but not the amount - it’s unnecessary), one of the competitions, the fact that you are lead pianist for the youth symphony orchestra, and the Sudan Benefit concert, as well as the fact that you play at silent auctions and church services and other volunteering events.</p>
<p>As a non-pianist interested observer, those are the things that seem the most impressive to me and are the most understandable to someone who does not live in your region and who does not play piano. I am not sure what a KOFO or Bangor competition is, so you’d have to explain it briefly in your short answer. It’ll be easier and less clunky to do that with one competition than both. (Personally, I’d pick the one in which you were a finalist.) Three solo concerts also seem very “so what?” to me…you’d have to explain the context, and I would only do that if you had extra room.</p>
<p>Put together, the ones I picked also make you seem the most well-rounded while still showcasing your passion. Through piano, you’ve won scholarships, played in exhibitions and competitions, and volunteered to help other people. That shows several sides of you (academically minded - trying to get money for college; performance-minded - competing with other pianists and playing semi-professionally; and social justice/volunteer-minded - using your exceptional skills to benefit others).</p>
<p>Getting the designation of “Finalist” or “Honorable Mention” at a competition is nothing to be ashamed about. At least the fact that you won something is better than not getting anything at all (which happens to the majority of said competition’s participants).</p>
<p>I don’t know much about the situation, so don’t read too much into what I say.</p>
<p>You might want to write a little essay about your love/dedication to the piano.</p>
<p>Something like “I started playing the piano when I was young, and it has been one thing that I have consistently enjoyed. I fondly remember practicing my first song, hammering at the keys until I finally mastered it. That sense of accomplishment fueled me into more practicing. All of this practice paid off when I was finally able to play at a high skill level. Recently, I have started to enter piano contests and perform in solo concerts. (briefly describe the main things that you listed). I have been fortunate to have these opportunities to improve my playing skills and to display my talent…”</p>