what should I be doing?

Colleges & Universities Northwestern University
1

<p>I’m a high school sophomore hoping to attend northwestern, hopefully pursuing a dual degree in political science and music composition. I was wondering what I should be doing to improve my chances of getting into the school of music (I’ve been writing for guitar for some time and am starting piano, but on northwestern’s website it said that at least 3 mediums were required, and I don’t really know how to compose for an orchestra or a chorus or anything) and if I need to pull my grades up next year. </p>

<p>Right now I have a GPA of 4.25 (3.754 unweighted)- this year I’m in 4 honors classes and one accelerated, while next year I should have 1 AP (the only one offered for sophomores besides science courses which I don’t wish to pursue), 3 honors, and 1 accelerated, with probably 4 APs and 1 accelerated class my senior year. I’m hoping to get a 4.3 GPA by the end of this year, putting me around 4.275</p>

<p>I haven’t taken the SATs, but my PSAT scores were a 680 critical reading, 70 writing, and 75 math, with a 213 overall. I’m planning on taking an SAT prep course over the summer and probably taking the test 3 times to bring my scores up.</p>

<p>For music, I’ve been in chorus since 7th grade and I took a music theory course freshman year- I’m thinking about studying music theory more on my own and taking the Music Theory AP Exam even though we don’t have Music Theory AP at my school, but I’m not sure if that will be worth it or even possible to do on my own. I’ve been working on my music seriously for about a year now, and I took a songwriting course at the Putney School in VT over the summer. I’m a decent songwriter but have no experience in large scale composing and have no idea how to learn.</p>

<p>I was wondering how my chances look right now, and what I should be doing to increase my chances of getting in, especially to the bienen school of music.</p>

<p>Thank you so much!</p>

2

<ol>
<li>Check the music major forum. They have a wealth of information on this.</li>
<li>Attend a summer program for composing. Although it’s probably too late to apply for this year, look around, and if not, definitely plan for next summer. If you participate in a high level composing program, you’ll get more of a feel for what the field is like.</li>
<li>Try to find a composing teacher? I’m not familiar with this field but I think the best idea would be to get professional advice.</li>
<li>Write as much music as you can. Dive into those fields you haven’t composed for. Although I’m not a composer, if I were going to write music for an orchestra, I would first write a piano reduction and then create the score.</li>
<li>E-mail one of the composing teachers and ask for information from the school of music.</li>
</ol>

<p>Also, if you’re planning on doing dual degree, make sure your grades and SATs are stellar.</p>