Which saturday program…?

Hello all,

Recently i’ve been accepted in the columbia science honors program. meanwhile, for the past 2 years, i have been enrolled int eh Juilliard prepatory program. i understand that both are amazing opportunities, but now is a time where i have to choose 1 over the other. i know for sure that I will major in STEM. what should I do?

boost

Which program do you want to do?

I am under the impression that the Julliard program involves music, at a relatively high level (eg, you need to have been doing this for a while with a significant commitment and ability). Let me know if I am wrong about this.

Music is a tough way to make a living and people who are good at it often actually make a living in a very different type of career. We do have some experience with someone who is very good at music deciding to take a different career path. I will admit that I was disappointed when one daughter gave up on her music to focus on something else (I might have been her biggest fan). However, I understand that she did the right thing. She is now in a career that she loves and that makes a lot of sense for her (she is a veterinarian). I have worked my entire career in high tech but have multiple times seen someone who I know from work get up at a music event and play, and in most cases play very well.

In a similar sense if you are excellent at music, but want to focus on some form of science or math or technology, this is likely to make a lot of sense. I do however see how this can be a tough step to take.

One issue is that you do not have to do either program. Continuing with the Julliard program will show the ability to focus on one goal for a while and reach a high level. Participating in the Columbia science program will help get you started in a direction that you want to go it. You can get into good universities and go on to have a good career in any one of a huge number of STEM fields after doing either one, or even without doing either (although to me they both sound so appealing that I would do one of them for sure if given this choice – picking which one would be hard for me also).

I do not think that you can go wrong with either choice. I think that you should do whichever of these exceptional programs that you want to do. Congratulations on having this choice. You must be doing at least two different things very well!

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Whichever you prefer.

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Is it Julliard prep or regular Julliard precollege? And what grade are you in?

At the high school level, I do not think you need to worry about career direction with this decision. Juilliard prep grads often get into top colleges. If you applied to BS programs in STEM, you would do a music supplement with recording/video, music resume and 1-2 letters of recommendation related to music.

Continuing Juilliard vs starting the science honors program, in other words, is not likely to affect admissions chances, which are relatively high with that level of music. So if that is what you enjoy most, do that. Would you miss Juilliard?

On the other hand, if you absolutely love science, and are ready to give up Juilliard prep, do that. If admissions chances are not your focus, but instead your current interest level, then do what interests you most and gives you the most enjoyment.

I have a kid with a PhD in music. But doing Juilliard prep does not mean you are headed for a career in music or even a major in music. You will be most welcome at many campuses for extracurricular music while you pursue STEM.

I suppose an argument could be made that sticking with Juilliard shows a depth of commitment. Then again, doing science shows commitment to that. Basically, again, what do you actually want to do without regard to admission to college, or future career? Because at your age that should be the deciding factor- what you want to do.

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Congrats on your success.

The problem with success, in that you applied to two - choice.

I would not worry about college admissions and an advantage toward it, if there even is one.

I would attend the program that brings you the most joy today!!

Best of luck.

If you enjoy music, then stick with the program at Juilliard as it will distinguish your college application from tens of thousands of competing applicants’ applications.

THIS! The grads of Juilliard prep are not all music performance majors in college. But their strong music skills are very welcomed at many top colleges.

At many top colleges, there are a lot of very fine musicians who aren’t music majors, but continue to play in college.

I swear I read someplace that music ECs are the most likely at the elite schools for applicants.

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Thanks for the such well thought out response. My main concern is distinguishing myself from the competition. If I choose SHP, I have the fear of blending in with every other Asian male interested in STEM. However, I feel like Juilliard sets me apart from that. What are your thoughts?

This is a very good point, thank you

Thank you!

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All I can say is that the students who did conservatory prep in our city mostly went to Ivies. Juilliard students even more so, I would imagine. My own kid only did two years of conservatory prep but the music supplement was instrumental (no pun intended!) in their admission. (I am not saying that Ivy League schools are the best option, but I am reporting the results I heard which did tend in that direction.)

Which do you want to do?

Given your race won’t be factored into admission (at least as a box check), I would assume your concern is unfounded. Yes, it can be seen in an essay or activity but I think you are over thinking.

You should do what interests you more.

Many schools are Asian heavy and many schools are Asian light - and this should not be your concern in high school when picking a program like this.

Kids - you put way too much pressure on yourselves.

Sorry, I worded that badly lol; I didn’t mean it about Asians specifically. I was just thinking more about the general competition and how a lot of people interested in STEM tend to have similar profiles, so it can feel hard to stand out sometimes

Let me ask you this - which would you rather do? Take everything else out of it.

You have zero idea why you get into - or don’t get into - a specific school.

Just coming back to add that, like others, I encourage you to do what you actually want to spend time on. Living your life for admissions can be pretty toxic and believe it or not, I have read that some students at schools like Harvard suffer depression once that external goal is actually reached (until they continue the competition for finance jobs!). Would you miss music? I would think that continuing music would be a better balance for a high school life of rigorous academics than a science program, but maybe you love science that much.