Write about making music or art, but no work submitted?

Applying to College
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I was thinking of writing about some challenges I had making music with my garage band during covid, or other matters concerning music or art production, but…

I’m not audition material in either field. My essay would be about determination or something or other, not sure yet.

But can I bring up these activities yet not submit any work?

I might be premed or prevet, or something else, but def. not music or art

Applying to “buyer” LACs hoping for big merits.

Won’t include all my stats (I have in other posts) since I think this is not a question about me but about the admissions essay process.

This could be for common app or supplementals

Thanks!

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Yes

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I guess I worded the question narrowly.
I take it from the definitive “yes” that I “can” do that and it won’t reflect badly on me.
There are other aspects to the question, like, are these good topics to write about in general (take, say, the covid garage band essay), and there are some nuances I’m wondering about and looking for experiences or insights anyone might have.

To give three somewhat different examples:

I have the impression that Puget Sound is looking for bodies in chairs of its music classes (just an impression I get). In this case I would guess this could be a good topic because it implies I might take a music class even if the essay is about another theme.

My brother got the very vague impression that his interest in forming a rock band, expressed in interviews and emails, was well received at Beloit, almost like they were thinking “we need more cool people here to make middle of nowhere less boring.” Could be wrong about that.

I’m applying to Lawrence-- they don’t seem like they would prick up with attention at the thought of a musician joining them. They’ve got plenty. Or maybe they want everyone to be involved in music, or want conservatory crossovers? It’s a nuance.

St. Olafs has come up. They would pay for talent for sure, but what about not talented?

FYI This is somewhat related to a larger question I have, but not trying to derail this post, of what to do about the fact that I’m not exceptional at anything. Like most people.

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Ok…I’ll stick my neck out.

  1. Yes, you can write about this in your essays. You don’t have to submit related arts materials to show that you did something important to you.

  2. BUT…I’m going to add…everyone had challenges doing things during Covid times and especially group performers. I am not sure this essay would be a good one in terms of helping you stand out from the crowd of applicants…but that’s my opinion.

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good point. I was thinking I could talk about how I self-taught myself audio recording and editing, and found a new passion.
To be honest, that wasn’t too hard and people in the know might know that.

I think the main point is, at a bare minimum, keep the focus away from Covid. Maybe avoid it all together.
This is connected to the bigger issue of how to stand out, when I don’t stand out. By definition, not everyone can be above average.

Still wondering about the attractiveness of non-talented musicians to music oriented colleges, and all the other nuances.

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Without knowing the prompt and seeing the essay, it’s hard to generalize. A well-written response to a prompt “Expand in one of your ECs” is fine. But I highly doubt that Puget Sound or any other college will make offers based on the topic of the essay. On the flip side, I doubt any college will reject based on essay theme.

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Thanks. I’m not sure I believe it doesn’t matter one way or another. I’m pretty sure it can matter in terms of the impression you’re building and in terms of what (secret?) things a college is looking for to compose it’s incoming class. I didn’t mean to make it a question of whether or not I’d get an offer based on the topic. I was trying to be more nuanced.

But I can understand an answer of “there’s no way to know in what way it will matter,” which is another way to close it off.

I’m under the impression that one can find a way to fit any essay topic into at least one of the common app prompts, especially the write about anything prompt.

At least, that’s the advice I’m following in the latest college app book I’m reading (or skimming).

Perhaps I’m trying some surrogate method to get to an essay topic, but I still believe there’s something to my questions as formulated.

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Not sure I understand the basis of your question.

I’m assuming you’re going to right about this in an essay - either to a prompt or make your own prompt. Or you’re going to list it on your list of extracurriculars - I play “x” in a band for the last year.

Either way, if that’s what you’ve done, if that’s your passion. Talk about it. Highlight it.

You are not applying to be a music major. You are not seeking a music scholarship.

You are talking about yourself - no different than if you played baseball, walked dogs at the homeless shelter, or otherwise.

Sounds to me like a great essay topic potentially - depending on how it’s phrased.

But there’s zero issue here related to you submitting something. In fact, it would be odd if you did submit something.

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I guess I revised “the basis” of my question. I have the simple answer now, and I believe you are right about it.

I guess I am derailing this toward the question of whether a commonplace interest in playing an instrument is the best aspect to show of myself to music oriented colleges as opposed to other things I might highlight about myself. There is a limited opportunity to make an impression.

And in general, as thumper also brings up for me, how to stand out when there is nothing exceptional about me.

I perhaps should have included some personal info too: I need to swing for the top of the stadium and hit a home run on my essay, because of my financial situation (also, test-optional). I have to be exceptional on paper, somehow.

I have a few stats to back it up but it really needs to be a home run.

(and it’s too late to unthink that thought, although I know how to freely brainstorm even under pressure)

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Why do you think Lawrence is a good fit?
If you sat down with an admissions officer today and they asked why they should admit you, what would you say?

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By definition of the overall tenor of this thread, I absolutely do not know what I would say, as the interview, while not as important as the home run essay, also needs to be a triple or double, work with the essay, and fit what they are looking for.

However the honest truth to the answer is Lawrence seems pretty great for a quirky, creative and kind of nerdy girl like me, and I think my 4.0 #1 of 60 might be good there, as it has good merits to offer, on the npc and by reputation. However, like I said I’m not exceptional at anything. I could have been if I had known that I was supposed to be. I did lots of things my whole life and never got good at any of them, and I wasn’t trying to be or thought I should.

(Strangely, if you check Lawrence’s info on interviews, and sample interview questions, they specifically address some of these concerns as though reading my mind. Everything except the being exceptional thing. It seems everyone has to be above average everywhere in the better LAC world)

I’m not in a position to simply choose the right college for me, however, so I need to go wherever I can wind up being exceptional enough to get merits. Luckily, there are a few places that might be opportunities, like Lawrence, where that wouldn’t be a bad fit. If I can figure out a way to stand out, which I’m struggling with.

EDIT: I realize you asked my why I should be admitted, rather than why I want to go there, which is what I answered above.

I don’t have an honest answer to why I should be admitted. I do well at school. I’m a creative person, but there are lots of those and I can’t think of a single reason why I, rather than other creative people who are good at school, should be admitted.

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I think you are overthinking the impact your essay will have on admissions.

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That’s the first time I’m hearing that a test-optional candidate’s essay does not have a huge impact.

I think I’m right that I should be looking for a good topic and I take advice like @thumper1 's to heart.

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A) I’m sure you are exceptional - you just have to find out what makes you exceptional. That you have a garage band shows leadership. That you did in during covid shows creativity.

If you keep saying you’re not exceptional - then you won’t be because you’ll fall into that trap. But you have a 4.0, you play music, you are out here seeking guidance - I have no doubt that you are exceptional in many ways - and you should exude that confidence.

College admissions in many ways is a sales process. you are the sales person - and the product you are selling is - you!!

B) no one is truly sure how much essays help. I talked to someone at a top 20 and if someone doesn’t hit the GPA/ACT thing - they don’t even bother.

C) I don’t know your stats - as you said that wasn’t the basis of your question - but there are schools out there that will work for you - so find the right schools, not necessarily the best. I’m going to assume you’re a full need kid - and ok, you may be at a non-full need covered school but many still cover most.

There’s a school for you and your budget - i promise - but i suppose that’s part of another discussion.

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I hope you are right, but from perspective it doesn’t hurt to maximize my chances.

My essays will probably be looked at at most of the places I apply as I’m only going for so-called “safties” (in terms of admission, not merit)

I’m test optional, 4.0 uw, #1 of 60, only AP Calc and Art offered at my school (taken both) and only 2 years Spanish offered at my school, play volleyball year round but not well enough to be recruited D3 or even make a team, and I don’t see how in heck I could do any more EC than that and still do homework.

I feel there is a lot riding on the essay or at least it wise for me to approach this as if it mattered a lot.

I think my premise on this thread actually is that I realize this is a sales process and I’m trying to find a good pitch!

I of course do have to compartmentalize my belief that there is nothing exceptional about me that I can point to except something I concoct in this essay, and drink the koolaid.

I am proud of the fact that I can say there is nothing exceptional about me yet and that I’m not afraid to say that. I am clearly in the eyes and ears of others, and on the scoreboard, not exceptional.

Do I think there is something special about my singing voice that might come out some day, and be more prominent than the flaws? I do think I can say maybe. Is there something special about my musical play. Do I think I might accomplish something exceptional some day? It’s possible.

But I absolutely do not believe that I should have to concoct some false impression that I’m special. I understand however that I do have to do that.

I also understand that “It’s not a lie if I believe it.”

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Ok maybe one exceptional thing.

I just saw a creative writing scholarship thingy at one of my colleges and have seen them before at others.

While I haven’t wrote fiction since elementary school and haven’t thought about it one lick, I might…maybe… be able to write something auditionable. I do have writing skills.

But this would be a major, and also quite false, pivot in my application advertising avatar.

I’d have to rethink a lot of things.

And it would be a lot of work right now when I have no time and a big gamble on my time.

I have at least people to show work to who could tell me whether I should submit this yet to exist fiction piece.

The scholarship I’m looking at is a 5 page submission. Yikes. That’s a lot of elegant writing and storytelling skill to do a 5 page piece.

Maybe I’m digressing…

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I don’t know for sure. I don’t work in admissions. It’s just a hunch that essays don’t carry much weight for the type of schools you are applying to. When we were at Lawrence the adcom told S not to worry too much about the essay and said he could even submit a paper he had already written for a class.

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Was your kid a very expensive admit? Did you get at least tuition covered if not more?

If you have the basic stats and some money then yes who cares just submit something.

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You may not be exceptional on a scorecard or quantifiable basis, but that doesn’t mean you’re not exceptional. Not saying you can necessarily show it - but have confidence.

So this isn’t a chance me and I don’t know what you’re looking for - but I’ll assume aid and if we’re talking Lawrence, music must be involved.

While you don’t have rigor, schools look at it - i.e. # of APs in regards to how many your school offers - so if you have two offered and took both, you are good.

So are you applying to colleges that meet 100% needs? Maybe there’s trade off in geography or size and I don’t know what you’re after at all. And yes some are need aware.

If it needs to have music, and I don’t know that it does, why not a Connecticut College (60% of admits are TO), Denison, Franklin & Marshall, U Miami, Oberlin, Skidmore, Wesleyan (40% of admits are TO), Colgate, Rice (for a flyer), Berea.

Just throwing out examples - and then there are definitely low cost publics or other privates with nice aid - but not meets need - a Kalamazoo.

Again, just throwing stuff out without knowing the first thing of your interests, etc.

Just to show you - there’s a school out there for an exceptional prospect - and I have no doubt that you are.

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I don’t know much about Lawrence but have had conversations with AOs and deans of LACs, and I have heard that the most important thing is fit. With a 1,500 student population fit is huge, and they’ll be very interested in how you would contribute to their community in various ways. For instance, they want to see you would join a club sport and an a cappella club, and help run sound equipment at concerts and contribute to their literary magazine. Do research into particular ways you would want to participate and ways their bio programs (or whatever your major will be) intrigue you. You don’t have to be the person on stage.

They will also be concerned with yield, so make sure you contact your AO rep and avail yourself of virtual admission sessions, tours and interviews.

Knowledge about their programs and being able to confidently answer why they should admit you will be key to a home-run essay.

You sound like a great kid. Good luck.

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