Optional Arts Supplement
Hello! I just had a question about some colleges and universities' optional arts supplements (specifically Princeton, Stanford, etc.). On the application page, you have the choice to submit a supplement (for me, it would be violin). However, I am not planning to major in anything music-related, so would it be necessary to submit this? I have been playing violin for 7 years now, but I don't know if it would help my application at all if I were to submit it.
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2 answers
I mean, it can't hurt? It's proving that you put time into something outside of your major that you care deeply about, so I'd submit it.
IMO, you should pick a piece that's under 5 minutes, has some technical difficulty but not so much that you'll stumble (as you're not a music major, it's likely someone with less musical experience will hear you) and focus on making your tone as good as possible. Show off your best skills- vibrato, trills, ornaments, whatever- and try to select something with as little of what you're not so good at (I play flute, so for me that's pianissimo super-high notes).
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I think that you should submit a supplement if you can showcase advanced violin mastery. It would make you stand out, since most applicants who are not majoring in music do not showcase high-level musical talent. However, submitting a supplement that receives low marks from the admissions committee could harm your application. This blog post has more advice to guide your decision. Hope this helps!
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