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HoH Video
of the Week
College Diversity
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With Rachel Korn , former admissions officer at the University of Pennsylvania.
Prepare Supplemental Material
HEAD Start
Some colleges offer you the opportunity to send in music CDs or art slides if these are talents of yours. Think about sending in this material if you are truly outstanding in your field.

A "blue-chip" music or art skill is like athletic ability - it's talent that cannot be taught, to an extent. Colleges want to know if you're at this level, and students with strong talent may benefit in the admissions process.

HEAD Lines
Determine whether a college welcomes this material, and if so, where and how you send it to them. Here are some tips:
  • Be realistic: If you're third violin in your high school orchestra, you probably don't need to send a CD. But if you're first violin in your state youth orchestra, they'll want to hear you play.

  • Follow instructions exactly. Send music of different genres and minimal lengths with you as a soloist, or send varied art slides in the plastic jacket as they request.

  • Attach an explanatory letter to the item describing your submission and all your professional training.

  • Colleges rarely watch anything, so unless you have a dance or athletic submission that they want to see specifically, send just a CD or slides.
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From Other HEADS
SINCE I WANTED TO MAJOR IN DANCE IN COLLEGE, I attended summer dance programs just about every summer in high school. Auditioning for summer programs really helped me prepare for auditions for colleges. Noting what you've performed on résumés, and what choreographers you've worked with, is also very important.

-- JENNIFER KEYS
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY


AS SOMEONE WHO WORKED IN THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE as a student, I can say that extracurricular activities play a huge part in acceptance. Obviously, if you are a straight-A student, chances are good, but if you are an average student, extracurriculars help a lot. Showing that you can multitask, take the lead, and be involved means a lot to admissions officers.

-- ALLISON GRECO
YARDLEY, NEW JERSEY



Web Resources
Applying to Art School? Click here for advice on putting together your portfolio, and more: www.artschools.com/articles/portfolio/


HoH Tip
If you plan to major in music, theatre, or dance, schools may well expect you to audition. Find out what a typical audition entails, and practice, practice, practice. Try to choose pieces that show off your talents (and won't be the same ones everyone else uses).
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