This year my CMPI fellow is a junior, and we are doing what most CMPI sophomores and juniors are doing: coming up with a list of schools that might be the right fit for her at the college level. We’ve really struggled to determine where she might fit, in part because her level keeps changing, and because many of the schools we would normally look at are in the process of transitioning teachers over the next few years.
As we are making progress, I’ve been noting down some of the strategies that have been effective. Here are some things that have helped in our research process.
Ask the right people for advice.
It’s an obvious suggestion, but one that sometimes gets forgotten – ask professional musicians for their opinions. So, who are the so-called “right” people? Obviously, you should start with the private teacher. If your teacher has had recent graduates, they will likely know exactly what schools to suggest. If your teacher does not routinely prepare students for college admissions, it might be a good idea to talk to your CMPI navigator for extra help. Even the most experienced teachers may not know every school, teacher, and program, and it may be helpful to ask others.
Some other “right” people might include chamber music coaches, orchestra conductors, mentors, and other music professionals you interact with. Of course, your student navigator and other folks at CMPI can also help you work through this process.
Another option is to play for a college-level teacher and ask for feedback. It can be problematic if you play for someone before you are ready, though, so be careful with this option. First impressions matter!
Follow the experiences of your peers.
Over the years, we have watched several older students go through the college audition process, including students from CMPI and area precollege programs. We’ve also followed the journeys of older students from summer programs my children have attended. Other options for peers to follow include friends in orchestra or those who have participated in honors programs, like district or all-state ensembles.
There is absolutely no replacement for a discussion with a peer who is at a similar level and has gone through the process before you. Most are usually very open about where they applied, which prescreens they passed, and which schools they were accepted to. This allows you to determine your likely success at similar schools.
Use summer programs as a gauge.
Getting into summer programs is like getting into colleges. The programs that accept a student can help to determine how competitive a musician is. For example, if you apply to a wide range of summer programs and you only get accepted at non-competitive programs, that gives you a good idea what college-level programs would be a good fit. On the other hand, if you are being accepted to higher level programs with scholarships, you may have success with higher level colleges and conservatories.
Do your research (also known as musical stalking).
Even if you know the general level of a school, you may still be unsure of the exact level of students who are currently there. Some of the best ways to determine this level include finding out what students are currently there and watching them perform. You may even be able to find videos of them at your child’s exact age, which can help you compare your child’s level to them. Here are some ideas:
- Visit the school and watch a studio class or studio recital.
- Watch the livestream or recorded video for group, studio, or individual recitals at a school.
- Google students currently at the school and watch their current and precollege videos. Instagram practice accounts often give you a good idea of level. Sometimes you can even find their prescreen videos online!
- Watch the student orchestra or chamber ensembles, either in person or online.
Cast a wide net.
All fellows have a copy of the book College Prep for Musicians, which includes an entire section on determining what level a student is at and then calculating how many higher, middle, and lower tier programs to apply to. Make sure you choose a wide range of schools. That reach school may not actually be a reach, whereas that safety school may be a perfect fit!
Level is not everything.
Obviously, there is more to choosing a school than just the level. You want to also consider whether the teacher is a good fit, whether the environment is what you are looking for, whether the curriculum is appropriate (especially for double majors), whether the school aligns with career goals, and of course costs and scholarships. These may be just as important – if not more important – than the playing level of the other students.
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