A good music tape may enhance the chance of admission (e.g., at a school where there is a need for a particular instrument to fill a slot on the orchestra). But could a music CD that is rated average or worse by the music department actually harm an applicant's chances of admission?

Typically, if your application blows your own horn as a musician, but the relevant faculty members at your top-choice colleges have to hold their hands over their ears as they listen to the CD you submit, then your music “hook” will quickly unfurl. You may be admitted for other qualities beyond your musical prowess, but if musical potential was keeping you in the running, then a mediocre or bad submission could knock you out of it.

Only very qualified musicians should include an optional CD with application materials, but sometimes it’s hard to gauge what “qualified” really means. Students considered outstanding by their music teachers may not be able to hold their own against musicians from different parts of the country. Still, if your instructor is encouraging about your abilities, take a chance and submit your CD.

Students using the Common Application can check the Requirements Grid to see which colleges accept the optional Common App Arts Supplement.  To access the Arts Supplement, you must first register for the Common App and enter your colleges under My Colleges. Then you can click on the Future Plans link for each college and fill out the information requested. If the college accepts the Arts Supplement, you will be asked on the Future Plans pane whether you intend to fill it out. The Future Plans pane will also provide important information about deadlines for these submissions. Some colleges require you to submit an Arts Supplement BEFORE you can submit the main application, for example.

The Arts Supplement can also be printed out and submitted by mail to those institutions accepting it.

Note that colleges sometimes have their own forms for indicating interest in the arts. And sometimes a college will accept a mailed Common App Arts Supplement even if it's NOT indicated on the Requirements Grid. If you are interested in submitting an Arts Supplement in such a case, you should check the individual college website for guidance, and if it's not clear, call admissions.

When sending in any sort of unsolicited audio/visual materials (CD, slides, etc.), it’s wise to take the time to ask your colleges how these submissions will be handled. Some colleges have very specific policies about when and where to send them and about how they will be evaluated. At other schools, the protocol is much looser, and supplementary materials may gather dust on forgotten shelves.

If the admission office cannot guarantee that your CD will actually be heard by a music professor, you might be wise to mail it directly to a prof yourself. Some students have had very favorable results with this approach. Begin by using a college’s website or catalogue to identify the best faculty match (i.e., the person who teaches classes relevant to your talents and interests). Next, send an e-mail to that prof (again, use the website for addresses or contact the admission office) and ask if he or she would be willing to evaluate your CD. If you get the green light, send the CD, along with a brief note asking this prof to put in a good word for you with admission officials if your work passes muster.

Make sure your CD is clearly marked with your name, school, and a description of what it includes.

Don’t expect to get it back (but if you send a stamped, addressed mailing envelope, you probably will).

Don’t worry about bothering professors with your request, as long as you ask in advance (and nicely).

Remember, most teachers are eager to identify students with talent and interest in their field and are happy to see them show up in September.

With thanks to College Confidential

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