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In a discussion with a friend who interviews prospective students for an Ivy League school, he mentioned that their Band/Orchestra directors often contacted the admissions department on behalf of prospective students. While they couldn’t get the “village idiot” into the school, he claimed that their recommendation could be critical. “If the orchestra really needs a French Horn player, an academically competitive student who meets that need is likely to get in.”

Curious: While I know that Meadows recruits performers, does the SMU Band recruit and/or have any input on admissions?

Good question - not aware as to whether any active recruiting goes on or if they have, or even attempt to exercise, any influence over admission decisions.

Here's a link to the SMU Band website I found that references requirements for admission, membership, etc. along with scholarship opportunities.

http://people.smu.edu/band/general_info.html

It's happened before but don't get the impression that SMU puts recruiting to bands talent anywhere on their agenda

May have happened once or twice for a reallllllllly good twirler on the wait-list...

Gotta love a good twirler

I don't believe the band has or ever had any pull with admissions, except as mentioned possibly for the doll.

Is the Ivy recruiting for its orchestra and music school or just for a position in the marching band?

I was recruited my freshman year to play cello in the orchestra but I never heard of anyone being recruited out of high school for a band position. Statler?

But there is always room for cello.

The Mustang Band works with the admissions department to recruit students to the band who have already been admitted to school and were in high school band. Don't know if they ever try to influence getting a prospective player into school, though. Finding money for scholarships is always a big issue.

Back when Ira Terrell was in school his brother Michael was in the band. I think that there might have been a tie in as part of Ira's recruitment to SMU.

mrydel wrote:But there is always room for cello.

More cowbell!

tristatecoog wrote:Is the Ivy recruiting for its orchestra and music school or just for a position in the marching band?

From the band's perspective, I interpreted his comments to mean that a "competitive candidate" who played in the band would have a better chance of getting admitted. Non-competitive candidates are not getting admitted.

BTW - It is amazing to me how competitive Ivy League admissions has become. With his GPA, SAT scores, and extracurricular activities, he should not have to worry.

http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2013/03/college-admits-2029-5-8-percent-of-applicants/

If it's Ivy or bust, go for Cornell or Penn (non-Wharton). Otherwise, visit Dartmouth and give that a whirl. I heard of someone that was #1 in a big suburban Dallas school with high SATs go to Dartmouth. The candidate didn't have a ton of great leadership, which is highly important at the best of the best and for SMU President's Endowed leadership scholarships, but is going Big Green. Gotta have stats too.

Regarding test scores, 2,029 were admitted to Harvard's 2014 entering class. More than 14,400 in the applicant pool scored 700 or above on the SAT critical reading test; 17,400 scored 700 or above on the SAT math test; 14,900 scored 700 or higher on the SAT writing test; and 3,400 were ranked first in their high school classes.