How Musicology courses can help students in college admissions & job interviews

As universities across the world tout record application numbers and record-low admissions rates, college admissions seem to get more and more competitive. That means more and more is expected of students looking to gain admission to the most competitive colleges and universities.

With so many students earning excellent GPAs and SAT scores, it can be difficult for admissions officers and interviewers to distinguish between one elite candidate and another.

One of the primary ways candidates stand out among an elite pack is through their extracurricular activities lists. When building your activities list, keep in mind that “activities” means more than school clubs and organizations. Activities can include a prolonged music training program, a job outside of school or a passion project you’ve been working on independently.

Transcripts are records of your time spent in school; the activities lists are records of your time spent outside of school. If you’ve done something meaningful outside of school hours—for your own personal development or for others—then you should consider including it in your activities list.

So, how do you build an activities list that will stand out?

THE LONGER, THE BETTER

Admissions officers are not impressed that you spent three hours one week volunteering at a nearby NGO. They are also not moved by the fact that you attended monthly one-hour meetings for your school’s video game club.

Of course, you should volunteer, even if it does not demand a significant time commitment. And yes, attend those monthly meetings. Depending on how much you’ve done outside of school, you might want to include one-time volunteer work or minor engagement with a school organization, but neither of these should be at the top of your list.

Admissions officers are impressed with sustained engagement. Your activities list should communicate passion and commitment. What is most important is that you list activities that demand several years or months of commitment, and that you have kept up with that commitment for the long haul—the longer, the better.

Learned the Guitar and finished all your Guitar grades for five or more years? Get credit for all that work here. It is going to take commitment and passion to be a meaningful contributor to a university community. By demonstrating long-term commitment to activities you are passionate for, you show admissions officers that you’re capable of bringing that energy to their university.

Take Musicology advantage: Musicology, school of music & performing arts offers a wide variety of courses, each offering you up to 7 to 10 years of proper, graded music training. A large number of Musicology students have completed 7 to 10 years music training and built up a solid extracurricular profile. Apart from grade certificates, our students are also awarded with various events certificates, concert certificates, international exams certificates, LORs and work experience letters. For more information, visit www.musicology.net.in and www.musicologypro.in

BRING OUT THE LEADER IN YOU

Most universities put a premium on leadership. In addition to demonstrating that you are committed and passionate, you need to show that you are capable of leading a group and of bringing people together to accomplish an important task.

This means being president of a club, captain of a team or president of your music school club. It can also means taking initiative by starting a club or group that wasn’t there before you arrived.

It is important that you gain recognition for this work, too. Make sure to complete a course, task or project and get complete certification of the same.

Take Musicology advantage: Musicology students have been working in different groups, bands and music clubs at different occasions. Students have also conducted workshops and volunteered for Musicology events. Musicology issues certificates for all such activities. Musicology also offers short term, professional and vocational courses. These courses are designed for developing ‘creative thinking’, ‘critical analysis and ‘leadership skills’ in students. These courses focus on advanced applications in music and provide the students an opportunity to get a professional edge in the area of their musical interest. For more information, visit www.musicology.net.in and www.musicologypro.in

WORK EXPERIENCE

For someone with an excellent extracurricular profile, having some work experience will be a massive advantage. You can work part time or join a summer job in the area of your interest. It is important that you gain recognition and credit for this work.

Take Musicology advantage: Musicology students who have completed Grade 5 & above may apply for a teachers’ training program. After successfully completing the program, they can start working as a part time instructor (Trainee) at one or more Musicology branches. After completing their teaching term, they receive a work experience letter from our associate private limited company and / or Trust. Several Musicology students have worked as part time instructors at Musicology and this work experience has added a significant value to their profile or CVs. For more information, visit www.musicology.net.in and www.musicologypro.in

WHAT'S YOUR STORY?

The best activities lists are ‘specific and storied’ That is, your activities list needs to be detailed, with strong action verbs. Your activities list needs to give narrative shape to you as an accomplished individual with a world of potential.

Who are you? That’s what admissions officers want to know. Your friends and family might know your essential self, independent of your actions today or yesterday. But admissions officers will only know you by how you’ve spent your time.

In order to be specific and storied, focus on describing your activities with strong action verbs.

Take these descriptions of the same activity. Which is better?

President, Musicology Master Badge Club

Held weekly meetings to discuss and practice music.

President, Musicology Master Badge Club

Oversaw weekly meetings to develop strategies; coordinated practices of ten to fifteen members to hone skills.

The first tells it like it is, but the second shows us much more. Why is the second stronger? “Oversaw” implies action and direction, whereas “held” feels more passive. “Coordinated” reveals an act that the first one conceals: this student had to make announcements, recruit new club members, and follow up with the existing members, but all that work gets lost in the vague description of the first listing. “Hone skills” digs into the purpose of these meetings, whereas “discuss” fails to reveal that purpose.

In order to tell the admissions committee who you are, use action verbs to show them what you’ve done.

I hope you’ll find this article helpful. Feel free to send me your questions or suggestions.

For more information, visit www.musicology.net.in | www.musicologypro.in | www.anuragdixit.in