I remember that day very well. I ran to my room and grabbed my precious oboe and sped off to my refuge where I play every day. I played until I could not play anymore because of the stress and anxiety with which I was grappling. My mother had just told me that our family business was in great difficulty, and that our financial situation was grim. She had previously indicated that troubles were mounting but this time was different,...

All Eastman students have the opportunity to take a wide range of courses at the University of Rochester and in Eastman’s Humanities Department. Tell us about a non-musical class that you have particularly enjoyed during your high school studies. What courses outside of music would you like to take in college and why? One of the classes in high school that I truly enjoyed is French. Currently, I am in French Language AP, and I started learning French when...

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is my favorite American orchestra. I love their sound, and I admire their oboe players. Therefore, I jumped at the chance to apply to Northwestern when I found out that two of the CSO oboe players, Michael Henoch and Scott Hostetler, are teaching there! I would very much love to study with these great players, and I am very thankful that they teach at such a great and well-known institution, Bienen School of Music. Although I...

Describe your educational and professional goals and tell us your specific reasons for choosing to apply to NEC as you pursue these goals. As a child, I was always fascinated with the sound of the oboe. I started out playing clarinet, and after a couple years, I picked up the oboe once I knew how to read notes and music. At this time, my affinity for the oboe was casual. Serious, but casual. I was more interested in science and...

According to Dr. Francis Collins, head of the Human Genome Project, scientists will soon be able to perform genetic testing to determine an individual’s likelihood of developing 25 major diseases such as cancer, arterial sclerosis, and diabetes. Similar in-vitro testing will be available as well, permitting parents to know the probability of debilitating—as well as “undesirable”—traits in fertilized eggs before they are implanted in the womb. What are the arguments against making such information widely available? Do you...

Option 1: Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. (500 words) In Elementary school I had a best friend, Sebastian, my partner in crime, and we joked around in band and attended each others' parties. We were very close, and I enjoyed biking and sitting with him at the lunch table, essentially feeling the joy of a best friend that is so dear to elementary hearts. Unfortunately, this friendship...

My essays were very eclectic since different schools and scholarships asked for different things. Generally they want to know why you want to do what you want to do, but some essays delve deeper into finding what makes you tick such as asking about struggles you overcame or your family life or background.

I did not know that NYU was not a very good music school. If one wants to double major at NYU, they do not have a really great program there. People are often overloaded on classes, they do not get the classes they want or need, nor do they have enough time during the school year to finish their credits, forcing them to...

I did use a private counselor, and the thing he helped me with most was my essay. I would constantly bring in drafts,...

I did three interviews, one on the phone with the University of Rochester, and two live interviews with Harvard and Princeton. These interviews were good experiences, because I learned that...

Summers are best used for jobs and personal development. For musicians, summer festivals are imperative as they make you meet new people, some of whom you will deal...

I ultimately chose my school because out of all my acceptances, NYU had given me the most aid. Additionally, the teacher I...