Remy Martin

English Comp 1000C

Professor Roeder
April 2014
The Perils of a High School Music Student Applying to College

I had a very interesting time deciding what college I wanted to go to and what to
study. Choices such as this arent that is easy for everyone, and a considerable amount of
reasoning has to come into play to make the correct decision. The college decision making
process in particular, is mind numbing because so many factors have to be considered all at
once. One must consider their families financial stability, what the status of the current
economy is, and what will provide them with the best possible outcome for the future. Often
times in high school, students that are involved in the arts having a true passion for it, have a
greater pressure upon them to make a decision. The choice between studying music and
studying something more financially practical, like medicine or law, is so difficult to come
to terms with. With additional pressure from concerned family members fearing the
uncertainty of the future, people tend to suppress their own desires to pursue whats
practical. Although many factors such as socio-economic status, finances, and pressure
from both family and friends come into play for all students, I feel that high school music
students in particularly impacted. One of the major concerns in the mind of a high school
music student intending to go to college is the impact of financial needs.

According to the Maguire Association and Fast Web a group of high school seniors
were surveyed on their college decision process in 2010. From this survey major insight into
the college decision process was obtained. The (CDIS) College Decision Impact Survey
showed the economy had a huge influence on their high school students decisions. Of the
many different concerns that high school seniors had, it seemed that quality, financial aid,
private or public study, and economic status were the ones that weighed the most heavily
according to the study. The process in which one decides on their future is difficult all in
itself, but that worry multiplies once you factor in the harsh realities of life.

Studies by the Maguire Association and Fast Web showed that depth of curriculum
outline, quality of faculty, the percent of students employed after graduating, and student-to-
faculty ratios were very important. Also, the amount of financial aid provided from each
school impacted decisions greatly. Over one third of the seniors surveyed (37 percent) that
stated they would attend a private institution said that their decision would be based on the
ratio of loans offered to financial aid. A majority of the time, schools that have a sole focus
on music dont have hefty financial aid packages. Also there seemed to be a huge concern
with the decision to attend a private institution with the notion of getting a better well
rounded education. Lastly, one of the biggest concerns of high school seniors that
participated in this 2010 survey was the economic status of their homes. The survey stated
that two thirds of seniors said that their familys economic concerns greatly or somewhat
influenced where they were applying to. Also, one in 5 stated that their parent had just lost a
job in the recession. With these kinds of pressures surrounding them it is difficult to pursue
an unsure path in regard to an education. When it comes down to having a passion for music
while facing reality, it is difficult to walk by faith when hard hitting facts are presented. In
many cases, including my own, a career in music wasnt pursued; due to some of the very
same concerns.
From first-hand experience and conversation back in 2012 with my musical peers, we
all struggled with the right choice for college. Some of us decided to pursue other passions,
like medical school or accounting, and others stepped out on a limb and went for their
dreams. Following up now in 2014, some of us have made it, and some have not. In this
world and in this economy one has to be a diligent worker to succeed. The recipe for success
was and is a good work ethic, resiliency, strength, organization, and time management skills.
Thos of us who had all or most of those qualities have been pushing forward since
graduation, and those of us who did not, have fallen short; both in the musical and practical
worlds.
There are not only very clear statistics shown about the perils of getting into the right
college, but statistic have been provided for musicians that have tried their way in continuing
careers in music. The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that the median pay in 2012 for the
average musician was $23.50 an hour. The statistics also show that you only really need a
high school diploma to do so. A study was conducted on the amount of musician jobs
available in 2012, which totaled 167,460. In the grand scheme this really isnt a lot, so a red
flag may be draw up in the mind of an inquirer. Ultimately, when one is interested in
pursuing a career in music there are many things that would deter them from making that
solid choice. The statistics from the current job market for a musician in comparison to the
statistics of having a stable job, a person would tend to lean toward stability.

As mentioned early, many of my peers in high school, including myself, had a
difficult time deciding what to do for the rest of our lives. After talking on the phone to one
of my close friends Brandon Apoo, I received a much better understanding of his experience
dealing with the very same thing. Brandon is an extremely talented Bassoon and Clarinet
player. In high school he was consistently the section leader, and scored 100s on all of his
musical examinations. When it came time to make a choice on what to study, and ultimately
what to pursue for the rest of his life, Brandon felt very bogged down by the conflict between
what his parents wanted him to do and what he wanted to do. Along with being a talented
musician, he was also the Valedictorian of our graduating class, so he had many
opportunities handed to him. After the college application process ended and the acceptance
letter returns began, Brandon had found out that he had been accepted to Dartmouth in New
Hampshire with a full scholarship. Of course at the time, this seemed like the only logical
choice to make. He would have no financial burdens, he would attend an Ivy League
university, and he would graduate with an amazing degree and an amazingly accredited
school. Although he was unsure of what to do as time got closer and closer to graduation, he
decided to accept Dartmouth and sent in his deposit. Although he had made the better
choice he wasnt happy because he had feared that he would no longer be able to indulge in
his music.
Now two years after that dreaded choice, Brandon is doing well and extremely elated.
Upon arriving to the school he had heard that there was an awesome symphonic orchestra on
campus in which he could audition to be in. He ultimately was accepted and has found a
great balance between practicing his instruments and also practicing his mental instrument. I
myself had had a similar experience.
In high school I was very involved in Performing Arts. I enjoyed participating in my
high schools Concert Choir, Show Choir, Wind Ensemble, any Musicals, and any other
performance I could be involved in. Once I graduated, I settled within myself that I would
most likely have to give up my passion and study what was logical. I decided to attend St.
Johns University to study Toxicology for my Bachelors Degree and possibly continue on to
receive my Masters Degree. Luckily for me, the story brightened in the first week attending
the university. In one of my Chemistry lab classes a complete stranger, but now best friend,
named Adaora randomly asked me if I liked to sing. Instantly my heart and face lit up with
joy and I replied YES I DO. From that moment on, I joined the Voices of Victory Gospel
choir on campus and have loved it. Since then so many door to more musical endeavors have
been opened up.
In the present day, I have been able to balance my musical life and my academic life.
This journey from high school, on though to college has not been easy, but it has provided
me with so many invaluable life lessons, that I would not have received if the journey were
easy. My worst fear in high school was that I would never be able to perform and enjoy what
I do best on the same scale as before, and I am glad that said fear didnt become a reality.
All in all, even though the statistics regarding the current economy, then and now, of
musicians once they have graduated high school proves itself to be on the lower end, that
doesnt have to be the case for everyone. I believe that everyone should do what makes
sense, but they should not throw away what they love to do so. I am grateful that my
particular situation has allowed me to do both, but everyone should pursue their dreams
regardless of what the stats show. Life tends to be based on chance, so one can never know
for certain what the future holds; we can only stand out on faith.
Bibliography
"Five Insights from Our College Decision Impact Survey of High School Seniors
Maguire Associates." Maguire Associates. Maguire Associates, June 2010. Web. 01
May 2014. <http://www.maguireassoc.com/resource-items/bulletin-5-volume-2-
insights-for-a-challenging-economy/>.
Steinberg, Jacques. "Economy Is Growing Factor in College Choices, Poll Finds."
The Choice Economy Is Growing Factor in College Choices Poll Finds Comments.
The New York Times, 23 Mar. 2011. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
<http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/economy-
2/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1>.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Musicians and Singers,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/musicians-and-
singers.htm (visited May 01, 2014).