Klarinet Archive - Posting 000005.txt from 1997/04

From: Bryan Clark <clark@-----.US>
Subj: Re: Graduate School and the GRE
Date: Tue, 1 Apr 1997 11:17:04 -0500

>Here's an unusual question:
>
>I'm planning to audition for a Master's degree in clarinet performance.
>Most of my friends who are applying to grad school for other fields (ie.
>musicology, ethnomusicology, library science, etc.) are caught up in the
>GRE hype. Here's what I'm wondering. Obviously, the GRE is not nearly as
>important as the audition is for a performance degree (nor is it even
>required at most institutions). But if I write it (the general one as well
>as the music-specific one) will it increase my chances for _funding_? Will
>the selection committee even care? Basically, is it worth it to pay that
>extra money to take two exams that aren't even necessary?
>To tell you the truth, I'm so worried about grad school that I'll take
>every chance I can get to impress them!!
>But I guess the obvious bottom line is: I'm applying for PERFORMANCE, so
>if I can't play worth crap, then scoring in the 99th percentile in the GRE
>isn't going to make any difference in the world....but what if I don't
>play like crap?
>
>.........................................................................
>Steven Belanger "Life without music is unthinkable,
>Queen's University Music without life is academic.
>Kingston, Canada That is why my contact with music is a
>3sdb4@-----." - Leonard Bernstein, 1967
>.........................................................................

Steven:

Things may be different in Canada but universities in the Midwest are
commonly demanding GRE scores to be on file for all graduate degree
candidates. When my wife entered a masters program in flute performance a
certain minimum GRE score was required for her to obtain the fee waiver and
assistanceship. The University of Missouri, where I am currently working
on a masters in education administration, requires all graduate students to
have fairly current scores on file in the graduate dean's office and some
departments use the scores in the process of screening applicants.

I would recommend taking the general test. It is not horribly difficult.
The subject test is not likely to be required for admission but if it is,
you probably could take it later. I would not take both tests in the same
day. I have heard the music subject test is a bear.

--My 2 cents worth

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Bryan Clark
Band Director

clark@-----.us
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