Beyond Grades
Music, sports and the activities you care about can add a second piece to your application. Here's what each path involves and when it happens.
Not a shortcut
You still apply to each college the regular way. These paths add a second piece on top: an audition, a recording, a coach's support or an arts supplement.
Three kinds of pathways
Music
Two gates: the regular application plus an audition or recording.
Sports
Coaches can support your admission, and NCAA rules set when they can contact you.
Activities colleges value
Counts inside your application. Depth and impact matter more than the number of activities.
Explore pathways
Oboe
Major in music, double-degree, or keep playing alongside another major.
Popular instruments
Violin, piano, cello, flute, trumpet, guitar and more: audition for a music school, or send an arts supplement alongside another major.
Voice
Classical, jazz and musical theater auditions each follow their own calendar.
Popular sports
Basketball, soccer, football, baseball, softball, volleyball, lacrosse and more: what each level of college sports asks of you, and when.
Research
Shows up in your activities, and some colleges accept a research supplement.
Academic competitions
Math, science and other contests listed as activities and awards.
Jobs & family responsibilities
A job or caring for family counts as an activity.
Rules change every year. Each pathway page links to the official pages it draws on, with the date they were last checked. When a college's own page says something different, the college's page wins.