Apply to College: What Makes a Great College Application Essay?

A girl sits at a desk thinking about what to write.
While it’s crucial to know the basic requirements for both the Common Application and school-specific essays, it’s the elements of your writing that tell your story, that hit a funny bone or play on an emotional note, making your essay stand out. In all my years of consulting students on creating an effective and eye-catching essay, believe me when I say: Personality matters. 

Understanding the Lingo of College Admissions

Our goal at Inside Music Schools is to help students and parents navigate the college admissions process successfully. A large part of this is gaining an understanding of common words and phrases you might come across on a website or hear from admissions counselors. So, we’ve compiled a glossary of some of the most common terms.

Rehearsal Techniques Auditioning for Juilliard Taught Me

Dustin Kaufman plays the drums.
I’ll never forget walking into my first cafe in New York City. Coming from Texas, everything felt like it was at lightning speed. I remember standing in the corner, my nerves on edge, waiting for a safe moment to enter the chaos. Over the next few days I would be auditioning at The New School, Manhattan School of Music, and The Juilliard School.

Pursuing Passion: Mila Mincy’s Path to USC as a Music Major

Mila Mincy playing guitar
For Mila Mincy, even at 8 years old, singing “just felt right.” With a firm resolve that music was her true means of self-expression and the encouragement of her extraordinary parents, Mila vigorously pursued her passion. She immersed herself in a variety of styles and took advantage of every opportunity inside and outside of the classroom. Ultimately, it was pop music and vocal performance that captured her focus. Next stop: turning that passion into a music career.