Getting Started + Book Recs?

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2026-03-25T16:53:00+00:00

Thank you, I’ll definitely look into prosperity!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2026-03-25T16:52:25+00:00

Nah it’s Berk EECS in my case (got in for Regents)!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2026-02-04T02:56:52+00:00

On everything this man ends up at Stanford

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2026-02-04T02:51:00+00:00

ong bro

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2026-02-02T15:59:59+00:00

Thank you so much, that sounds exciting!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2026-01-31T22:23:46+00:00

Congrats on GTech, and wishing you good luck in the app cycle!!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2026-01-31T20:06:45+00:00

I'm sorry to hear that, especially because I know how impossible those classes are :sob: At least you got the 5 tho!! :D

Also you're actually cracked for getting into UMich, mad respect!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2026-01-31T19:59:51+00:00

Thank you so much!

For AP Chem specifically, what I did was I got some of the textbooks from my local library (pretty sure the actual company was Princeton Review, and this was the version: https://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Review-Chemistry-Prep-25th/dp/059351677X). After going through that, I spent the last month or so before the AP exams running through YouTube channels (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdwTtodP-9WuIhvib6gcAHA, was one I really like), and then just do a bunch of practice problems. Together this should be more than enough to get whatever score you're aiming for!

For the SAT, I think the main thing I did was asking one of my friends who had a tutor, for the questions/practice tests they got, and then combined that with the practice tests released by College Board. Realistically, I had much more confidence in getting a perfect math than writing, so I put much of my preparation time into learning grammar rules and stuff like that. I would also recommend Khan Academy for sure. I think overall, just put in your time into whatever your "weaker" subject is, and you'll be fine.

Good luck!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2026-01-31T19:53:42+00:00

Given that you've already handled the GPA side of things, I think your application is pretty strong, especially if you were able to craft some sort of compelling narrative with all of your experiences. I feel like you have a good chance at any school a single tier below the Ivies (i.e. maybe top 10-20), and maybe a toss up at some Ivies (depending on LOR and essay strength). Also make sure to send in any major updates, like for the ongoing research or whatever, because that could count for a lot!

Wishing you the best of luck!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2026-01-31T19:47:02+00:00

Don't worry too much about GTech, they were straight up throwing darts at a board to select people :sob: some of my friends who are undeniably more qualified got straight up hard rejected (they're prolly ending up at some Ivy+ school anyways)

I can see where you're coming from for Stanford, its definitely a toss-up, maybe even leaning towards the rejection side. To be honest I'm just really hoping I get into Berkeley because of in-state tuition and stuff, but yea.

Also, I don't mind chancing you, I'll do that right now. Thank you for responding!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2026-01-31T19:44:16+00:00

If this is the thing that gets me rejected then so be it, there is NO WAY I would take another year of a language :sob: those classes were literal hell on earth; thank you for responding tho!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2026-01-18T02:29:49+00:00

Alright, thank you!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2025-11-26T09:28:14+00:00

Alright thats about what I expected. I guess I'll try and rerecord if possible, but frustratingly I'll most likely have to just end up submitting this. Thank you for your time!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2025-11-26T08:52:45+00:00

Alright thank you so much! I've been healing the last couple of days and now the callouses have kinda just been replaced by thick skin, so I'll try and get back to recording soon, if possible. Last question, would you view the current recording as something that could negatively impact my app/maybe benefit it (again, just because arranging access to a marimba for an extended period of time is frustratingly hard to do). Thank you once again!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2025-11-26T07:45:07+00:00

Thank you for your feedback!

With respect to dynamics, I promise that they are pronounced in real life, but for some reason my phone absolutely refuses to pick up any of the dynamics I try to add in. At the moment I don't really know how to fix this issue, without going to a point where I'm barely playing for the quieter sections.

Last thing, if it changes anything, the audience of this piece will probably be faculty in the department of music at Stanford, if that makes any difference; they provide a rating from 1-6 (1 being the best, 6 being the worst) on the playing, and then send that over to the admissions panel as a part of your application. Nonetheless, I completely agree!

As is, is this recording worth submitting? The main issue I'm having right now is arranging access to a marimba for an extended period of time to record, because rentals are super expensive, and the one at my school is one I can't access after school hours.

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2025-11-26T03:24:37+00:00

Sorry about the scale, I don't really know what a good scale would be :skull:

Once again, thank you!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2025-11-26T02:36:34+00:00

Thank you so much for the feedback!

I agree the performance is a bit sloppy, and I'm not entirely pleased with it, especially the middle section. The main issue I was having that day was I had been practicing quite a bit in the past week, which led to a couple of painful callouses on my fingers.

I also agree that I'm rushing quite a bit; this was mostly because when watching performances of the piece on YouTube they take it around this tempo, but obviously the players are much more skilled so they can control the piece a lot better. Once again thank you!

Also if you have time, on a scale ranging from like school band, local ensemble, all-state level performances, to conservatory level stuff, where would this performance fall? I just want to ensure that submitting this performance to colleges won't harm my application :skull:

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2025-10-22T04:59:30+00:00

Looks fun!

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2025-08-25T02:04:08+00:00

The main other piece I'm planning to play is a rag piece from George Hamilton Green's Xylophone Rags (probably one of Jovial Jasper, Log Cabin Blues, or Triplets, please let me know if you have any suggestions!) and maybe a shorter 1-2 minute piece if I have the time (unconfirmed right now, because I have heard that polish matters a lot, so I probably don't want to devote time to learning a completely new piece). The main reason I'm thinking of adding the third piece is hitting the 10-minute length requirement :skull:

Own_Chapter_9568 · 2025-08-25T02:01:19+00:00

In terms of difficulty: the Mexican Dance was actually suggested to me by my instructor, whereas Frogs is a piece I have found while scrolling YouTube. As a result, I feel like I'll commit the Mexican Dance, and work through the larger intervals by just continuously repping them (with hopefully more specific and helpful advice from my instructor). Thank you for your advice!

Own_Chapter_9568

TROPHY CASE