Preparing For High School Education In Usa

I can somewhat relate to this..will write more later. Take this with a heaping tablespoon of salt.

Many years ago a girl got into Cal Berkley with avg( B?) academics .

The story goes that she wrote an essay detailing how she achieved proficiency in the Indian classical dance art form -Bharatanatyam,..the years of grueling hard work and discipline needed for it and that supposedly clinched the deal.

The fever of arangetrams or entry into stage has been raging since then in the US. We now have Vocal and Mridangam Arangetrams which were never heard of.

On an average 300 arangetrams happen in the bay area alone in the peak season. No longer do u need 10 -12 yrs of rigorous training ..u can get an arangetram done for ur kid in 3 yrs or less . Bottom line its no longer a distinguishing trait. Your application will not stand out.

As my friend says (after spending $50,000 on it) ...no one cares a rats ass about it Pardon the language.

Pursue an art form only for the joy of it…or anything for that matter..robotics ,science, math ..do it because u want to do it ,...because it challenges u and takes u to the next level. Dont do it because it will make ur application stand out…or because colleges expect it . No one can predict these things… . The disappointment that comes when u realize that the years you spent in pursuing something u never really cared for much didnt really matter in the long run is just not worth it.

 

That's true, it is far too common to have the same types of extracurricular activities in college essays, and this is not just for Indian students. I might confuse you even more, but its not about the content, but rather they way the HS student conveys their experience. It's not about the big words or the flashy places the student has gone, but the confidence in how they portray that aspect about themselves, and how it shapes them into the applicant they want in their school. It is a quality of taking a generally innocuous event, and bringing forth a perspective that showcases the student's personality and strengths. (i.e. waiting in the backstage before a bharatnatyam performance. describing the energy around and in the person; watching a person select an used piece of clothing, describing one's humility and understanding that material wealth is less important than making a positive impact in someone's life)

It's easy to write an essay about someone else, but when writing about oneself, we get a bit bashful and understate our achievements and unintentionally use self-derogatory humor to make it more comfortable for oneself. The college essay is not a place for that, and requires confidence. Make your child practice writing about themselves, and about what they have done for the community. It is a great skill that will make them excel even beyond college.

 

No clue. Unlike western classical ..where there is a more formalized and recognized path (violin..first chair /second chair in a reputed orchestra or levels in piano..) there isnt one for indian art form.
The abuse of arangetram term has left some really talented kids short changed. But it is what it is...if I do think of something will post in this thread.

PS: I still feel kids should pursue music seriously...the discipline and precision of thinking needed hones their young minds in ways we never imagined.

 

Teach. Children who completed the arangetram are technically allowed to teach. Let them choreograph for others or arrange a musical group, so show that they are actually utilizing their skills.

Bal Vikas? Language classes? I have seen some kids become mentors or teaching assistants that support younger children.

 

10 years ago, Youtube was baby, and having a youtube channel to showcase your talents would never have cross my mind, but that's an awesome idea.