The Interlochen Advantage: Admission tips from Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University Director of Recruitment Mica Harrison Loosemore discusses the advantages of attending an arts boarding school, the importance of community involvement, and how Interlochen prepares students to excel in competitive programs.
As a high school student, your most important task is to prepare for college—and to do all you can to be the best possible applicant to the program of your dreams.
In a competitive college landscape, it’s difficult to know where to focus your efforts. What really matters to colleges? What classes, extracurriculars, or experiences will set you apart from the crowd?
To help you demystify the college admission process, we sat down with Mica Loosemore, Director of Recruitment at Carnegie Mellon University. Below, Harrison Loosemore shares what Carnegie Mellon is looking for in a student, what you can do to be a stronger applicant, and how arts boarding schools prepare you to thrive in rigorous programs in the arts and beyond.
What are some of the things that Carnegie Mellon University looks for in a prospective student?
Carnegie Mellon University looks for students who are engaged in their communities and passions. Our holistic process pays attention to all parts of the application and how those parts—artistic, academic, and extracurricular—work together to give us a picture of who the student is and who they could be as a member of our community.
From an admissions perspective, what are the advantages of attending a dedicated arts boarding school?
The College of Fine Arts is full of students who show consistent commitment to their craft. Our courses are rigorous and immersive, and successful Tartan students spend much time in and out of the classroom pursuing their artform. Students who come from a dedicated arts boarding school are familiar with this level of artistic commitment, so they typically make an easier transition.
What types of extracurricular programs or experiences stand out on a student’s application?
We like to see that students have been involved in their communities. This can come across in a variety of ways: through long-term participation with a particular club, leadership in student government, or even helping out with family obligations and work. Remember—quantity isn't always better than quality.
What about Interlochen? What sort of weight does Camp or Academy participation carry on an application?
We can count on a certain caliber of work ethic and artistic expectations when we see an applicant who has participated in an Interlochen program. Interlochen students understand what it takes to thrive in a rigorous program, and they look forward to doing the work.
How much weight does a student’s academic record and test scores carry when applying for an arts program?
The artistic portion carries a significant amount of the weight in holistic application consideration. However, we do consider a student's academic record, letters of recommendation, essays, and, if applicable, test scores. A student who has good academic grades shows us that they are well-rounded and able to think critically.
Many students who attend arts boarding schools ultimately decide to major in a field outside the arts, such as engineering or business. Does choosing to attend an arts-focused school (as opposed to say, a math/science magnet) hurt their chances of admission?
Definitely not, as long as they continue to strive for rigorous coursework in academic areas. Educational experiences in artistic environments promote thoughtful inquiry. Arts students learn how to ask questions, approach a problem creatively, and work collaboratively.
What are some things that younger students (like freshmen and sophomores) can do to be a stronger applicant come junior/senior year?
Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you: Make art, practice, perform, and create. Pay attention to how you learn and the types of environments where you thrive. Then, when you begin looking at colleges, you will have a better understanding of the kind of learning experience that will best suit you.
These days, you can "visit" colleges online and attend virtual Q&As with current students even if you can't visit that college in person. Take notes and make sure you "audition" the colleges, too.
