Step One: Let’s get the basics of college applications figured out.

If you plan to go to college at all, you’ll need to start prepping before you get there, whether you want to be a music major or not.

First thing’s first: have you started the common application basics?

1. Have you taken the ACTs? If not, can you schedule it before the Fall of your senior year? Can you take a prep class if needed?

2. If you’re not a senior yet and your GPA is under a 2.75, can you take summer classes to improve your grades?

3. Have you looked into FASFA and/or scholarships you could qualify for? Do this with your parent/guardian!

   • Check out these resources:

     • FASFA - https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

     • Financial Aid Resources - https://www.collegefortn.org/about-financial-aid/

     • TN Promise - https://www.tn.gov/tnpromise.html

     • UNCF Scholarships (for HBCU primarily) - https://uncf.org/scholarships

     • TN Hope Scholarship - https://www.collegefortn.org/tennessee-hope-scholarship-3/

     • CMFT Scholarships - https://www.cfmt.org/grants-scholarships/scholarships/

     • MLK Scholarship (Rutherford County) - https://www.mlkjrscholarshipfundrc.org/

4. Do you need more volunteer opportunities to put on your college app? Think about volunteering as a Basic Musicianship teacher at W.O. Smith! Talk to Jordan or Allyson.

Choosing schools to apply to can be overwhelming. To give you a place to start, here are some local colleges you likely will want to look at:

• Austin Peay State University - Clarksville, TN - liberal arts & public 4-year college

• Belmont University - Nashville, TN - liberal arts & private 4-year college

• Cumberland University - Lebanon, TN - liberal arts & private 4-year college

• Fisk University - Nashville, TN - liberal arts & private 4-year college

• Lipscomb University - Nashville, TN - liberal arts & private 4-year college

• Middle TN State University - Murfreesboro, TN - liberal arts & public 4-year college

• Nashville State Community College - various locations, TN - liberal arts & 2-year community college

  • This is a great option if you are not quite ready to commit to a 4-year college! Most colleges will accept your NSCC credits towards a 4-year degree.

• Tennessee Tech University - Cookeville, TN - liberal arts & 4-year public college

• Tennessee State University - Nashville, TN - liberal arts & 4-year public college

• Trevecca Nazarene University - Nashville, TN - liberal arts & 4-year private college

• University of Memphis - Memphis, TN - liberal arts & 4-year public college

• University of TN, Knoxville - Knoxville, TN - liberal arts & 4-year public college

• Vanderbilt University - Nashville, TN - liberal arts & private 4-year college

• Volunteer State Community College - Gallatin, TN - liberal arts & 2-year community college

  • This is a great option if you are not quite ready to commit to a 4-year college! Most colleges will accept your VSCC credits towards a 4-year degree.