Instruments for success: Philadelphia cohort

College Preparedness and Career Pathways

Meets: Wednesdays 4:30 - 6:30 PM
Fall Dates: February 7 through May 1 (No class on March 26 and April 10) Location: Temple University Center City Campus, 1515 Market Street, Philadelphia

Spring Application Due Date: February 14

 

The college application process can often be tricky and intimidating, but we can make it easier for you! Instruments for Success is an 11-week after-school program covering every aspect of the college search, admissions, and audition process. Instruments for Success is led by Project 440’s college expert, who has more has more than 40 years of experience in college search and selection and has worked as a college admissions counselor, a school counselor, and a school psychologist.

Each semester three guest speakers whose careers are either in or connected to the field of music discuss their career paths with the students.

Guest speakers scheduled for the spring include Valerie V. Gay, a performer and social entrepreneur who is the deputy director for audience engagement and chief experience officer at the Barnes Foundation. Next up on March 20, Joseph Conyers, Project 440’s Founder and Principal Bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Yumi Kendall, assistant principal cello, will share their education and career paths and discuss their podcast, Tacet No More. Chandra Williams, VP at Chase, will also present a workshop on Budgeting, Credit, and Saving.

In this course, students learn about:

  • Selecting schools that are the right “fit” for their goals and interests

  • Writing a compelling college essay

  • Preparing for auditions and interviews

  • Navigating the world of financial aid, grants and scholarships

  • An introduction to financial literacy

  • How to approach the SAT and ACT

  • Career paths both in and connected to the field of music

Participation is limited to 30 students. Students who meet attendance and participation requirements are eligible to receive a stipend of up to $200!

 

Student Testimonials


"Project 440 has taught me an abundance of crucial information - including the skills I will need to survive as a musician in the 21st century, how to navigate my way through the college application and audition process and how diverse a career in classical music can be."

- Marquise M., Instruments for Success Graduate

"As the program is coming to a close I would like to say thank you for offering me this opportunity. I never knew that learning about Colleges could be this vigorous, yet humorous."

- Jonathan M., Instruments for Success Graduate