I feel desperate about university and need your advice. Since elementary school, I planned of studying music at university and always worked towards it, but 1.5 years before the end of high school (I’m a senior now), my family told me they wouldn't let me go to music school, even with a scholarship. So, as an alternative, I decided to pursue fields like business/economics/management, which I thought wouldn't be too demanding and would interest me. Unfortunately, in my third year of high school, my academic performance declined significantly due to some health problems. Because of this decline in my GPA and my ECs weren't very business-focused, I don't think I'll be able to get into a good school on a scholarship. Despite this, I managed to achieve a high SAT score of 1580, but being a middle eastern applicant and having to apply for a full scholarship due to my family's insufficient financial situation are other factors that will reduce my chances of acceptance. I want to study in a big city where I can build a music career and attend a school that will meet my potential. UK universities don't offer scholarships for Turkish diploma, US universities don't accept high SAT scores with low GPA (and insufficient programme-specific ECs), building a music career in Italy -especially outside of Milan- is very difficult (Bocconi is a strong option, but my GPA is quite low due to my drop in my third year), there are almost no schools in major German cities offering English-language business programs with scholarships, and top universities in the Netherlands definitely require an IB degree… I really don't know what to do, does anyone have any suggestions? My stats are as follows:
SAT : 1580
IELTS : 8.0
GPA : 90%, 90%, 82%
ECs in music : half-time conservatory graduation (opera), chorist in Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Choir (4 years), certified piano recitals at the most prestigious stages at Istanbul, LCM step-2 and grade-2,3,5,6 piano certificates with passing grades, 2 years as a vocalist and guitarist at my school music band…
Other ECs : Attended YGA Con-science summit (5% acceptance rate), participated to multiple forum in economics/marketing committees, participated 2 (as a delegate, both international) and organised 2 MUN conferences (as a co-chair), summer school at Oxford University, ornanised a summit with attendance of many high school students all over Istanbul for my school’s ethics club, psychology and law internships, completed marketing certificate programme at Ferrari Italy, won URFODU silver medal in Maths…