Apply
The following programs require an application and audition to pursue. Additionally, music education and music therapy programs require an entrance interview.
- BMus (performance, music education, music therapy)
- BA in music with applied emphasis
- Music minor (applied)
- Music PSEO
Any student at the University of Minnesota may pursue the BA in music with academic emphasis or World Music Minor; no application or audition required.
STEP 1: Apply to the University of Minnesota
- Incoming Freshman and Transfer applicants must apply for admission to the University of Minnesota. You do not need to wait for the result of your University application to apply to the School of Music. For further clarification of the dual application decision process for the School of Music and the University, see the "Admissions Decisions" section below.
- Currently enrolled students at the U of M - Twin Cities do not need to apply to the University.
- Students applying to the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) or the Music Therapy Equivalency (Non-Degree) must follow a separate School of Music application process.
STEP 2: Apply to the School of Music
For admissions consideration, complete your application to the School of Music by the application deadline. Fall 2023 applicants of the following programs will also be automatically considered for music scholarships: Bachelor of Music (Performance, Music Education, Music Therapy), Bachelor of Arts with Applied Emphasis.
2023 Application Deadlines
- December 1, 2022 - Spring 2023 admission
- January 1, 2023 - Fall 2023 admission
Please note: some programs and studios will continue to consider applications after the stated deadline. Please write to music@umn.edu with your intended major and instrument of study to inquire if your program is accepting late applications.
School of Music Online Application
- Your personal and musical information
Includes proposed degree plan, audition/interview date, studio instructor preferences, musical and educational history, personal statements, and space to list musical accomplishments and goals. - Two letters of recommendation (suggested)
Letters of recommendation are suggested, but not required. The application will gather the email addresses of references you wish to include and collect the letters on your behalf. - Recorded audition video
All auditions for the 2023 admission must be conducted via video recording and submitted with the School of Music application by the application deadline. Please review the recorded audition guidelines and submission instructions. - $50 Non-refundable application fee
If the music application fee proves to be a barrier to submitting your application, please contact music@umn.edu to request an application fee waiver.
STEP 3: Interview (Music Education/Therapy Only)
If you are applying to the music education and music therapy programs, you must complete a 15-minute remote interview via Zoom with the faculty one of the following interview dates:
2023 Entrance Interviews
- TBD
STEP 4: Schedule a Visit
We would love to welcome you to the School of Music! This step can take place at any point in your college exploration.
- Schedule a campus visit with the Office of Admissions and request that your tour include a stop at the School of Music. We will coordinate with the Office of Admissions to ensure your trip to campus involves a tour of Ferguson Hall and a meeting with a music advisor.
- Take a virtual tour of Ferguson Hall
- Meet our faculty. Introduce yourself, share your interests, and request to observe a sample lesson or rehearsal. They want to meet you!
- Attend a School of Music concert or lecture. You can even join the School of Music events newsletter.
Dual Application Process
For School of Music consideration, students must submit applications for both University admission as well as School of Music admission. Each applicant will be reviewed based on the information presented in the application. The School of Music will also utilize the audition and interview to make a final determination. The Office of Admissions may indicate that a decision will be held until after the music application and audition process has been completed. Note that admission to the University of Minnesota does not guarantee admission to the School of Music, and admission to the School of Music does not guarantee admission to the University of Minnesota.
Decision Communication
School of Music admissions and scholarship decisions are issued formally from the School of Music by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. While individual faculty members may express interest in working with you and nominate you for scholarships, their interest is not a formal offer of admission or scholarship.
The School of Music aims to provide applicants who submit complete applications by the application deadline and conduct any required audition or interview on the established interview/audition dates by mid-December (for Spring admission) and mid-March (for Fall admission).
Instructor Preference
School of Music applicants have the opportunity to indicate their primary and secondary choices of private lesson instructor. Every effort will be made to honor these requests based on studio availability and balance. However, we cannot guarantee placement in your preferred instructor's studio.
If you have taken music coursework for credit at another institution, will need to undergo a transfer course review process that includes syllabus review for academic and specialized music courses and a transfer jury at the end of your first semester at the University for applied lessons and ensembles. Theory and ear-training proficiency is assessed via placement exams and theory courses as a general rule are not eligible for transfer credit.
Transfer specialists in the Office of Admissions will provide applicants with information on the transfer of liberal education/general credits to the University of Minnesota.