Join a thriving community of students pursuing advanced degrees in the musical arts. This page contains everything you need to know about admission requirements, the application process and timeline, and funding opportunities in the School of Music. If you have any questions, please contact James Doing.
• Please review the “Graduate Application Guide“ before applying. This document contains detailed instructions and a link to begin the application. Additional information can be found in the tabs below.
• The application for Fall 2024 is now open! Applications are due on Friday, December 1.
• If you would like to visit the School of Music to tour our facilities and discuss the application process, please contact James Doing to schedule a meeting. You are also welcome to contact any of our faculty to request a meeting or a sample lesson.
Please review these items before starting the application.
Requirements by Area of Study
Auditions
Before being invited to audition, MM and DMA applicants will be prescreened based on their submitted portfolio. See the “Requirements by Area of Study” tab for portfolio guidelines.
| Brass | Saturday, January 20 -or- February 10, 2024
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|
Piano |
Saturday, January 20 -or- February 10, 2024
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| Conducting | Live, in-person audition on UW-Madison campus:
• Wind: Monday, February 5, 2024 |
| Composition Musicology Music Ed |
No audition required. |
International Students / TOEFL
International students are a large and important part of our community. As part of your application, you will be asked to acknowledge the following School of Music policies in the International Student Application Agreement:
1. Non-native speakers must submit a TOEFL score of 85 or higher
Graduate degrees in the School of Music require a high level of reading, writing, and speaking ability. If you cannot submit an official score of 85+ by December 1, 2023, please do not apply. Although the Graduate School offers to waive this requirement for U.S. degree holders, the School of Music does not grant TOEFL waivers. A Special Home Edition test score is acceptable. Please contact James (below) with questions.
2. All international students must complete the Financial Statement
If you are admitted to the Graduate School, you will be asked to complete a Financial Statement showing possession of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses for one year. Click here for the current amount required.
Funding
You do not need to apply for funding. All candidates for the graduate program are considered for funding awards. Graduate funding comes in the form of a Teaching Assistantship, Fellowship, or partial tuition credit.
Details can be found in this document: Graduate Funding in the School of Music
Admission Statistics
Click here for application, admission, and funding statistics from our most recent enrollment cycle (Fall 2023).
These are some of the most frequently asked questions about the admissions process. If your question is not answered below or in the documents above, please send an email to James Doing.
Can I get a fee waiver?
The School of Music is currently unable to grant fee waivers. You can apply for a fee waiver directly from the Graduate School: https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/fee-grant/ Please allow sufficient time for processing before December 1.
When is my application due?
Short answer: Friday, December 1.
Long answer: No later than December 1, you must submit all components of your application. We will no longer accept applications after 11:59 PM CST on December 1. International students: Please note that it can take several weeks for TOEFL scores to be sent by ETS, so you need to plan ahead in order for those to be received in a timely fashion.
Do I have to submit GRE scores?
Short answer: No, the GRE is not required for any of our graduate programs.
Which application should I complete first?
Short answer: The School of Music application.
Long answer: To help us stay organized, please complete the School of Music application first. The School of Music application is a simple Google form and should only take about 5 minutes to complete, provided you have your portfolio URL ready. The Graduate School application is a bit more complex and can take up to an hour to complete. Here, you will upload your basic application documents (Statement of Purpose, CV, unofficial transcripts, etc.) and also fill out a detailed questionnaire.
Do I need to send official transcripts?
Short answer: No, not yet.
Long answer: You will upload an unofficial scan of your transcript or grade report to the initial application. This is all that we need for departmental purposes. Once you have been recommended for admission by the School of Music, the Graduate School will request an official transcript in order to finalize your admission. Please do not send anything to the Graduate School until you have been requested to do so!
Have you received my letters of recommendation?
Short answer: Log back into your Graduate School application to check the status of your letters.
Long answer: The list you can see on your application status check is the same list that we see, so please do not inquire about the status of your letters! Inside the application, you will be able to send official reminders to any or all of your recommenders. They will receive a reminder email within 24 hours. You may also enter additional recommenders if you wish.
Although your letters are technically due on December 1 along with the rest of your application, you will not be penalized for any delay on the part of your recommenders. However, be aware that faculty will begin reviewing application files shortly after December 1, so it is in your best interest to make sure your letters are submitted on time!
I’ve finished my application. What do I do now?
Short answer: Sit tight!
Long answer: Your application will be reviewed by the faculty in your area of study. If you are required to complete an audition, you will receive a prescreening decision no later than Wednesday, December 20. If you are not required to complete an audition, your file will be reviewed over winter break. Admission/funding decisions will be made in early spring. Please note that all decisions will be issued via email to the address you provided in your application materials.
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
James Doing
gradadmissions@music.wisc.edu
608.263.3220
5553 Humanities
Application, admission, funding
Graduate Student Coordinator
Marina Drake
msdrake@wisc.edu
608.263.5016
5554 Humanities
Administration for current graduate students
Director of Graduate Studies
Prof. Jessica Johnson
dgs@music.wisc.edu
608.890.0882
5552 Humanities
Advising for current graduate students
