Q. If I need to defer my application or admission, what should I do?

A. UT Graduate Admissions no longer grants admission deferrals, even for one semester. If the School of Music makes you an offer of admission, it is only valid for the semester for which you applied and not in the future. You will need to re-apply and send all required materials again to be considered for future admission.

Q. How do I apply for a music scholarship and/or a non-resident tuition waiver?

A. All graduate applicants applying to the School of Music are considered for financial assistance. No additional application is necessary for scholarships or non-resident tuition waivers offered through the School of Music. However, you may enclose a letter (to be added to your file) to the faculty explaining your need/desire for financial assistance, and/or a resume listing your educational accomplishments and awards. The music faculty makes all decisions regarding financial assistance from the School of Music. To apply for an assistantship, please use the Assistantship Application.

Q. My bachelor's degree was not in music. May I still apply for a graduate degree in music?

A. Graduate applicants who have a bachelor's degree in a subject other than music may still apply; each division handles these applicant files on a case-by-case basis. The faculty expects all applicants to have a solid foundation in college-level music history and music theory. Graduate applicants admitted to a graduate program in music who have a bachelor's degree in a subject other than music may be required to complete remedial undergraduate course work. The undergraduate sequence for music history is 3 semesters, consisting of 3 courses (313M, 313N, and 330L); for music theory it is five semesters, consisting of 7 courses (605A, 605B, 612A, 612B, 411A, 411B, and 221J).

Q. How do the electronic recommendation forms work, and can I submit paper letters instead?

A. When you apply online through the Texas Common Application (http://www.applytexas.org), you are asked to submit the names and email addresses of your three recommenders. The university will then send a link to your recommenders that will allow them to submit electronic letters of recommendation on your behalf. You may also request your recommenders to send a paper form with a typed letter attached (optional). You can find this form here: Music Recommendation Form. Three recommendation letters are required, and they may be either electonic or paper or any combination of the two.

Q. As a performance major, is a live audition preferred?

A. Live auditions are required for certain performance degrees: piano, flute, percussion, voice/opera; and for strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass (for applicants living in the United States). String applicants living outside of the U.S. must submit a video recording if they cannot audition live. In other areas a live audition is strongly preferred, but an audio or video recording may be submitted. Graduate applicants in Conducting must submit a video recording in addition to an audio recording. Please refer to the section "Admission Requirements Part II" for more specific information regarding auditions. The School of Music does not offer any scheduled live auditions outside of the UT-Austin campus.

Q. Is it acceptable if my application materials arrive separately?

A. Yes, as long as all materials including test scores and transcripts arrive by the application deadline (December 1 for fall admission.) All materials are kept in a holding file until the UT online application, fee, official transcripts, etc. are received. If necessary, you will be notified in writing of any missing items needed to complete your application file.

Q. What happens if some or all of my application materials go to the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) instead of the School of Music, or vice versa?

A. GIAC (Graduate & International Admissions Center) will forward departmental materials such as recommendation letters, statement of purpose, etc., to the School of Music. However, please be aware that there can be a lengthy delay while these materials make their way to us. For materials such as the audition request form, recommendation letters, recordings, etc., please ensure that these are sent directly to the School of Music. If the School of Music receives your UT application or transcripts, these items will be forwarded to the GIAC.

Q. Is the GRE required for graduate studies at The University of Texas School of Music?

A. The GRE General Test is required for students applying for entrance at the graduate level to Music and Human Learning, Music Theory, Musicology, and Ethnomusicology. Students applying to entrance at the graduate level for performance or composition are not required to submit GRE scores. The GRE music subject test is not required for any graduate programs at UT-Austin. For those applicants applying to programs which require the GRE General Test, there is no longer a minimum score requirement, except for international applicants who must score above 400 on the verbal portion of the exam. The faculty does look at these scores as a general indication of your overall academic ability. All International students whose verbal score on the GRE General Test is less than 400 will be required to submit a valid TOEFL score.

Q. My test scores will not be arriving until after the admission deadline for the semester to which I am applying. Will I still be considered for admission?

A. If the GRE and/or TOEFL is required of you, if will be difficult to consider your application if these scores are not received by December 1. You should make every effort to take any required tests (GRE or TOEFL) in time so that the test results will be received by or before the deadline for the semester to which you are applying. In addition, test scores must be official and reported directly to UT by ETS or the test center that administers the exam. ETSs university code for UT is 6882.

To be eligible for University recruitment fellowships (offered only for graduate study beginning in the fall semesters), all test scores, as well as all other application materials required, must be received by the December 1 admission deadline. Applications received after the admission deadline may not be accepted and consideration for admission for the following semester cannot be guaranteed.

Q. Will any of my previously completed graduate level course work count towards fulfilling the music degree I plan to pursue at UT?

A. Only after being successfully admitted and registered for coursework, a master's degree student may petition to transfer a maximum of six hours of master's degree course work completed at another institution. This is not a guarantee and must be approved by the School of Musics Graduate Adviser. Doctoral degree students may request that graduate course work completed at another institution be substituted for course work required in the doctoral program. An evaluation of course work previously completed may be requested after a student completes one semester of study at UT.

Q. What are the diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory?

A. The diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory are required for all entering graduate students. These exams determine any deficiencies that students may have in music theory or music history. Diagnostic examinations are offered immediately prior to Fall or Spring registration. No make-up exams and no practice exams are available for students to take. Specific information about the diagnostic examinations can be found on the Diagnostics page.