Final admissions decisions will be released by April 1.
| Step | Checklist | Date Due |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Application with all supplemental materials. See Graduate Application link at the bottom of this page. | December 1† |
| 2 | Non-refundable application fee of $85 | December 1 |
| 3 | Three letters of recommendation via the Graduate Application or the paper version | December 10 |
| 4 | Unofficial transcripts attached to the application* | December 1 |
| 5 | Official transcripts with Fall 2026 grades. A cumulative minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required on the Bachelor's transcript. For more information, please see the FAQ section. | February 1 |
| 6 | Proof of English Language Proficiency. Applicants who are foreign nationals and those whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency*. Performance diplomas or certificates do not suffice as a degree. This can be shown by any of the following:
| January 3 |
| 7 | Shepherd School Financial Assistance Application. Required of all applicants to be considered for scholarships offered by the Shepherd School of Music. After completing the form, your responses will be emailed to you - please save the email as a .PDF file to upload to your application. | December 1 |
| 8 | Prescreening Submission. Use the following links for the appropriate audition/interview information: | December 1 |
* The application will close at the end of December 1 at 11:59 PM (EST).
† All application attachments must be in .pdf format
‡ Only the best composite TOEFL score is accepted; my Best scores are not accepted. The TOELF ITP Plus is not accepted.
§ For more information and the list of countries and/or universities where the official language of instruction is English, please Click Here. Any questions about how to prove English Language Proficiency should be directed to the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies Admissions Office