HOW TO APPLY (graduate)

Application Process:

1. Submit an on-line graduate admission application to Penn State. On-line applications are available at the Graduate School Admissions and Program Information Portal.  Information about the graduate application fee can be found at http://gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/apply.html.

2. Submit supporting application materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, and materials requested for specific music program, *GRE score, **TOEFL score) to:

SCHOOL OF MUSIC
GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
233 MUSIC BUILDING
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA  16802-1901

Specific graduate application and admission requirements are available on graduate degree programs page.

3. Schedule an audition with the School of Music if you are applying to any of the performance degrees.  Applicants must contact the designated faculty member in the performance area to which they are applying to schedule an audition.  Faculty member contacts are listed on the graduate audition requirements page.

Applicants for voice, strings, and piano are expected to audition on one of the undergraduate audition dates and must complete a graduate audition online form.

ATTENTION PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
If you scheduled your audition between November 20th and December 4, 2008, please know that it WAS NOT received by the School of Music due to computer server problems. Please contact Lisa Stamm directly to schedule and confirm your audition date at lkm3@psu.edu or 814-865-1052. We're sorry for this inconvenience.

Audition requirements vary according to performance area. Click here to see graduate audition requirements by instrument.

*GRE score is only required for admission to the Master of Arts degrees in Musicology, Music Theory, and Music Theory and History.

**TOEFL score - The language of instruction at Penn State is English. International applicants must take and request the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to submit official scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) to Penn State, with the exceptions noted below.  The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires an institutional test of English proficiency upon first enrollment and, if necessary, remedial course work. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5.

International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement who have received a baccalaureate or a masters degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States and Wales.  The Penn State School of Music requires international applicants (non-native English speakers) for music education degrees to submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score, regardless of their academic background. 

Information about the TOEFL can be obtained by writing to the Educational Testing Service, Box 6155, Princeton, NJ 08541-6155 or visiting their web site at www.toefl.org. Local administration at University Park campus of the TOEFL is handled by the IECP. Information about the IELTS can be obtained by contacting IELTS International, 100 East Corson Street, Suite 200, Pasadena, CA 91103 or visiting its Web site at www.ielts.org.

Additional materials for International applicants:
International applicants are strongly suggested to refer to the following Penn State web site. This site contains the most up-to-date information for international applicants, including a Graduate Overview, Application for Visa Document, Financial Guarantee Requirements, and information needed before and after arriving at Penn State.
http://www.international.psu.edu/international_students/

Application Deadlines:

U.S. Citizens:
Fall semester admission:  applications received by February 15, with audition and/or interview requirements completed by March 1, will be given full consideration for admission and graduate assistantships.
 
Spring semester admission:  applications received by October 1, with audition and/or interview requirements completed by October 15, will be given full consideration for admission and graduate assistantships.

In order to be considered for a University Graduate Fellowship, completed applications must be received by January 10 and auditions must be completed by January 31 for the following academic year.

Late applications may be considered, as space is available.

International Citizens:
Due to stricter controls on visas issued to foreign visitors/students to the United States, the deadlines for international applications must be closely followed.

Fall semester admission:  applications received by February 15, with audition and/or interview requirements completed by March 1, will be given full consideration for admission and graduate assistantships

Spring semester admission:  applications received by August 15, with audition and/or interview requirements completed by September 1, will be given full consideration for admission and graduate assistantships.

In order to be considered for a University Graduate Fellowship, completed applications must be received by January 10 and auditions must be completed by January 31 for the following academic year.

For more information regarding graduate admission and audition procedures, please contact:

LISA STAMM
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
233 MUSIC BUILDING
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA  16802-1901
(814) 865-1052
Music-gr-adm@psu.edu