Step 1: Apply to the University
Academic admission to the university is separate from the School of Music application and audition process. High school seniors and prospective transfer students can apply to the university online.
If you are applying for a music degree in Composition, Jazz Studies, Liberal Arts in Music, Music Education, Musicology, Performance or Theory, please proceed to follow the steps outlined below and note that an audition is required in order to be considered for admission into the School of Music.
If you are applying for the Bachelor of Science in Music degree (Computer Sciences, Sonic Arts, and Media and Enterprise), please visit BS in Music—Application. The steps to apply for one of the three tracks within this degree differ from those of our other degree programs.
Following are suggestions regarding academic admission to the university. Read carefully, then apply online via the link provided below.
- You must apply by November 1 to receive an early-action decision from the university and be considered for most university merit scholarships. The university will accept applications until February 1.
- We highly recommend applying by November 1 if you wish to be considered for the Morrill Scholarship Program and Honors and Scholars Programs.
- Ohio State must receive test scores by the appropriate application and/or scholarship deadline. Students should plan to test at least six weeks prior to deadlines to allow sufficient time for scores to be sent to Ohio State. Test scores should be sent directly from the testing agency. Scores from transcripts will not be considered.
- Applicants who have done well academically in high school should seriously consider Ohio State's Honors Program. Students are also encouraged to apply to the Arts Scholars Program, which offers interesting and challenging interdisciplinary classes, activities and travel for arts majors.
Step 2: Apply to the School of Music
The application and audition processes for the School of Music are required, and are in addition to your application to the university.
Read all the following information carefully, then apply online via Acceptd® at the link provided below.
- Please note there is a $15 student application fee you will be asked to pay online at Acceptd®.
- All School of Music applications should be submitted by Saturday, January 26, 2019 OR two weeks prior to the chosen audition date, whichever comes first.
- The Acceptd® system is supported by all browser types. However, it is recommended that users update their browsers to the most recent versions, if possible. The application works best in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer (version 9 or higher).
NOTE: While completing your School of Music application online, you will be asked to select one (1) of four (4) dates to attend an Audition Day on campus.
- Please check dates carefully when selecting your audition date, as they often occur on the same days as Ohio Music Educators Association (OMEA) Solo and Ensemble competitions. Your college audition is an all-day commitment. Please do not plan to participate in both activities on the same day. Audition dates for the 2019–2020 academic year are:
- Thursday, December 6, 2018
- Friday, January 18, 2019 (No percussion auditions)
- Saturday, January 26, 2019 (No jazz percussion auditions)
- Saturday, February 9, 2019
- Non-Ohio residents may submit an audition recording via Acceptd® or may be able to arrange a special audition – on weekdays only – by requesting alternate dates on the application.
- For more information about our audition days, including a sample schedule, please visit Audition Day Information.
- Refer to
Audition Requirements for repertoire suggestions and requirements for your audition. - Students take a Theory Placement Exam (TPE) on the day of their live audition to determine if they are ready to enter Music Theory I. The exam covers basic musical notation, scales, key signatures, rhythm and chords.
For students who submit a video audition, the TPE is postponed until arrival on campus. - Note: All students who are subsequently admitted into the School of Music will take an Aural Skills Assessment (ASA), which will be administered during orientation to assess skills such as the ability to match a pitch, sing a scale and subdivide a pulse.
Step 3 (Optional): Applying for Scholarships and Financial Aid
- There is no separate audition for music scholarships. Each student who auditions for entrance to the School of Music may be considered for a music scholarship. Most scholarships are renewable for 4 years.
- Visit Undergraduate Admissions/Scholarships for details about academic scholarships.
- Visit Types of Aid for Incoming Freshmen for more information about financial aid options, eligibility criteria and deadlines.
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