Undergraduate Admission

Application Procedures

Music applicants must apply and be accepted to both Ithaca College and the School of Music. 

The Ithaca College application consists of:

1. Submission of the Common Application and Ithaca College supplement; online submission preferred
2. Secondary school report from the high school guidance counselor
3. Mid-year school report
4. Teacher evaluation forms
5. SAT or ACT scores
6. myIthaca registration

Begin Ithaca College Application Now

The School of Music application consists of:

1. Audition -- every School of Music applicant, including minors, must audition on a major performing instrument or voice, except for composition applicants who must submit scores. To schedule an audition, please complete and return an audition registration card, call 607-274-3366, or e-mail music@ithaca.edu. For complete audition information, including requirements by degree and instrument, please visit the following website:
   Auditions
2. School of Music Application -- you will receive this by mail with confirmation of your audition date.
3. Resume -- all applicants are required to enclose a brief resume with their application, listing musical activities in high school and during summers.
4. Personal statement -- applicants must compose a concise personal statement specific to the applicant's intended degree of study.
5. Letter(s) of recommendation -- one letter of recommendation from a music teacher is required, but we will accept more than one if provided.

To get full details on School of Music admission requirements, including deadlines, please see the charts on the following page:
Admission Requirements

When to Apply

Application to Ithaca College should be made early in the senior year of high school and not later than February 1. It is recommended that students submit their application at least two weeks prior to their audition.

The School of Music application and all supporting materials must be submitted two weeks prior to the audition.

Acceptance and Notification

Acceptance to Ithaca College and the School of Music involves three steps:

1. Our faculty members assess the audition and provide this information to the dean of the School of Music.
2. The dean of the School of Music makes a recommendation to the College's director of admission based on the results of the audition and review of the music application and supporting documents.
3. The College's director of admission makes an admission decision based on the admission committee's evaluation of academics and the recommendation of the dean of the School of Music.

In some cases, an applicant may not satisfactorily meet the audition requirements to be a music major, but may still be admitted to Ithaca College for study in another degree. Conversely, an applicant may meet the music requirements, but not be admitted to Ithaca College because of academic deficiencies. 

Ithaca College operates on a rolling admission structure and will notify applicants of their admission status as soon as possible once all admission requirements are met, but not later than April 15.

Early Decision

The Office of Admission encourages qualified candidates who have selected Ithaca as their first choice to apply under the early decision program. Music applicants who are applying under the early decision program must audition on the earliest on-campus audition date. More information, including deadlines, please visit the Ithaca College admission site:
Undergraduate Admission: Early Decision

Waiting List

Admission to Ithaca College and the School of Music is very competitive by both instrument and degree. The number of applicants far exceeds the number of available spaces in studios and programs. Some applicants will be offered a place on a waiting list. Applicants may choose to accept or deny a waiting-list offer. If the offer is accepted, the student would be considered for admission if a space becomes available. Applicants typically receive a final notification before or during the month of June.

Financial Aid

The Office of Student Financial Services is committed to partnering with families to assist all students in meeting educational costs through scholarships, grants, loans, and work programs whenever possible. There are talent-, merit-, and need-based scholarships available to undergraduate music students. Please visit the financial aid website for more information:
Financial Aid at Ithaca

Still Have Questions?

Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page:
Admission FAQs

Contact Information

Music Admission
3322 Whalen Center for Music
Ithaca College  
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-3366
music@ithaca.edu