Undergraduate Application Process

Provide a brief (1-2 paragraph) response to each of the following prompts:

• What are your career goals and aspirations?
• What are the skills and experiences you believe are most important to you in achieving your career goals and aspirations?
• Why do you believe Ithaca College and the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance are a good fit for you and your collegiate studies?

Provide a brief musical résumé, including musical activities in high school, during summers, honors and awards received, leadership activities and/or offices held, and other significant non-music activities. A musical résumé template is available for download here.

One (1) reference from a public or private music teacher is required.  Applicants are encouraged to submit more than one reference, if possible.

Information regarding pre-screening requirements by instrument can be found here. Information regarding acceptable electronic formats can be found here.

Please note that all Voice, Drum Set, and Sound Recording Technology applicants must submit a video recording.

Students applying for music education are invited to provide a video response to "Why do you want to become a music educator?" (2-minute maximum) 

Students applying for a B.M. in Composition will be prompted to submit two (2) scores of original works (with sound files, if possible).

More information regarding Composition application requirements can be found on the Composition Audition Requirements page.

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-study programs whenever possible. Merit-based scholarships and need-based financial aid awards are available. See Financial Aid at Ithaca for more information.

The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance does not recommend entering in a dual-degree or double major the first year. Students interested in combining programs, music or otherwise, must speak to their Advisor to review the feasibility of the combination, including a projected timeline, and next steps after successfully completing at least one semester at IC.

Early Decision is a college admissions process where applicants send their application to their preferred college early in the admissions cycle (by November 1st) and receive a decision from the college by the end of December. If you know without question which college you want to attend, the early decision process might be for you! 

The Office of Admission encourages qualified candidates who have selected Ithaca College as their first choice to apply Early Decision. Music applicants who apply early decision must audition on the December on-campus audition date. All students applying Early Decision will receive results before the holidays, including scholarship and financial aid.

See Undergraduate Admission: Application Deadlines for more information.

*Please note that the IC School of Music, Theatre, and Dance does not participate in the Early Action application timeline.

Yes! Ithaca College currently accepts Advanced Placement Exams, CLEP exams, and International Baccalaureate Exams.  Exam results must be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar from the testing agency.

Being placed on the waitlist means you meet the admission requirements for the program, but the college has already accepted the number of applicants it has room for. If a spot becomes available later on, you may be offered a place.

Admission to Ithaca College and the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is selective.  The number of applicants far exceeds the number of available spaces in studios and programs. As a result, some applicants will be offered a place on a waitlist. Applicants may choose to accept or deny a waitlist offer.

If the offer is accepted, the student may be considered for admission if space becomes available. Applicants typically receive final notification before or during the month of April.

The process for admission consideration consists of three steps:

1. Our faculty members assess the audition and provide an evaluation to the Dean and Director of Music Admission for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.
2. The Director of Music Admission 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 admission recommendation from the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

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.

The timeline for admission notification is dependent upon a number of variables. Most applicants will be notified of an admission decision between March 1 and April 1. Some applicants may be notified sooner, if possible.

Students interested in Composition have the option to apply with a Performance Emphasis (requires an audition) or without.

All students applying for the B.M. in Composition will be asked to submit two scores of original works with sound files (MIDI or live). 

More information can be found on our Composition Audition Requirements page.

Jazz Applicants are required to prepare both a classical and jazz audition.  

Applicants are encouraged to audition on-campus, in order to demonstrate their ability to improvise with a live rhythm section, made up of Ithaca College students.

Applicants must also prepare several song selections from the list of approved selections at the following page: For Jazz Studies Majors