Other Required Supporting Materials

Transcripts
Resume
Research Papers
Test scores
Personal statement

Additional supporting materials may be required with your application. Requirements vary by department and degree program. Please follow the instructions below to insure that all necessary supporting materials are included with your application.

TRANSCRIPTS

All applicants must submit transcripts of all previous academic work by the application deadline. For undergraduates, this includes transcripts from all high schools attended. Undergraduate transfer applicants must submit transcripts from their current colleges or universities in addition to high school transcripts. Graduate applicants must submit transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended. Official transcripts must be submitted in a sealed envelope, with any other application materials, by the application deadline. Faxed copies of transcripts are not acceptable; we must have the original on file by the deadline. Transcripts not originally in English must be submitted with a certified translation.

High school students who have earned college credit should submit college transcripts as well. The Eastman registrar reviews these transcripts to decide which, if any, credits might transfer.

Graduate students who wish to transfer credits from another college or university must submit a final transcript from the relevant class plus samples of course materials (such as a syllabus, assignments, a final project). These items should be turned in to the chair of the equivalent department at Eastman (e.g., to the musicology department for transfer of music history credits). The chair will make a recommendation to the associate dean of graduate studies. Review of previous credits by the associate dean and/or the graduate committee may be done at any time prior to the development of the program of study.

Transfer students (students currently matriculated in a degree program at another college or university) must submit a copy of the transfer release form. Without this form, no offer of admission with financial aid will be made, in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Home-schooled applicants must provide proof of completion of high school. This may be in the form of GED test results or a diploma from an accredited high school. A detailed description of the curriculum followed during high school is requited. In addition, home-schooled applicants are required to provide SAT I and  2 SAT II scores, or ACT scores. PSAT scores may additionally be submitted.

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RESUME

All applicants must attach a resume to their applications. Freshman and transfer applicants should list musical activities in high school and during summers. The resume should include any high school honors and awards received, leadership activities or offices held, and other non-music activities. Graduate applicants should attach a resume listing college and professional activities.

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RESEARCH PAPERS

Certain majors and degree programs require the submission of research papers for faculty review, as listed here. All papers must accompany the application and be submitted in English.

Undergraduate applicants with a major in:

• Theory—Undergraduate theory applicants must submit a research (term) paper with the application for the purpose of evaluating the applicant's writing and research skills. This paper need not be on a musical subject.

Graduate applicants with a major in:

• Composition (MA, PhD, and DMA degree programs)
• Music education (MA, DMA, and PhD degree programs)
• Performance and literature (all DMA degree programs)
• Piano accompanying and chamber music (DMA degree programs)

Graduate applicants to programs listed above must submit at least one music history or theory research paper demonstrating advanced analytical, scholarly, and writing abilities.

Graduate applicants with a major in:

• Musicology, music theory, or music theory pedagogy — Applicants to these majors must submit two research papers demonstrating advanced analytical, scholarly, and writing abilities. Submissions may be term papers, seminar reports, etc. (at least one of which should be on a musical subject), or an MA thesis, if applicable.

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TEST SCORES

Undergraduate applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit SAT/SAT II, ACT, or PSAT test scores, with the exception of home-schooled applicants (see above). SAT scores are preferred.

Applicants to all MA, PhD, and MA/PhD degree programs must submit GRE General Test scores by the application deadline.

Non-native speakers of English, regardless of citizenship, must submit a TOEFL score taken within the past two years; applicants who are non-native speakers of English are only exempt from this TOEFL requirement if they permanently moved to a country where the primary language is English, prior to their 14th birthday - such undergraduate applicants who moved prior to their 14th birthday, although exempt from TOEFL, must submit SAT scores instead.

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PERSONAL STATEMENT

Required of all applicants, this personal statement should be specific to the applicant’s intended degree study at Eastman, and is an important part of the file review. The Admissions committee is specifically interested in the particular interest the applicant has in the Eastman School of Music. General statements submitted for other college applications are not appropriate for this requirement.

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All application materials, including tapes, musical scores, research papers, etc., become the property of the Eastman School of Music and will not be returned.