All undergraduate applicants interested in pursuing a major in music must apply to the DePaul School of Music by December 1.
Students apply to DePaul on the Common Application. Unless interested in the Sound Recording Technology - Audio Technology track or the Performing Arts Management - Bachelor of Science, all applicants must complete a formal audition on either a classical or a jazz instrument in order to be considered for admission to the School of Music.
Important Deadlines
Common Application - December 1
Pre-screen videos - December 1 - only applicable to classical vocalists, clarinetists, violinists and all jazz instruments.
All recorded audition submissions (if opting for recorded and not in person) - February 1
All writing samples - February 1
All portfolios and video interviews - February 1
Additional application materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, optional test scores) - February 1
Please note: the School of Music does not have early action admission. This is because our audition process takes place in February. All School of Music applicants will hear of their admission and financial aid results between March 1 and April 1 2024.
Please see below for the list of requirements for the application to the Bachelor of Music in Performance.
Apply by December 1.
- Pre-screening video (required for applicants on clarinet, violin, classical voice and all jazz instruments only). Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire requirements. Pre-screen recordings can begin to be uploaded 24 hours after the application has been submitted (upon receiving Blue Demon Domain login credentials). Must be submitted by December 1.
- Audition. We encourage all applicants, if at all possible, to audition in-person. Below are the details for each format.
a. Live audition dates are scheduled during the weekends in February. Live auditions can be scheduled here. Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire.
b. Recorded auditions are available by request and must be uploaded to your Blue Demon Domain no later than February 1. Recorded auditions must be accompanied by a short interview video submission. Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire and interview requirements. Please contact musicadmissions@depaul.edu to request a recorded audition.
Materials (due February 1)
- Submit your high school transcript.
- Letter of recommendation and high school report from your high school counselor.
- One letter of recommendation representing your musical abilities.
- SAT/ACT scores.
Official transcripts should be mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
1 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 9000
Chicago, IL 60604
Please see below for the list of requirements for the application to the Bachelor of Music in Music Education.
Apply by December 1.
Music Requirements
- Pre-screening video (required for applicants on clarinet, classical voice, violin and all jazz instruments only). Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire requirements. Pre-screen recordings can begin to be uploaded 24 hours after the application has been submitted (upon receiving Blue Demon Domain login credentials). Must be submitted by December 1.
- Audition. We encourage all applicants, if at all possible, to audition in-person. Below are the details for each format.
a. Live audition dates are scheduled during the weekends in February. Live auditions can be scheduled here. Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire.
b. Recorded auditions are available by request and must be uploaded to your Blue Demon Domain no later than February 1. Recorded auditions must be accompanied by a short interview video submission (separate from the Music Education Recorded Interview listed below). Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire and interview requirements. Please contact musicadmissions@depaul.edu to request a recorded audition.
Materials (due by February 1)
- Submit your high school transcript.
- Letter of recommendation and high school report from your high school counselor.
- One letter of recommendation representing your musical abilities.
- SAT/ACT scores.
- Music Education Recorded Interview Submission. Prompts will appear in your Blue Demon Domain after submission of your audition videos. Your Music Education Recorded Interview must be submitted by February 1 whether you are auditioning in person or by recording. Please note: if you are submitting a recorded audition and not performing a live audition, you must first submit your audition videos before the Music Education interview prompts appear in your Blue Demon Domain. 24 hours after you submit the audition videos, you will be able to upload the Music Education interview video.
Official transcripts should be mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
1 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 9000
Chicago, IL 60604
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Music are required to participate in private lessons and ensembles. Please see below for the list of requirements for the application to the Bachelor of Music in Performing Arts Management.
Apply by December 1.
- Pre-screening video (required for applicants on clarinet, classical voice, violin and all jazz instruments only). Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire requirements. Pre-screen recordings can begin to be uploaded 24 hours after the application has been submitted (upon receiving Blue Demon Domain login credentials). Must be submitted by December 1.
- Audition: We encourage all applicants, if at all possible, to audition in-person. Below are the details for each format.
a. Live auditions are scheduled during the weekends in February. Live auditions can be scheduled here. Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire.
b. Recorded auditions are available by request and must be uploaded to your Blue Demon Domain no later than February 1. Recorded auditions must be accompanied by a short interview video submission. Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire and interview requirements. Please contact musicadmissions@depaul.edu to request a recorded audition.
- Writing Sample. Prompt will be provided by the Performing Arts Management Department after application submission. Must be submitted by February 1.
- Video submission. Prompts will appear in your Blue Demon Domain after submission of your audition videos. Must be submitted by February 1. Please note: if you are submitting a recorded audition instead of performing a live audition, you must first submit your audition videos before the PAM interview prompts appear in your Blue Demon Domain. 24 hours after you submit the audition videos, you will be able to upload the PAM interview video. Both the audition videos and the interview need to be received by February 1.
Materials (due February 1)
- Submit your high school transcript.
- Letter of recommendation and high school report from your high school counselor.
- One letter of recommendation representing your musical abilities.
- SAT/ACT scores.
Official transcripts should be mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
1 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 9000
Chicago, IL 60604
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Performing Arts Management will not participate in private lessons or be required to participate in ensembles. Please see below for the list of requirements for the application to the Bachelor of Science in Performing Arts Management.
Apply by December 1.
Requirements (Must be completed and submitted by February 1)
- Video Submission. Prompt will be provided by the Performing Arts Management department after application submission.
- Writing Sample (prompt will be provided by the Performing Arts Management department after application submission).
- Online theory test (to be provided after application submission).
Materials (due February 1)
- Submit your high school transcript.
- Letter of recommendation and high school report from your high school counselor.
- SAT/ACT scores.
Official transcripts should be mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
1 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 9000
Chicago, IL 60604
Students pursuing the performance track are required to participate in private lessons and ensembles. Please see below for the list of requirements for the application to the Bachelor of Science in Sound Recording Technology (Performance Track).
Apply by December 1.
- Pre-screening video (required for applicants on clarinet, classical voice, violin and all jazz instruments only). Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire requirements. Pre-screen recordings can begin to be uploaded 24 hours after the application has been submitted (upon receiving Blue Demon Domain login credentials). Must be submitted by the December 1.
- Audition. We encourage all applicants, if at all possible, to audition in-person. Below are the details for each format.
a. Live audition dates are scheduled during the weekends in February. Live auditions can be scheduled here. Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire.
b. Recorded auditions are available by request and must be uploaded to your Blue Demon Domain no later than February 1. Recorded auditions must be accompanied by a short interview video submission. Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire and interview requirements. Please contact musicadmissions@depaul.edu to request a recorded audition.
- Portfolio. Undergraduate applicants intending to major in Sound Recording Technology must submit a portfolio. Submissions may include any recording or video projects that you have created which exhibit an understanding of music, video, and multimedia recording and production. Portfolios should be submitted through our upload page, under "Portfolio Submission", by February 1.
Materials (due February 1)
- Submit your high school transcript.
- Letter of recommendation and high school report from your high school counselor.
- One letter of recommendation representing your musical abilities.
- SAT/ACT scores.
Official transcripts should be mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
1 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 9000
Chicago, IL 60604
Students pursuing the audio technology track will not participate in private lessons or be required to participate in ensembles. Please see below for the list of requirements for the application to the Bachelor of Science in Sound Recording Technology (audio technology track).
Apply by December 1.
Music Requirements (Must be completed and submitted by February 1)
- Video submission performing one piece of your choice that clearly demonstrates your musical abilities. (This is different from the audition repertoire required for those applying to performance track. You are invited to showcase your musical abilities on any instrument with any repertoire. Those who are not proficient on an instrument are still required to submit a video showcasing musical knowledge, such as creating or explaining an electronic composition).
- Online theory test (to be provided after application submission).
- Brief written description of why you want to study Sound Recording Technology.
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Portfolio. Undergraduate applicants intending to major in Sound Recording Technology must submit a portfolio. Submissions may include any recording or video projects that you have created which exhibit an understanding of music, video, and multimedia recording and production. Portfolios should be submitted through our upload page, under "Portfolio Submission", by February 1.
Materials (due February 1)
- Submit your high school transcript.
- Letter of recommendation and high school report from your high school counselor.
- One letter of recommendation representing your musical abilities.
- SAT/ACT scores.
Official transcripts should be mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
1 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 9000
Chicago, IL 60604
Please see below for the list of requirements for the application to the Bachelor of Music in Composition.
Apply by December 1.
- Pre-screening video (required for applicants on clarinet, classical voice, violin and all jazz instruments only). Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire requirements. Pre-screen recordings can begin to be uploaded 24 hours after the application has been submitted (upon receiving Blue Demon Domain login credentials). Must be submitted by December 1.
- Audition: We encourage all applicants, if at all possible, to audition in-person. Below are the details for each format.
a. Live audition dates are scheduled during the weekends in February. Live auditions can be scheduled here. Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire.
b. Recorded auditions are available by request and must be uploaded to your Blue Demon Domain no later than February 1. Recorded auditions must be accompanied by a short interview video submission. Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire and interview requirements. Please contact musicadmissions@depaul.edu to request a recorded audition.
- Portfolio of three representative compositions. Portfolios should be submitted to the upload page of your portal. Applications must be submitted before portfolios can be uploaded. Must be submitted by February 1.
Materials (due February 1)
- Submit your high school transcript.
- Letter of recommendation and high school report from your high school counselor.
- One letter of recommendation representing your musical abilities.
- SAT/ACT scores.
- We are a test optional university. Decide whether or not you would like to have your ACT or SAT test scores submitted as part of your application. If you choose to submit your test scores and they do not appear on your high school transcript, request the testing agency to forward a score report to DePaul using our college code numbers: 1012 for ACT and 1165 for SAT.
Official transcripts should be mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
1 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 9000
Chicago, IL 60604
Please see below for the list of requirements for the application to the Bachelor of Arts in Music.
Apply by December 1.
- Pre-screening video (required for applicants on clarinet, classical voice, violin and all jazz instruments only). Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire requirements. Pre-screen recordings can begin to be uploaded 24 hours after the application has been submitted (upon receiving Blue Demon Domain login credentials). Must be submitted by the December 1.
- Audition: We encourage all applicants, if at all possible, to audition in-person. Below are the details for each format.
a. Live audition dates are scheduled during the weekends in February. Live auditions can be scheduled here. Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire.
b. Recorded auditions are available by request and must be uploaded to your Blue Demon Domain no later than February 1. Recorded auditions must be accompanied by a short interview video submission. Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire and interview requirements. Please contact musicadmissions@depaul.edu to request a recorded audition.
- Writing Sample. Prompts will be provided by the Bachelor of Arts department after application submission. Must be submitted by February 1.
Materials (due February 1)
- Submit your high school transcript.
- Letter of recommendation and high school report from your high school counselor.
- One letter of recommendation representing your musical abilities.
- SAT/ACT scores.
Official transcripts should be mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
1 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 9000
Chicago, IL 60604
What is the application fee?
There is no application fee for undergraduate applicants.
Can I update my application after if has been submitted?
Yes, please go to the Application Update Form to do so.
I'm already a student at DePaul. How can I become a music major?
Can I transfer in the spring?
No, we only admit new students to begin in the School of Music at the beginning of each academic year.
Do I need to send all of my transcripts?
Yes, we need official transcripts from every college or university you have attended. We are unable to accept unofficial transcripts.
I don't want to be a performance major. Do I still need to audition?
Maybe. If you are applying for the Bachelor of Arts, Music Education, Sound Recording Technology Performance Track, Performing Arts Management Bachelor of Music or Composition, you must still complete and entrance audition, in addition to the program requirements. If you are applying for the Sound Recording Technology Program Audio Technology Track (non-performance track) or the Performing Arts Management Bachelor of Science , the entrance audition is not required. Please refer to the correct entrance requirements for these two programs.