If you are a current DePaul University student interested in becoming a School of Music student, please visit the Inter-College Transfer page.
All undergraduate applicants interested in pursuing a major in music must
apply to the DePaul School of Music by December 1. All music applicants, regardless of intended major, must also perform an entrance audition on either a classical or a jazz instrument in order to be considered for admission to the School of Music.
Application Requirements
Application
Official college transcripts
One letter of recommendation
Transfer Acknowledgement Form
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:
Pre-screening video (required for all applicants on voice, violin, & all jazz instruments)
Composition portfolio (required for all composition applicants)
Interview (required for all music education applicants)
Entrance audition (required for all applicants)
Contact your area chair or director
Official transcripts should be mailed to:Office of Undergraduate Admission
1 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 9000
Electronic transcripts or test scores should be emailed to:
electronictranscripts@depaul.edu
Important Deadlines
Application deadline - December 1
Pre-screening video deadline - December 1
Composition portfolio deadline - February 1
Sound Recording Technology portfolio deadline - February 1
Audition recording deadline (for applicants outside the U.S.) - February 1
All admission decisions sent to undergraduate applicants - by April 1
Pre-Screening Recordings
Vocalists, Violinists and All Jazz Instrumentalists: In addition to your online application, you must submit a pre-audition screening video through our upload page, under "Portfolio Submission", by December 1. All recordings received after December 1 will only be considered based on the availability of audition times.
Audition and Pre-Screening Requirements
Upon passing the pre-audition screening, you will receive notification by no later than December 20 inviting you to schedule your live audition.
At this time, pre-screening videos are not required for any instruments other than voice, violin, and all jazz instruments.
Portfolios
Composition Portfolios
Undergraduate applicants intending to major in composition are required to submit a portfolio by February 1. The portfolio should include a list of works you have composed during the past three years and scores for 2 to 3 works that represent your compositional vocabulary and style. Composition portfolios should be submitted through our upload page, under "Portfolio Submission".
Sound Recording Technology Portfolios
Undergraduate applicants intending to major in Sound Recording Technology are permitted to submit a portfolio, although it is not required. Submissions may include any recording or video projects you have created that 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.
All undergraduate applicants are required to perform an entrance audition as well. Portfolios should be submitted in addition to an entrance audition.
Interviews
Interviews are required only for transfer applicants intending to pursue a degree in Music Education. These interviews take place during the month of February with the Director of Music Education. To schedule an interview, please contact the Music Admissions Office at musicadmissions@depaul.edu or 773-325-7444.
Students applying to pursue any major other than Music Education are not required to interview.
Contact Your Area Chair or Director
We strongly encourage all transfer applicants to contact and meet with the chair or director of their intended major to obtain more information. In doing so, you will learn about the petition to major process as well as the requirements of each program. For more information, contact the following faculty members:
Auditions
For more information about auditions, including repertoire requirements, visit our Audition Page.
Live, on-campus auditions are required of all undergraduate applicants, regardless of intended major, and usually take place on weekends in February. Recorded auditions are acceptable only for students currently residing outside of the continental United States. These students should submit a recorded audition through our upload page, under "Portfolio Submission", by February 1. We do not offer regional or international auditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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?
Yes, all undergraduate applicants must perform either a classical or a jazz audition to be admitted for any of the seven majors within the School of Music.
Can I audition on more than one instrument?
Yes, applicants are welcome to audition on more than one instrument. However, if you are admitted for both of the instruments you audition on you will need to select one to be your primary instrument moving forward.
I play both jazz and classical. Do I need to audition for both?
Maybe. Entrance auditions affect which private lessons students can take throughout their degree program. If you would like to take both jazz and classical private lessons on your instrument while at DePaul, you do need to perform two spearate auditions. If you are only interested in taking private lessons in one area, you only need to perform that audition. Students are able to audition for and perform in both jazz and classical ensembles regardless of which entrance auditions they complete.