How to apply to a graduate program
We’re glad you’re considering the Jacobs School of Music for your graduate education experience. But before we can see if we’re a match, you’ll need to complete all of the steps on this page.
Step 1: apply to the Indiana University Graduate School
The first thing you need to do is apply to the Indiana University Graduate School and pay the $70 application fee.
The deadline to apply is December 1, 2019.
Applications received after the deadline will be accepted on a case-by-case basis, depending on space availability.
Learn more about the graduate application processStep 2: apply to the Jacobs School of Music graduate program
After you’ve submitted your IU application, you must complete the Jacobs School of Music Supplemental Application and pay the $95 application fee.
The Jacobs application deadline is December 1, 2019.
Apply nowStep 3: submit supporting materials to Jacobs
1. Letters of recommendation
In order to apply to Jacobs, you’ll need to submit three letters of recommendation. Your recommenders will receive a secure link to use to upload their letters after you submit your application.
2. Prescreen materials
Depending on what program you are applying to, you may need to submit prescreen materials during this phase. Please carefully review the audition requirements for your program before applying.
3. Academic and testing records
Arrange to have the following materials sent to the Jacobs School of Music, preferably in one mailing:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- GRE score (only for Music Education, Music Theory, and Musicology applicants)
- TOEFL score (if your native language is not English)
Our address is:
Office of Music Admissions and Financial AidEast Studio Building JS 100
201 E. Third Street
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812-855-7998
Fax: 812-856-6086
Email: musicadm@indiana.edu
Special note for international students:
If you are applying to a Jacobs graduate program as an international student, you will need to submit additional documents to both Jacobs and the Office of International Services.
Learn more about application requirements for international studentsStep 4: complete your audition and/or interview
After all your materials are submitted, you’ll complete an audition and/or interview, as applicable to your program. These are generally held on three weekends:
- January 17–18, 2020
- February 7–8, 2020
- March 6–7, 2020
All auditions and interviews are held in Bloomington.
Additional audition information
You can choose your preferred audition dates when completing the Jacobs School of Music Supplemental Application. If you have special requests within an audition weekend, please email musicadm@indiana.edu. However, due to faculty schedules and a large number of applicants, it may not be possible to honor special requests for specific days or times during an audition weekend.
You’ll receive the schedule and details for your audition via email at least 30 days prior to your selected audition date. Your auditions and/or interviews will be scheduled between 8 a.m. on Friday and 7 p.m. on Saturday of your audition weekend. Please wait to make travel plans until after you receive official confirmation of your audition/interview date and time.
Audition schedules and details are sent via email no later than 30 days prior to your selected audition date. Please wait to make travel plans until after you receive official confirmation of your audition/interview date and time.
All auditions and interviews are held on the Bloomington campus. We do not offer regional auditions.
If you wish to audition live but are unable to attend one of the official audition dates, you can request an ad hoc audition. Ad hoc auditions must be completed by March 1, 2025. To request an ad hoc audition, contact the department chair of your program.
If the department chair approves, you must arrange an audition date and time directly with the department. Then, send an email to the music admissions office at musicadm@indiana.edu with the audition date and time and the faculty member who arranged it. Faculty members are not obligated to grant ad hoc auditions.
If you are unable to audition live, you may submit a recorded audition via the Jacobs School of Music Supplemental Application. The application must be submitted by December 1, 2024, and your final recorded audition must be uploaded by February 15, 2025. Recorded auditions are acceptable for most departments. However, we strongly encourage applicants to perform on-campus auditions. Please review your program’s requirements before submitting recordings.
Bachelor of Music Education applicants must attend a live interview on the Bloomington campus.
Additional application information
Undergraduate international applicants
If your native language is not English, please visit IU's admissions standards page for the requirements on how to meet demonstration of english proficiency.
Graduate applicants
If your native language is not English, you must submit a TOEFL score, demonstrating your level of English proficiency.
Minimum scores
- Master of Music applicants: 84 (internet), 223 (computer), 560 (paper)
- Performer Diploma and Artist Diploma applicants: 65 (internet), 183 (computer), 510 (paper)
- Doctor of Music applicants: 100 (internet), 250 (computer), 600 (paper)
Applicants in Voice (all), Piano (D.M. only), Conducting, Musicology, and Graduate Music Education must submit scores by December 1. All other applicants must submit scores by March 1. There are no exceptions to these requirements and scores must be submitted in order for an admission decision to be made.
You should expect an admissions decision from us no later than April 1. The enrollment response date for graduate students is April 15 and for undergraduate students is May 1.
The Jacobs School Supplemental application gives you the opportunity to express your preference for individual faculty members.
Studio Placement is based on space availability in faculty studios and student requests. Upon admission, please reach out directly to your preferred teacher to confirm your studio. All incoming students are guaranteed placement with a faculty member by orientation week.
Spring admission (students beginning in January) is limited and is dependent upon space availability in individual departments.
For optimal merit-based financial aid consideration, fall admission is encouraged.
Please contact the Office of Music Admissions if interested in spring admission. Note, applications are due on October 1.