In order to help you and your teen get an idea of what is to be expected at a university audition and application, I have presented a timeline here for UCLA. This is the Herb Alpert School of Music and it is a great school. Check out what you need to do!
Step 1 - UC Application
Undergraduate first year and junior transfer applicants begin the admissions process by completing the UC Application, which usually opens on August 1 and can be submitted from October 1 to November 30. Check their website for the exact dates.
Only applicants who have indicated Music Performance as their first choice major for UCLA on the UC Application will be considered for admission to the major. UCLA does not consider alternate majors, nor are you allowed to enter as a double major student.
In order to be eligible for admission, applicants must meet all minimum academic eligibility requirements for admission to the University of California. You can find resources on the left hand side of this page for students of first on their website: https://schoolofmusic.ucla.edu/admissions/undergraduate/music-performance/
Step 2 - School of Music Supplemental Application
In addition to the UC application, applicants to the School of Music are also required to submit the school’s supplemental application, which is housed on the Acceptd platform. When applying to the Music Performance major, applicants must also select a primary instrument (see below for the full list of instruments). Applicants audition on their primary instrument as part of the application process, and Music Performance majors receive individual instruction in their primary instrument and participate in ensembles with their primary instrument. The supplemental application includes the following components:
- Personal statement responses
- Unofficial transcript(s)
- Reference contact information for 2 teachers (preferably from an ensemble instructor or private teacher); please note that this is not a reference letter requirement, and we are just asking for contact information in case we do need to request additional information
- Prescreening videos (all instruments except for Bassoon, Guitar, Harp, Oboe, Organ, and Percussion)
- Performance resume (optional)
The submission deadline for the Supplemental Application is on the website. Make certain you check this early so you know the due date exactly. Last year it was in December so it probably seems like you have a lot of time until then but I will attest through personal experience, that date will sneak up on you so stay focused!
Step 3 Auditions
If applicants successfully pass prescreening, they are invited to audition for our studio faculty. You will be notified of whether or not you will proceed in our admissions process in late December. If you are not chosen to proceed in our final round audition/interview process, you will have three options: 1) request that UCLA change your first choice major; 2) withdraw your application completely; or 3) take no action and receive no offer of admission from UCLA. Auditions/interviews occur in late January and early February.
As I wrote earlier, time goes by so fast and even if you think that I am sending this out early, I am not. Start getting ready NOW, get all of your volunteer hours, practice schedule, lessons, performance practice, recommendations, lesson from the music professor you would like to work with at the school you would like to attend and anything else you might need in order so you do not have to do all of this at the last minute. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me via email: getincollegeus@gmail.com or contact us on FB: https://www.facebook.com/getinpracticeroom/
See you soon!
Susan