School of Music Undergraduate Admissions
Applying to an undergraduate music program at Boston University? Visit the BU Office of Undergraduate Admissions website to complete your application through the Common App. BU College of Fine Arts is test-optional meaning you don’t need to submit your SAT or ACT applicants. We believe standardized test scores do not relate to a student’s artistic talent and true potential. However, you are welcome to submit your scores if you’d like!
For any questions related to admissions, email the School of Music or call us at 617-353-3341.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Most of our undergraduate programs also require an audition or portfolio. Open the collapsible menus below to learn more and complete all the steps necessary to successfully apply to your School of Music program of choice.
Bachelor of Music, Performance
Once you’ve submitted your application through the Common App, your next step is to prepare for your audition! All undergraduate Bachelor of Music applicants must
perform an audition or submit a portfolio.
- Early Decision 1 applicants: schedule your audition by November 1 (through our Online Portal, Acceptd) to audition during the month of November. Prescreen is not required.
- Early Decision 2 applicants and Trustee applicants: schedule your audition no later than January 3 to attend your audition later that month. Prescreening may be required so be sure to take a look at our Prescreening Information page. Please check your instrument’s audition requirements as well for more information.
We highly encourage all of our applicants to audition or interview in Boston if possible, however, most applicants may submit a final video audition by January 10 through Acceptd in lieu of a live audition.
Bachelor of Music, Music Education
Like the Performance major, all Music Education undergraduate applicants must also
perform an audition according to the repertoire requirements for the appropriate instrument. Visit our
Prescreening Information page and
Audition Repertoire & Portfolio Requirements page for more information.
- Early Decision 1 applicants: schedule your audition by November 1 (through our Online Portal, Acceptd) to audition during the month of November
- Early Decision 2 applicants and Trustee applicants: schedule your audition no later than January 3 to attend your audition later that month
In addition, Music Education applicants are required to meet with Music Education faculty for an interview on the day of their audition.
DID YOU KNOW? BU School of Music also offers a five-year combined Bachelor of Music in Performance/Master of Music in Music Education. The combined 4+1 program offers students the opportunity to complete both a Bachelor of Music in Performance and a Master of Music in Music Education in only five years, allowing students to pursue both their interests. Upon completing the program, students are eligible to apply for licensure to teach music in schools from the Massachusetts Department of Education. For more information about this program, contact assistant professor of music, music education, Diana Dansereau.
Bachelor of Music, Composition & Theory
Composition applicants are accepted based on the strength of their composition portfolio and academic record. Applicants who wish to study with a faculty member on their primary instrument are required to audition. Visit our
Prescreening Information page and
Audition Repertoire & Portfolio Requirements page for repertoire requirements for the appropriate instrument.
For composition applicants who do not wish to take a primary studio audition, they will enter the piano track and may study with an advanced graduate student on piano. This piano track focuses on the keyboard skills necessary as a composer, and not those of a performer.
Composition applicants also need to upload three composition scores through our Online Portal, Acceptd. Scores submitted should be in good manuscript form and should demonstrate knowledge of contemporary music and technical skills.
Scores are due by:
- November 1 for undergraduate Early Decision and Spring Transfer applicants
- January 10 for undergraduate Regular Decision applicants
- March 1 for fall Transfer applicants
Bachelor of Arts, Music
This program is designed for students who desire a broad liberal arts education while exploring the realm of music without a strict focus on performance, composition and theory, or music education. Therefore, no audition is required for BA Music applicants. Students interested in applying must submit their application through the
Common App.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
| November 1 |
Early Decision 1 and Spring Transfer Applicants ONLY
Undergraduate Common App
Submit final recorded audition media
Schedule your live audition via Acceptd |
| November 25 |
BUTI Pre-screening waiver request submission via email* |
| December 1 |
Submit Undergraduate Common App for consideration to receive BU Trustee and Presidential Scholarships |
| December 1 |
Submit your Acceptd application to access the live audition schedule |
| December 1 |
Submit Pre-screening recorded media submissions via Acceptd (if required) |
| January 3 |
Schedule your live audition – All Early Decision 2 (ED2) and Regular Decision (RD) Applicants |
| January 6 |
Undergraduate Common App for ED2 and RD Applicants |
| January 10 |
Submit final portfolio and score requirements via Acceptd (Composition applicants ONLY) |
| January 10 |
Submit final recorded audition media via Acceptd (ED2, Trustee, RD and Transfer Applicants) |
| January 10 |
Submit your piano accompaniment scores (Violin, Viola, Cello, Voice Applicants who are auditioning in person) |
* Applicants must email the admissions team (cfamusic@bu.edu) with their name and which BUTI program they attended. The team will send you a placeholder video for your Acceptd application after verifying your attendance. Any requests submitted after November 25 will not be accepted. The Acceptd portal will automatically close at 11:59PM on December 1 for all programs, except BM in Composition and Music Theory.
Prescreening Video
Some of our programs require a prescreening submission to be invited to a live audition in Boston.
Learn More
Audition Repertoire
Be a step ahead by learning what you need to prepare for your audition.
Learn More
