Graduate Application Checklist

COMPLETE applications must be postmarked by December 15th to be considered for scholarships and assistantships. The final application deadline for entrance/admission only is April 15th; applications incomplete as of this date will not be considered. You are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete when submitted.

Postmark deadlines for admissions:
  • International Students (Summer or Autumn quarters only): November 1
  • For Scholarship Consideration (Autumn quarter): December 15
  • For Admission Only (Autumn quarter): April 15
STEP 1: Send the following admission materials to:

University of Washington Office of Graduate Admissions
PO Box 84808
Room 301, Loew Hall
Seattle, Washington 98124-6108

  • Graduate Admissions Application; submitted online along with the online application fee. Application is found here.
  • Official GRE scores (general exam) if applying for Music Education, Music History, Music Theory, and Composition. UW Institution Code: 4854.

**International applicants should also include:

  • One copy of official transcripts from ALL previously attended colleges or universities.
  • TOEFL scores (minimum scores required for unconditional admission: 580 paper test, 237 computer test, 92 internet test). UW Institution Code:4854. Although the Graduate School does not require the TOEFL if you have completed a U.S. college degree, the School of Music DOES require the TOEFL of ALL INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS WHOSE NATIVE LANGUAGE IS NOT ENGLISH, EVEN IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED A U.S. DEGREE.
STEP 2: Send the following admission materials to:

Brenda Banks, Graduate Advisor
University of Washington
School of Music
Box 353450
Seattle, WA 98195-3450

  • Signed copy of online Graduate Admissions application.
  • One copy of official transcript from ALL previously attended colleges or universities (required for all applicants).
  • Three letters of recommendation from people familiar with your academic and/or professional work. An online recommendation letter function is available with the online application to the Graduate School.
  • Statement of Purpose: Please indicate how graduate study will contribute to pursuing your professional and personal goals.
  • Audition videotape if applying for a performance degree or Choral Conducting and residing more than 1,000 miles from Seattle. If applying for Choral Conducting, please submit a videotape of a recent performance and/or rehearsal. If applying for Music Education, please submit a videotape of a recent lesson. If applying for Wind Conducting, please submit a tape of a recent performance.
  • Compositions, including scores and recordings, if applying for Composition.
  • Scholarly writing samples, if applying for Ethnomusicology, Music Education, Music History, or Music Theory.
  • Musical resume if applying for Wind Conducting.

To be considered for a Graduate Assistantship, also submit the following:

  • Graduate Assistantship application form (must be received no later than December 15th). The form is found here.

PLEASE NOTE: All application materials become the property of the School of Music once submitted and WILL NOT be returned to applicants.