How to Audition

University Application Deadlines

• Early Decision I: November 1
• Early Decision II: January 1
• Regular Decision: January 1
• Transfer Applicants: April 1

Submit Your Portfolio

Portfolio must be submitted online via GetAcceptd by the appropriate deadline noted below. All materials must clearly indicate the applicant's name and NYU ID Number (if applicable), the program applied to, and the contents of the file. When initiating the portfolio submission process on GetAcceptd please make sure to select the correct program group, Music Theory and Composition, and program – Music Theory & Composition: Bachelor of Music (including Concert Music, Screen Scoring, and Songwriting concentrations).

The undergraduate Composition portfolio must contain:

• Three or four scores of original works in different instrumentation and style, and audio recordings of at least two of them.
• (Optional) In addition to the three or four scores, you have the option to  submit examples of your work with visual media (no score is required for this if you created the music in your DAW).
• A video with a performance of two pieces in contrasting styles on an instrument of your choice. One of these pieces may be a composition of your own, but at least one (and, if you prefer, both) of them must be a work by a composer other than yourself. After recording the performance we encourage you to also include no longer than two minutes discussing your musical and personal background as well as your goals if accepted into the program. This can be filmed at the same time as the performance footage and submitted as one video. The performance and discussion should be uploaded as one file according to our GetAcceptd guidelines.
• A brief written statement of purpose or goals in the program.
• Your resume.

Portfolio Deadlines

• Early Decision I: November 1
• Early Decision II: January 1
• Regular Decision: January 1
• Transfer Applicants: April 1

Schedule Your Interview

All applicants are required to submit their portfolio materials prior to being invited for either an on-campus or phone/video interview. Below are specific guidelines for Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Regular, and transfer applicants.

Early Decision I

All prospective students applying for Early Decision I are required to have either an on-campus or a phone/video interview. Once you have submitted your application and portfolio, please use our online scheduling system to schedule your interview.

Early Decision II

All prospective students applying for Early Decision II are required to have either an on-campus or a phone/video interview. For Early Decision II we suggest a phone/video interview, however on-campus interviews can be arranged upon request. If you are applying Early Decision II and would like to request an on-campus interview, please make that request by December 15; we may not be able to accommodate requests made after December 15. Once you have submitted your application and portfolio, please use our online scheduling system to schedule your interview.

Regular Decision

Interviews for prospective students applying for regular decision are by invitation only. All prospective students applying for regular decision are required to submit their portfolio materials prior to being invited to interview. After submitting your portfolio, your materials will be reviewed by our faculty. If, following the review, we require an interview, you will be sent an email invitation no later than January 24. We will offer the option of either an on-campus or a phone/video interview for invited applicants. Instructions for scheduling the interview will be included in the invitation email. 

Please be aware that interviews are only requested if the faculty would like more information on an applicant that would warrant an interview. Not being asked to interview does not mean you have been rejected.

Transfer

Interviews for prospective transfer students are by invitation only. All prospective students applying for transfer into the composition program at NYU Steinhardt are required to submit their portfolio materials prior to being invited to interview. After submitting your portfolio, your materials will be reviewed by our faculty. If, following the review, we require an interview, you will be sent an email invitation. We will offer the option of either an on-campus or a phone/video interview for invited applicants. Instructions for scheduling the interview will be included in the invitation email. 

Please be aware that interviews are only requested if the faculty would like more information on an applicant that would warrant an interview. Not being asked to interview does not mean you have been rejected.

Interview Dates

Please note that interviews for Regular Decision and Transfer applicants are by invitation only. See the above section (Schedule Your Interview) for guidelines concerning interviews for all applicant types. Please also note the portfolio deadline for each audition date. Applicants must first submit their portfolios before being invited to interview.

Note for Early Decision II applicants: While you may attend the November 16 on-campus interview day, please note that in order to do so you must submit your portfolio materials prior to that date. Otherwise, we encourage Early Decision II applicants to schedule phone or video interviews during the week of January 13. If you would like an on-campus interview you must request one prior to December 15. If you request an on-campus interview prior to that date we will be able to arrange one for you the week of January 13.

Note for prospective transfer students: Though NYU's deadline for Fall transfer admission is April 1, we suggest that you submit your Common Application at least one month in advance so that faculty can review your materials, and if necessary allow sufficient time to schedule an interview. Please note that invitations for transfer students are by invitation only as outlined above.

Interview Details and Requirements

Interviews will include a short discussion of your background as a musician and composer, your goals for the program, and may include a discussion of works in your portfolio as well as brief testing of music theory fundamentals.