Admissions Requirements
Basic competence in music theory and history is a prerequisite for all graduate degree programs in music. Entering graduate students are required to complete a music theory entrance exam and meet history coursework requirements. Based on exam results and review of the student's transcript, up to 8 points of remedial music theory and/or history coursework may be required. Remedial courses cannot be used to meet degree requirements. Detailed information about department music theory and history entrance requirements is available here.
How to Apply
These instructions and requirements are for all applicants. If you are not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, please read the special instructions for international applicants.
Your application will require the following items. The following are acceptable document types for uploads: .pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .tiff, .png, .doc, .docx, and bitmap.
1. Prepare Your Application Materials
Résumé/CV
You are required to upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae as part of your application.
Statement of Purpose
You are required to upload a typed, double-spaced, two- to three-page statement explaining your purpose in undertaking graduate study in this particular program as part of your application. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself and to inform the admissions committee about your goals, interests, and career plans as they relate to your intended academic pursuits.
Letters of Recommendation
Submit two letters of recommendation. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline. Read detailed instructions on submitting letters of recommendation.
Transcripts
List and upload a copy of an official transcript from every postsecondary institution (college/university) you have attended or are attending. Please note: This includes community college transcripts and transcripts from institutions where you received transfer credits or did not complete a degree. Make sure to request an official transcript(s) in advance of the deadline.
- Transfer Credits: We understand accepted transfer credits may be clearly listed on your degree awarding institution’s transcript. The Office of Graduate Admissions still requires a transcript from the initial credit-granting institution where you took the course(s). Failure to list and upload these transcripts can significantly delay the application review process.
Please note the copy of an official transcript must include the following:
- Name of institution and show institutional logo
- Student name
- Student ID
- Semesters
- Course title and grade received
- Grading scale (if different than 4.0 scale)
- Level of study
- Degree conferral date (if degree granted)
If the transcript(s) submitted do not meet the above requirements, you will be required to submit an official transcript.
Institutions Outside the US or Canada
If you completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the US or Canada, you are required to provide a WES, ECE or TEC/SpanTran international credentials evaluation. Please review our requirements for translation and a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts.
GRE
Not required.
Proficiency in English
See testing requirements.
Pre-Screening Materials
Not required.
Audition
SCHEDULE YOUR AUDITION
Upon submitting your application and materials, please contact Jonathan Haas (jonathan.haas@nyu.edu) and Sean Statser (sjs512@nyu.edu) to schedule your audition date and time. There is no prescreen required for the NYU Percussion Program. Should you be unable to attend a live audition at NYU, applicants may submit audition videos via GetAcceptd. If you are unavailable for the audition dates listed, additional dates can be scheduled on a case-by-case basis with Professors Haas and Statser.
AUDITION DATES
Tuesday, February 16, 2027
Sunday, February 21, 2027
Tuesday, February 23, 2027
Friday, February 26, 2027
Sunday, February 28, 2027
REPERTOIRE
We ask each applicant to the NYU Percussion Program to select and present audition repertoire that reflects their musical interests, strengths, and artistic identity.
If you perform on an unusual percussion instrument or have a specialized area of expertise, we encourage you to include it in your audition. We seek students with curiosity, individuality, and a desire to pursue their own artistic goals, and we encourage you to use your audition to showcase those qualities.
To assist applicants in selecting repertoire that is representative of the percussion literature and well-suited for the NYU audition, we have provided the following list of composers and compositions. These selections are offered as recommendations rather than requirements and are intended to serve as a guide in choosing audition repertoire:
Snare Drum
- A solo piece or etude of the applicant’s choosing (examples include: Deleclue, Cirone, Peters, or similar)
- A rudimental etude of the applicant’s choosing (examples include: Pratt, Wilcoxon, Tompkins, or similar)
Marimba
- A two or four mallet solo piece of the applicants choosing (you will play the entire selection in your audition)
Timpani
- A solo piece or etude of the applicant’s choosing (examples include: Woud, Hochrainer, Deleclue, Carter, Firth, Goodman, or similar)
Chamber Music (Masters applicants only - not required for AD, PHD or DMA applicants)
- Prepare Metric Lips (Marimba I) - You will play this in your audition with members of the NYU Percussion Chamber Music Ensemble
2. Apply
Application
After you fill in and upload the required information, you can submit your completed application. Your application must be completed, dated, electronically signed, and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST of the stated deadline.
Application Fee
You will be prompted to pay a $75 application fee, payable by major credit card only. After submitting your payment, you will see your application status change from “saved” to “submitted.” Please print this screen for your records, as it confirms that your application has been successfully sent to our school. If you have problems submitting your payment, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions. Learn more about our fee waiver policy.
Sending Materials
Most application materials can be successfully submitted via the online application.
If you plan to send application materials, transcript(s) or international credentials evaluation(s) to NYU Steinhardt Office of Graduate Admissions, please review these instructions. Materials sent to other divisions of NYU may not be obtainable by our office and will significantly delay processing.
Application Policies
Application deadlines are "in-office" deadlines, not postmark deadlines. It is your responsibility to ensure that all materials are in the Office of Graduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline, and we reserve the right to return any application that arrives after the deadline. Only completed applications will be considered. Should a deadline fall on a weekend, the in-office deadline will be the next business day. We advise you to apply early.
Please check the online system to confirm that you have successfully submitted your application. Due to the volume of applications and related materials received, the Office of Graduate Admissions will only contact you if your application was successfully submitted and is deemed incomplete because of missing required materials. Otherwise, you will hear from us when the admissions committee has made its decision.
Deferral policy: NYU Steinhardt does not allow deferrals. Applicants who wish to be considered for a future semester must reapply by submitting a new application with all supporting materials, including letters of recommendation, by the application deadline.
3. Receive Your Admission Decision
Decision
You will be notified about your decision by email. Typically, decisions will start going out in late November for Spring semester enrollment and in late March or early April for Summer or Fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid, Scholarships and Cost of Attendance
- Learn more about applying for financial aid.
- Learn more about scholarship opportunities.
- Learn more about cost of attendance and tuition and fees.