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.
All performance applicants who wish to be considered for talent-based scholarship awards must submit their application materials by January 6 and submit their prescreen videos by December 15. Once deadlines have passed, you may be considered for admission on a space-available basis and for talent-based scholarships if funds remain available. US students should also file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1 to be considered for student loans and other school-based scholarships.
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
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
Upload one official copy of transcripts from every postsecondary school you have attended or are attending. Make sure to request them in advance of the deadline.
If you completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the US or Canada, you are required to provide a WES or ECE 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
Applicants for Collaborative Piano are required to submit pre-screening videos by December 15. All pre-screening videos must be submitted through GetAcceptd.
Pre-Screening instructions
Applicants are required to submit five short separate videos. Each video should include an introduction and performance of a single composition (or excerpt).
- Each video introduction should include you clearly saying your name, the city you are from, and the composer and title of the work you are going to present.
- Four collaborative selections should be included. Depending on your area of specialization, they may include instrumental chamber works (no more than 5 performers, including piano); classical song or opera arias; or popular/musical theatre songs (ballads, pop-rock, or compositions from composers such as George Gershwin, Kurt Weill, Stephen Sondheim, Adam Guettel, Jason Robert Brown, Leonard Bernstein.)
- One solo piano selection must be included demonstrating your technical, interpretive, and expressive strengths.
Applicants with questions should contact Dr. Manuel Laufer at mlf351@nyu.edu.
Audition
Pre-screen materials will be reviewed by the Artist Faculty. Select applicants will be sent an email invitation with instructions on how to schedule an audition, as well as details on what to prepare for your audition. The live audition will include sight reading as well as performance of prepared repertoire.
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.
Mailing Additional Items
If any application materials need to be mailed to our office, mail the materials to NYU Steinhardt, Office of Graduate Admissions, 82 Washington Square East, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10003-6680. Please do not mail your materials in binders or folders. Any mailed materials must be received by, not postmarked by, the stated deadline. Only completed applications will be considered and reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt of mailed materials.
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 early April for Fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.