A. Be sure the degree you indicate is accurate. You may only apply for a DMA or PhD if you have received, or are expecting to receive, your Master's degree before matriculation. If you are uncertain about which degree to apply for, please check the Areas of Study link or email gradadmissions@music.wisc.edu for help before applying. Composition applicants please note that you will be applying for a MM or DMA in Performance.

***IF YOU SELECT THE WRONG DEGREE THIS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY DELAY THE PROCESSING OF YOUR APPLICATION. PLEASE MAKE 100% SURE YOU ARE SELECTING THE CORRECT DEGREE (M.A./M.M./D.M.A./Ph.D.) FOR YOUR FIELD OF STUDY. DO NOT SELECT THE WRONG DEGREE.

B. Enter the name and email of at least 3 recommenders on the online Graduate School application.

Your recommenders will automatically be contacted via email and sent a recommendation form to be returned electronically. This is an easy and secure online process. The School of Music will have access to the letters of reference as they are received by the Graduate School.

C. Complete your Reasons for Graduate Study statement.

D. Once your application is complete (including payment of the $56 application fee), you will receive a confirmation email from webapp@gradsch.wisc.edu. 

***THE GRADUATE SCHOOL ID AND PASSWORD ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC ID AND PASSWORD. PLEASE WAIT FOR AN AUTOMATED E-MAIL FROM THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC THAT WILL BE CALLED "UW School of Music Graduate Applicant".

A user name and password WILL AUTOMATICALLY ARRIVE VIA EMAIL (from gradadmissions@music.wisc.edu) WITHIN 2-3 DAYS FROM THE TIME YOU SUBMIT YOUR GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATION. You will then be able to access the School of Music application. Be sure to keep your user name and password handy as you will need it throughout the application process.

A. The School of Music application is where you will indicate the specific degree program and instrument for which you are applying.

B. KEYBOARD, VOICE/OPERA, WOODWINDS, COMPOSITION and TRUMPET applicants attach your preliminary recording (preliminary MP3 files) to the application. CONDUCTING and STRINGS applicants submit URLs to videos of yourself for review by the faculty (see Video for instructions).

C. Upload the same Reasons for Graduate Study you used with your Graduate School application in PDF format.

D. All MUSIC HISTORY, ETHNOMUSICOLOGY, THEORY and DMA PIANO applicants upload your writing sample(s) in PDF format.

E. If you are re-applying to the School of Music, you should contact the Graduate Admissions Office at gradadmissions@music.wisc.edu.

***IMPORTANT! When steps #1 and 2 above are complete, the Graduate Office can set up your application file. Once there is an application file, we can begin to enter the application materials that have been received in the database. Most of this process is done by hand so allow ample processing time especially around the deadline.***

We strongly advise you to check both your School of Music and Graduate School online application status frequently. It is important that you follow the progress of your applications throughout the entire process.


If you have questions, the easiest and quickest way to contact the Graduate Admissions Office is by email at gradadmissions@music.wisc.edu. Please: Do not call or leave a voicemail!

A. Send TWO official copies of each transcript from any institution of higher education you have attended to the address above.

An official copy comes directly from the university or is in a sealed envelope with an official signature over the envelope flap. Official copies contain the university's seal/stamp. International academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Documents must be issued by the school with the official seal/stamp and official signatures.

*Do not send unofficial or electronic transcripts. We must have official paper copies of each transcript in order to process your application.

*Transcripts are due on December 1 along with all other application materials, so you should request them from your school by November 20 at the latest, allowing ten days for domestic delivery. International applicants should be sure to request their transcripts well in advance of the December 1 deadline.

B. Send supplemental application materials if required in your area of study. See "Admission Requirements" on your Area of Study degree program page. For the majority of applicants, official transcripts will be the only application materials that need to be mailed.

C. International Applicants ONLY:

TOEFL Score (Code for ETS is 1846) Your TOEFL score must be received by December 1, 2012. See Requirements for Admission for score information. A Financial Statement may be necessary to be accepted to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Please DO NOT send financial information unless the Graduate School informs you that this documentation is necessary.