Undergraduate Admissions

What is a music resume?
A music resume is a document created in the format of your choosing that lists all of your pertinent musical accomplishments.  You can arrange this information however you like; it can be as simple as a list.

Do I have to submit a letter along with the recommendation form, or will just the recommendation form suffice?
We will take whatever you give us.  Simply submitting the recommendation form will suffice for the recommendation letter requirement.  Ideally all recommendation forms are accompanied by a separate letter of recommendation, but simply submitting the recommendation form will be sufficient.

How do I qualify for music scholarships?
All applicants who have auditioned in-person on a regular audition date, who have been admitted to the university by general admissions, and for whom we have a complete School of Music application file will be considered for a scholarship. No additional application is needed.  Most scholarships are offered for a full four-year period and may range on a yearly basis from $500-$10,000.  Music scholarships are only offered to prospective music majors.  Students completing music alongside an additional major still qualify for music scholarships.  For more information on music scholarships, please click here.

Does UW-Madison offer academic scholarships?  What about financial aid?
All academic scholarships are handled outside the School of Music.  To view all the academic scholarships, please click here. For information on financial aid, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at finaid@finaid.wisc.edu / 608-262-3060.  Please note that since academic scholarships and financial aid are handled outside the School of Music, the School of Music will not be able to assist you when applying for those programs.

Can I submit a recorded audition?
Not all instrument areas accept recorded auditions.  Please contact the music Undergraduate Admissions Coordinator at admissions@music.wisc.edu to inquire about recorded auditions.  Please note that students who are admitted to the School of Music via a recorded audition are not eligible for music scholarship consideration.

Can I study more than one instrument at UW-Madison?
You are free to audition on multiple instruments however admission to more than one instrument studio is not common.  Music students are encouraged to focus on one instrument in their college studies.  (An exception to this is made for Music Education students whose primary instrument is piano and guitar.)  Students can continue their studies on a secondary instrument via the Community Music Lessons program.  Please click here to learn more about this program.

The Music Education Area website states, ‘Prospective music education students whose main instrument is piano or guitar must audition on a second instrument (voice or a band/orchestral instrument).’  What does this mean?
Piano and guitar are not currently considered primary teaching instruments in the State of Wisconsin.  Thus Music Education students who want to study piano or guitar as their primary instrument need to audition on a second instrument.  These students will be subject to the same audition standards as all other students and they will need to pass their audition on the secondary instrument.  These students will need to complete a certain numbers of semesters of study on the second instrument in addition to their piano/guitar studies.  Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Coordinator at admissions@music.wisc.edu for more information.

Can I request an application fee waiver for the UW-Madison general application?
According to the Office of Admission’s freshman application page:
Application fee waivers are available for applicants with financial hardship. Students who apply using the UW System Application can print this form and submit it to their school official for verification of hardship and signature. Send the completed form to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Students who apply using the Common Application may request a fee waiver while filling out their application. Your counselor must validate and approve your request for a fee waiver, and then our office will review it and a decision will be made regarding waiver of the fee. If the College Board or the ACT grant you a fee waiver, we will accept it.
For assistance in requesting an application fee waiver, please contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at onwisconsin@admissions.wisc.edu / (608) 262-3961.