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Frequently Asked Questions

	Do music applicants have to apply to both the College of Music and the University?
	*FSU Application for Admission* - All music applicants are required to submit an application for admission to FSU, as well as all supporting documents required by the University (e.g. academic transcripts, standardized test scores, etc.). Applicants are urged to contact the FSU Office of Admissions or visit the FSU Admissions website for specific information regarding University admission requirements. *FSU College of Music Supplemental Application* - Applicants to all degree and certificate programs in music must submit the completed College of Music Supplemental Application directly to the FSU College of Music Office of Admissions. Please note that application deadlines for the College of Music differ from FSU's application deadlines.
	Do I need to wait to be admitted to the University before I can submit my application to the College of Music?
	No. Please do not wait. Both applications can be filed at the same time.
	I have not taken the SAT, ACT or GRE, but I am asked to supply the score on the application. Should I wait until I have taken the test before I apply?
	No, please do not wait. Since the official scores will be sent to FSU anyway, we can get them when they are available. If you know your score, we ask that you "unofficially" let us know on the application.
	Do I have to audition? I’m applying for a non-performance degree.
	All undergraduate applicants must audition successfully in order to be considered for admission and merit-based financial aid. Graduate non-performance applicants: Please know that an applied music assessment is a part of most master's and doctoral programs in the College of Music. Non-performance graduate applicants are not assessed until actually arriving on campus for course enrollment and placement. Many non-performance students choose to complete this requirement during orientation week, prior to the start of the semester along with other curricular placement activities. This requirement must be completed by the end of the first term. Composition, Music Theory, Music Therapy, and Musicology students are exempt from this requirement.
	What is a Statement of Objectives or Statement of Purpose?
	If this is required by your degree program, applicants should prepare a brief statement of their professional goals, as well as their purpose in applying for the particular program.
	What is a Repertoire List and will I be asked to perform anything on the list at my audition?
	A Repertoire List is simply a listing of significant solo literature you have studied or performed in the past. You will not be asked to perform any of these works at your audition. You will only be asked to perform what you have selected to perform at your audition. Applicants to degree and certificate programs in performance are encouraged to prepare a detailed list of the repertoire they have studied.
	Letters of Recommendation
	Undergraduate applicants are required to submit at least one letter. Graduate applicants are required to submit at least three letters. These letters should be from persons familiar with your academic and professional background.
	Do I need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
	The GRE IS required if you are applying for Musicology, Ethnomusicology, or PhD Music Theory (highly recommended for MM Music Theory applicants) otherwise the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is NOT required for admission. If you wish to be considered for a University Fellowship and you are applying for a non-performance degree, then YOU MUST SUBMIT A GRE SCORE. Please call the Graduate Music Office (850-644-5848) for details (Fellowship applications are due by early January, and your file MUST be complete by December 1st. Please check this site for specific deadlines http://gradstudies.fsu.edu/funding.html. Test scores that are more than five years old at the time of application are not accepted.
	Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
	In addition to all other application and audition requirements, all applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Both paper-based, computer-based and internet-based scores are accepted. Test scores that are more than five years old at the time of application are not accepted. A note to all international applicants who are not native speakers of English and wish to be considered for a Teaching Assistantship.
	Financial Support Documentation
	In accordance with U.S. immigration guidelines, all international applicants are required to submit documentation of sufficient financial support.
	Examinations
	*Placement Tests* - *Undergraduate* Undergraduate transfer students who have had formal study in core music fields such as music theory and music history may take the appropriate placement examinations prior to their first semester at FSU, but if you have college credit, it is usually granted as transfer credit when evaluated by the Theory Faculty. The theory examinations are normally administered during the week prior to the start of classes each semester. There are no real placement tests in Music History, rather a transcript evaluation by the History Faculty. *Music Graduate Entrance Examinations* Achievement tests in various areas of musical study are required of all entering graduate students prior to the first semester in residence. These examinations are normally administered during the week prior to the start of classes each semester.
	I am a graduate student who has been admitted to the College of Music. How may I confirm (or decline) my attendance?
	During the months of May and/or June you will receive correspondence from the Graduate Music Office requesting that you notify the College of Music of your enrollment intent for the upcoming academic year. If you wish to confirm your attendance prior to receiving such correspondence, you may certainly do so by sending an email to Lauren Smith: lmsmith2@fsu.edu.
	When will I be notified if I have been awarded a Graduate Assistantship by the College of Music?
	The date by which meritorious offers of financial funding become binding is April 15th. As an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music, the FSU College of Music permits students to choose, without penalty, among offers of admission and financial aid until April 15 of the calendar year of matriculation. The College of Music begins awarding graduate assistantships after the conclusion of the final on-campus audition date; typically in early-to-mid March. If you are awarded a graduate assistantship you will be notified immediately. Please note that in order to be considered for this funding opportunity you must be a fully-admitted applicant, to both the College of Music and to the University.
	Where can I find information on Fellowships offered through the University?
	This information can be found on The Graduate School’s website: http://www.gradstudies.fsu.edu/.
	Will I be notified if I have not been awarded a Graduate Assistantship by the College of Music?
	Graduate assistantship award letters are sent only to those who have been awarded a graduate assistantship by the College of Music. If you do not receive a graduate assistantship award letter in the first-round of offers, you may still be eligible to receive one during the second and/or third round of assistantship offers. Please also note that if you do not receive a graduate assistantship during your first year as a graduate student in the College of Music, that doesn’t mean you won’t be considered for an assistantship during your second year at the graduate-level. Assistantships are awarded to academically-deserving students every Fall and Spring semester. For additional information on Graduate Assistantships, please visit the online Graduate Music Handbook: http://music.fsu.edu/Current-Students/Graduate/Graduate-Music-Student-Handbook
	When do Orientation activities begin for incoming graduate students?
	Graduate Orientation (Fall) occurs the week before classes begin in August. Information is found here.
	Am I required to participate in orientation activities?
	Orientation is mandatory for all new, incoming students. In addition to important information being shared (registration for classes, etc.) mandatory placement examinations are held during Orientation. The only exception would be if you are an incoming doctoral student who has graduated with an FSU College of Music master’s degree. If you fit this description, and have gone through the orientation process before, you are not required to participate in all of the orientation activities. However, it is suggested that you confirm with your area coordinator as they may require your participation in an area-specific event.
	When do new graduate students register for classes?
	New graduate students will not enroll for classes at FSU until they arrive on campus for orientation, placement testing, and advising by their Major Professor. Major Professors are assigned to each incoming graduate student by the Area Coordinators.

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