The Ohio State University School of Music

Thank you for your interest in The Ohio State University School of Music, where students enjoy the resources of a large university as well as the benefits of our close-knit School of Music community. More than 70 faculty, including nationally and internationally recognized performing artists, composers, scholars, and master teachers serve a student body of approximately 300 undergraduate and 100 graduate students. The new Timashev Family Music Building provides modern classroom, rehearsal and performance space for students in the School of Music (check out the video at the bottom of this page).  While enrolled in one of our four degree programs, students may wish to complement their music degree with one of over 200 majors and minors and participate in one (or more) of Ohio State's 1,400 student organizations. Whatever your interests, there is a place for you at Ohio State.

School of Music faculty regularly perform with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, and numerous other opera, chamber, jazz, and band organizations. Our student and faculty ensembles frequently tour, commission, record, and are featured at national and international conferences, conventions, and professional meetings. Where will music at Ohio State take YOU?

READY TO APPLY? Be sure to read all the information below before getting started!

Academic admission to the university is separate from the School of Music application and audition process.

• High school seniors should first apply to the university by visiting The Ohio State University Undergraduate Admissions website.
  

• Transfer students: you may proceed with your School of Music application and apply to the university before May 15 so that your autumn semester grades may be included.

APPLICATION DETAILS AND DEADLINES:

• University application deadlines:
  • All incoming freshmen must apply to the university by November 1, 2024, to receive an "Early-Action" decision from the university and be considered for most university merit scholarships.*  The university will accept applications from freshmen until January 15, 2025.
  • Transfer students, complete your university application by May 15. Please visit Transfer Student Admissions for information on university application deadlines and requirements.

• School of Music application deadlines: 
  • Before getting started on your music application, please visit music.osu.edu/apply to determine what additional steps must be taken or if an audition is required for your intended music degree.
  • For the Bachelor of Music (BM), Bachelor of Music Education (BME), Bachelor of Arts (BA) with lessons degrees, apply by Saturday, February 1, 2025, OR two weeks prior to your chosen audition date, whichever comes first.
    • If you are unable to audition on one of our audition days, you have the option of submitting a recorded audition with your application. The deadline to apply and submit a video audition is February 1, 2025 (Except for the BS degree. See below.)
  
  
  • Bachelor of Science (BS) deadlines are as follows. (Note that if you choose not to submit a musical composition for the Computer Sciences track, then an audition is required.) See BS Degree – Required Application Materials. If you choose to ALSO be considered for the BM, BME or BA (with lessons) degrees,  you are required to take an audition. You will have an opportunity to indicate that choice on your application.
    • If NOT taking an audition  — the deadline is Saturday, February 1, 2025.
    • If taking a live audition or submitting a video audition, the deadline is Saturday, February 1, 2025, OR two weeks prior to your chosen audition date, whichever comes first.
  • Students who plan to pursue the Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) but do NOT want to take instrumental or vocal lessons, are not required to audition or submit a music application. However, students should complete this interest form.

• School of Music application fees:
  • For BM, BS, BME and BA (with lessons) degree applications, there is a $18 student application fee.
  • Music application fee waivers are available for those who qualify.

* If you apply to the university by the November 1 "Early Action" deadline, we strongly encourage you to choose the December audition date so that your university admissions decision will not be delayed. If you choose the later audition dates, a final decision may not be made on your university application until audition results are available. Relatedly, students applying Early Action and to the B.S. in Music program without audition, may not receive a University Admissions decision until late February.

AUDITION DATES FOR THE 2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR:

• Saturday, December 7, 2024
• Saturday, January 11, 2025 (no classical saxophone)
• Saturday, February 15, 2025 (no oboe or jazz guitar*)

*Oboe and jazz guitar students who want to schedule a February in person audition should email Tanya Sparks for an alternate date.

All auditions, whether in person or recorded, will receive full and equitable consideration for admission.

If you have any questions about the application and admission process for the School of Music, please reach out to Tanya Sparks, Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator at sparks.348@osu.edu.

For technical questions please check out our Applicant Help Desk.