Many factors are considered in evaluating your application for admission to the College of Music, including musical background and prior training in music, current music performance proficiency, academic preparation and accomplishment, and other important qualities or characteristics as revealed by essays, letters of reference, and interviews.

Successful College of Music applicants have extensive prior experience in music (including private study), the ability to read and sight-read music notation, an understanding of music fundamentals or basic music theory, and elementary piano skills.

Music performance proficiency is assessed through the audition evaluation process. For most auditions, students are asked to prepare two or more musical selections of contrasting style. In some instances, scales and sight-reading are also required. Music composition applicants also are required to submit scores and recordings.

Prior academic performance in high school (grades, quality of course work) and college readiness (SAT/ACT scores) are considered very important indicators of music major success. Music majors routinely are among the most academically capable or gifted students admitted to CU-Boulder. Compare your academic profile to the average academic qualifications for Fall 2008 freshmen admitted to the College of Music (see below):

Interviews, conducted by faculty, also are required for BME, BA Musicology, and BM Composition applicants.