Thank you for your interest in the Department of Music as you prepare to apply to the University. Applications to the PhD Programs in Composition and Musicology are conducted through the Princeton University Graduate School. Please consult their website for detailed application guidelines, deadlines, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Graduate Program in Composition: Open Houses
Tuesday, October 25, 2022: Virtual Only (Zoom link provided upon registration)
Tuesday, November 29, 2022: In-Person Only (Edward T. Cone Graduate Seminar Room, Woolworth Center)
4:30pm – 6:30pm
An opportunity for prospective Composition Ph.D. applicants to meet faculty members and learn more about the Graduate Program in Composition. Attendees of the in-person open house on November 29 may also stay for a Princeton Sound Kitchen concert at 8:00pm featuring new works by Princeton composers.
Applicants to both programs must submit:
- Statement of Academic Purpose
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Recommendation Letters
- Transcripts
- TOEFL Results (as relevant)
Applicants to the Program in Composition must also submit:
- Composition Selections (~3 works), with scores (if appropriate) and recordings if possible
- Writing Sample (optional)
Applicants to the Program in Musicology must also submit:
- Samples of their best written work (seminar papers, senior thesis, published articles)
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, or its foreign equivalent, from an accredited college or university. You may apply to only one department, program, or combined program per year.
Decisions are made in late February or early March. Students who are accepted into the program will be invited for a campus visit to meet the faculty and students.
We encourage applicants to visit Princeton University’s campus during the fall semester of the application period for an opportunity to meet the faculty and current graduate students, and to tour the facilities. There are also two Open Houses each fall. You can check out our public Calendar to find information about attending an event during your visit.
Please contact us if you would like to receive updates on the graduate application process, including notifications of upcoming Open House events and important deadlines. Please note that individually scheduled appointments are not possible for graduate admissions.
