Three Steps to Apply

Undergraduate Programs

Use this Check-list to keep track of all the required items. Starting with "Step 1," click on each item (or scroll down) for details. Please consider printing this page—so you can keep track of your progress.

Step 1 – These are the items that we need to receive in order for your application to be complete

Step 2 – Upload selected materials to DecisionDesk

Step 3 – What happens next?

Step 1 – These are the items that we need to receive in order for your application to be complete

Complete and Submit the Online Application by December 1, 2012 (February Auditions) or April 15, 2013 (May Auditions)

This application works with Internet Explorer (version 8 or below) or Firefox. Firefox can be downloaded for free at: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/.

Once started, the application must be completed and submitted. It cannot be saved. Please allow 20 minutes for this process. It will probably take less time if you do a little preparation before starting. Please have the following information at your side:

  • US Social Security Number (If US citizen)
  • If you wish to state a teacher preference you can name two choices. Biographies are listed alphabetically here. You can also find their information on the specific page under Area of Study. A general discussion of how we match teachers and students can be found on our FAQ page. Note: You can change your teacher choice as the year progresses. You must notify us in writing or by email at: admissions@peabody.jhu.edu.
  • You will need the CEEB Code for all schools you have attended. Go to the College Board web site at: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-code-search. Use the drop-down (where it says "Countries") to search by either “High Schools” or by "Colleges & Scholarships". If your school is not listed, you may leave this item blank.
  • List of Audition Pieces. Include composer and title. Refer to your major's specific page under Area of Study for more information.
  • Once you click submit, you will be taken to a page that gives you the option to print your application ("print") or continue to our website ("next"). You also will receive an email confirming that we have received your application.
  • Please submit your payment as soon as possible. Your application will not be considered until the application fee is processed. You will know your fee has been processed when you receive an email containing your ISIS ID. This is the ID you will use in Step 2 (DecisionDesk).

 
***Click this link to start your application.***

Download and Submit the Credit Card Payment Form

Download the form here. Please provide the information for a valid credit card to pay the $115 application fee. We do not accept personal checks. Your application will not be considered until the application fee is processed, so please submit this form immediately after completing the Online Application. You may mail it to us, email it to us at admissions@peabody.jhu.edu, or fax it to us at 410-234-0161.  You will know that your payment has been processed when you receive an email containing your ISIS ID.

 

High School Transcripts

Send High School transcripts after your fall term grades are posted (we would like to receive them by February 1st for February Auditions or April 15th for May Auditions). Double Degree applicants must include another set of transcripts with their applications to Arts and Sciences (or Engineering) at Homewood. International applicants are required to submit all transcripts in English. Peabody’s policy for homeschooled applicants is on the Peabody website here.

Test scores (SAT, ACT, TOEFL)

  • U.S. citizens: SAT or ACT scores must be included with the transcripts, or sent to us by the College Scholarship Service. Our SAT code number is 5532. Our ACT code number is 1730. These test scores are not required for international students.
  • International students: If English is not the native language in your country you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). You will find further discussion of Peabody’s policy on English Language requirements on the FAQ page. If we do not have an official TOEFL score for you by February 1st, your application will be considered “incomplete” and we will be unable to make an admission decision. Our TOEFL code number is 5532.

Recommendation Letters

Submit email addresses for three people who know your musical ability to DecisionDesk. These people will automatically be contacted via email with instructions on how to electronically submit their recommendation. They must submit these recommendations by February 1, 2013 (February Auditions) or April 15, 2013 (May Auditions). Please be sure you have submitted their email addresses in time for them to meet these deadlines. You will enter these during Step 2 of the instructions.

Repertoire List

Upload a “representative list” of the repertoire you have studied in your major instrument or area to DecisionDesk. If your major is composition, list your own works and their instrumentation. Please star (*) repertoire performed in public. Piano or Voice applicants – upload a “complete” repertoire list. You will upload this during Step 2 of the instructions.

Essay on your Most Memorable Musical Experience

Write a short essay (one to two pages in length) about your most memorable musical experience. Optionally (and in a separate note) we would like to hear about any personal or academic issues which might come into play as we process your application. You will upload this during Step 2 of the instructions.

Pre-Screening

PRE-SCREENING VIDEO RECORDINGS are required in the majors listed below for those wishing to audition in person at Peabody: Those auditioning during the USA Schools of Music Tour in Asia are NOT required to submit a pre-screening video recording.

Selections must be performed without editing. The faculty will make its decisions in December or in early January. We should have results to you roughly one month before Audition Week.

Pre-screening video recordings must be uploaded to DecisionDesk (Step 2) no later than December 1st for February Auditions and April 15th for May Auditions.

  • Cello – Go here for Pre-screening and audition repertoire.

Be advised that the cello faculty strongly suggest a live audition in Baltimore. However, if you plan to audition via video recording the cello faculty may initiate additional contact with you before making an admissions decision. Pre-screening is not required for those auditioning at a regional location or by video recording.

  • Composition – (February Interviews Only) Go here for pre-screening portfolio discussion.

Pre-screening is based on your portfolio, so upload your portfolio to DecisionDesk by the December 1 deadline.

  • Flute – (February Auditions Only) Go here for pre-screening and audition repertoire. The flute faculty strongly urges using an accompanist for the video recording, but it is not technically required. Be advised that occasionally the flute faculty will initiate additional contact with an applicant before making an acceptance decision from a video recording. Pre-screening is not required for those auditioning at a regional location or by video recording.
  • Piano – Go here for pre-screening and audition repertoire. Selections on the video recording do not have to be the same ones you will perform for your audition. Piano majors passing the recorded pre-screening must audition in person at Peabody. Please note that we tend to run short of on-campus audition slots. If we have too many applicants after the pre-screening is complete we will schedule auditions in the order the applications were received, so it pays to get your application to us as early as possible.
  • Voice – Go here for pre-screening and audition repertoire. Pre-screening is not required for those auditioning at a regional location or by video recording.

Transfer Release Form for current undergraduate college students

If you wish to transfer to Peabody from another college where you are receiving financial assistance, and if you wish to be considered for financial assistance at Peabody, you must complete a transfer release form and have it signed by the music executive at your current school. You can download this form here.

Permanent Resident/Alien Resident Visa for International Students

Upload a copy of your Permanent Resident/Alien Resident Visa to DecisionDesk. You will upload this during Step 2 of the instructions.

Double Degree Application (only if applying for JHU academic degree)

If you are applying for the double degree with JHU, please send in the double degree application and essay by December 1st. Please go here to download the application. Double degree consideration is in February only. The address is located at the bottom of this page.

Step 2 – Upload selected materials to DecisionDesk

Go to http://www.decisiondesk.com/clients/peabody/apply/welcome/ to establish your account at DecisionDesk. Be sure to enter your ISIS ID where requested. A reminder: You should have received an ISIS ID in the confirmation email you received when you completed the Online Application. You must have the ISIS ID in order to use DecisionDesk.

DecisionDesk requires all material to be uploaded in one session.  You cannot re-open your account once you have clicked submit. 

Applicants are required to upload the following material:

  • Your “Most Memorable Musical Experience” Essay.
  • Names and email addresses for your Recommenders.
  • Video Pre-screening recordings (if required). These must be in place no later than December 1st for February Auditions and April 15th for May Auditions.
  • Repertoire List
  • Permanent Resident/Alien Resident Visa for International Students

DescisionDesk accepts uploads in the following formats:

Audio - mp3, m4a, aiff, wma, wav, aac
Video - mpeg, mpg, mp4, ogg, mov, avi, wmv, m4v, vob
Document - PDF strongly preferred. Also accepted: txt, rtf, doc, docx, xls, xlsx, sib, mus, ppt, pptx
Image - jpeg, png, gif, jpg


Audition Recordings

We also hold regional auditions at a limited number of locations. You can find out where on the Audition Schedule, at: http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/auditions. Regional auditions are not available in Composition, Computer Music, Jazz, Organ, Percussion, or Piano.


Step 3 - What happens next?

Once your application is complete, it is time to prepare for your audition. The following items will help you understand what to expect from us.

Financial Aid Application

(deadline is March 1, 2013 for February Auditions and April 1, 2013 for May Auditions

Please go here for information

Auditions/Interviews

  • About a month before your audition, those auditioning in person at Peabody will receive an invitation from us stating the day and time you are scheduled to perform. Audition requirements are available at each department website (you can find them under Area of Study at the top of this page). The audition is 15 minutes in length. There is also a music theory placement test (20 minutes) and a five-minute ear training test.
  • Accompanists are provided for voice auditions held at Peabody. Accompanists are not required for other majors, but you may bring one if you wish. Voice applicants taking part in regional auditions must provide their own accompanist. Our director of admissions (who records regional auditions) nearly flunked piano when he was a student here. Believe us, you don't want to ask him to try to accompany you. If you can't bring an accompanist to regional auditions for your voice audition, the only option is to withdraw from the regional audition and upload a video recording to DecisionDesk.
  • On the day of your audition, plan to arrive early and check in at the reception area. A warm-up room will be made available approximately 30 minutes before your audition time. If you change your audition repertoire, make 10 copies of the new list of titles to bring with you to your audition.

COMPOSITION, COMPUTER MUSIC, MUSIC EDUCATION, and RECORDING ARTS - An interview with the appropriate faculty will be scheduled along with, or in lieu of, your audition. Note that Recording Arts applicants need not complete a separate application for the university.

When will you learn the results?

Information from your audition, along with the rest of your credentials, will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. On April 1 (June 14 for May auditions), we will send you an email containing audition results and access to other information related to your application. Should your folder be incomplete, the decision will be delayed until we have the missing information (e.g. missing transcripts)

NOTE: Documents and recordings submitted cannot be returned.

Please make copies of all documents for your records.

Mailing address:

Peabody Conservatory Admissions
1 East Mount Vernon Place
Baltimore, MD 21202

 

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